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Views #252 | Intermediate 4

Fatherhood

Norman talks about his children.

Script
Vocab
Quiz


Norman	Todd

Todd: Norm, you have three children right?

Norm: Yes, I do. I'm very lucky.

Todd: What do your children do? What kind of jobs do they have?

Norm: Well, my oldest one he works for Frito Lay, which is a company owned by Pepsi Cola. He's a regional manager which means he has the whole province of Ontario and he is responsible for distribution for.. he handles big budget, we're talking about millions of dollars here and he is a problem solver. When an area does not make profit or if they have problems then they send him there to fix the problems. He's very good at that. He has very good human communication skills and he sees problems and he sees solutions that please everyone, so he's very successful. I have my daughter, who does many things. She works in the circus industry. She teaches at Cirque de l'Arc in Quebec and she's also has her own busker act with a friend and she also teaches trampoline at the circus school and she also competes. She's an international athlete. She came 7th at the world competitions in Hamburg last fall and synchronized trampoline. And my youngest son, he's in computers. He enjoys it very much. He works for a big consulting company. They have contracts, government contracts and he sets up the database and trains the government people so that they can use the computers to for example, monitor medical files of the people of the province.

Todd: Wow, you must be really proud. You have three amazing kids.

Norm: Thank you. They worked hard. Yes, and they're.. they like also to experience different things so there all in that kind of field where they can change job when they find that the job is not as interesting anymore, so they ask for transfers and that's the way they like it.

Todd: Well, you're one cool guy Norman. I'm not surprised that you have three successful children.

Norm: Thank you, Todd. Very kind of you.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

very lucky

I'm very lucky to have three children

If you feel like you have good fortune or that something positives has happened by chance then you are 'very lucky.' Notice the following:

He hasn't been very lucky lately.
You are very lucky that nobody was hurt in the car accident.

problem solver

My son handles big budgets; he is a problem solver.

A 'problem solver' is a person who looks for good, practical solutions to situations. Notice the following:

Nobody is going to tell you what to do. They expect you to be a problem solver.
This job requires you to be a problem solver.

communication skills

My son has very good communication skills; he sees solutions that please everyone.

'Communication skills' are the ability to explain what you are thinking or need to other people and understand their responses. This can refer to words, as well as personal interaction and if people feel comfortable with you. Notice the following:

Politicians should have good communication skills, not just read speeches.
He is extremely intelligent, but doesn't have the right communication skills for the job.

busker

My daughter has her own busker act with a friend, and she also teaches trampoline at the circus school.

A 'busker act' is entertainment that usually involves singing or dancing in an informal setting. Notice the following:

There was a really good busker act outside the restaurant.
The cinema does not allow busker acts in front of its doors.

synchronized

She came in 7th for synchronized trampoline.

If things are 'synchronized' they happen at the same time. In this case, performing the same actions as another person on the trampoline. Notice the following: