AMERICAN ENGLISH

The 6th Lessons – Salsabila Aulia Putri

Sources : learningenglish.voanews.com

Pronunciation-1

There’s one simple thing you can do to help you sound more confident speaking
English, even when you don’t feel confident.
It’s really easy.

Make sure your voice goes down at the end of a sentence. It’s called ‘falling pitch’ or
‘falling intonation.’

When you’re voice goes up at the end of a sentence, it sounds like you’re really unsure
of what your saying. It sounds like you’re asking a question. When you voice goes down
at the end of a thought or a sentence, you sound much more confident.

Pronunciation-2

Listen carefully:

I tried to ignore him…

I don’t think he was all that bright.
What was he thinking?

Pronouns are functions words. They’re grammar words. They need to be there for the
sentence to be grammatically correct, but they’re not important words. Function words
are not fully pronounced in a sentence.

When any pronoun with h is in the middle of the sentence (and NOT at the beginning),
you don’t need to pronounce the h. You can drop the h, and then link the pronoun to the
previous consonant sound.

Then he becomes /ðɛni/

was he becomes /wəzi/
ignore him becomes /ɪgˈnoɚɪm/

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Small Restaurant’s survive

Many small, family-owned businesses in the United States are struggling to survive.
Along with the sluggish economy, they face competition from big box chain stores and
restaurants. This week on VOA program, we visit a Washington, DC restaurant and
learn how they are competing successfully for customers.

The restaurant business is very competitive in the United States and many people
choose to eat out at well-known chain restaurants. So how are small, family-owned
restaurants making ends meet? We visited Primo Family Restaurant in suburban
Washington. It is an example of a small, family-owned operation where business is
booming.

It is another busy day at Primo Family Restaurant , a popular dining spot in Alexandria,
Virginia for more than 25 years. C.A. Savoy says he does not like the atmosphere or
food at the chain restaurants. Instead, he enjoys eating at Primo’s.

“Everything in here is home cooking. It’s all fresh food and delicious.”

Server Tina Mitrakas has worked at Primo’s since it opened.

“I like the customers. Everybody is friendly. I like the people I work with. It’s like my
second home.”

Lynne Sepple’s son Nick is here, celebrating his birthday.

“My son has been here since he was six days old. He’s been here once a week since
then.”

Mary Wise often stops by Primo’s after work. She plays the role of Martha Washington,
wife of the first United States president, at nearby Mount Vernon. It is the home and
property where George and Martha Washington once lived. Ms. Wise says she enjoys
Primo’s because it feels comfortable.

“It is a place where you can consistently have good food, not too expensive. You know
you’re never going to be ever confronted with something that’s a surprise. I think people
like that.”

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Another appeal, she says, is owner Jim Nicopoulos.

“I like to get involved with my clients. I find out about them. I touch them. I have to be
involved with my customers and my staff at the same time.”

Everyone calls him Jimmy, including Mr. Savoy and his wife, who are long-time
customers.

“We’ve become part of Jimmy’s family now. He refers to Joyce and I as his mother and
father.”

Primo Family Restaurant is truly a family business -- from the photos on the wall, to the
dining area, where his father-in-law seats patrons. And in the kitchen, Jimmy’s cousin
Spiro Routoulas prepares Greek specialties.

“He’s a funny guy. He comes inside the kitchen and tastes whatever I make. Oh, it’s
fun.”

“It’s quality control, Greek-style.”

Besides the food and friendliness, Jimmy says Primo’s has another appeal over the
chain restaurants.

“Big chains have to go through processes of buying their foods from large industries and
distributors. We can get our produce local. We can get our meats.”

Elizabeth Bessel notices the difference and stays away from the nearby chains.

“I just don’t find the food to be that great. When I eat here, Jimmy will come up to the
table and tell us that he got that produce from somebody’s farm.”

Jimmy says he thinks there is room in the neighborhood for both family and chain
restaurants. His customers agree.

“It’s been here for 25 years. I see it being here 25 more years.”

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The Community College Option

Suppose you are thinking about attending college in the United States. But perhaps you
might not be ready for a university with a four-year program.

About 88,000 international students have found a solution. They are attending US
community colleges. Such colleges are sometimes called junior colleges. They offer two
years of education above the secondary, or high school level.
At the end of their study program, they receive a document of completion called a
certificate. Other students work toward an associate degree in traditional academic
subjects like science or history. Some students with associate degrees move on to
attend a four-year college or university. They may have only two years of study left
before they receive a bachelor’s degree.

Many educational experts agree that saving money is a good reason to consider a
community college. The American Association of Community Colleges says a public
two-year college costs an average of $3,000 a year.

A student at a four-year public college may pay more than $8,500 a year for classes
and user fees.

International students may need more preparation in English before entering a four-year
school in the United States. For example, Istref Montgomery came to the US from
Kosovo in 2006. He soon will graduate from the University of Maryland’s University
College.

But he did not begin his college-level education at the university. First, he spent three
years at a Maryland junior college with -- by chance -- the same name as his last name.
He worked to improve his English at Montgomery College for a year. Then, for the next
two years, he attended classes in basic subjects.
Some international students at two-year colleges need to find a place to live. Most
community colleges do not provide student housing on their grounds. But Mr.
Montgomery had a home nearby.

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Grammar section

Either/or and neither/nor

1.Either / or - used in a sentence in the affirmative sense when referring to a choice

between two possibilities

~We can either eat now or after the show - it's up to you.

2. Neither / nor - used in a sentence in the negative sense when you want to say that
two or more things are not true

~Neither my mother nor my father went to university.

Singular or plural

When using either/or and neither/nor, note the following rules:

1. If both elements are singular, then the verb is singular too.

 Either the father or the mother has to attend the meeting.

(father and mother are singular; so the verb has is singular too)
 Neither Leila nor Nancy is going to write the report.
(Leila and Nancy are singular; so the verb is is singular too)

2. However, if one of the elements is plural, then use a plural verb.

 Either Sue or the girls are going to prepare dinner tonight. (the
girls is plural; so the verb are is plural too)
 Neither the teacher nor the students were in the classroom this
morning. (the students is plural; so the verb were is plural too)

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1. In this game, you __ win __ lose. It depends on you. (neither – nor / either or)
2. ___ Sue ___ Sara will help you with your homework. They are both busy at the
moment. (neither – nor / either or)
3. This is my offer. You ___ take it ___ leave it. (neither – nor / either or)
4. When I go to the restaurant, I eat ___ fish ___ roast chicken. These are my favorite
meals. (neither – nor / either or)
5. His father believed ___ his son ___ his friend. He thought that both were lying. (neither
– nor / either or)
6. I need ___ your help ___ your compassion. I can perfectly handle my problems all
alone. (neither – nor / either or)
7. ___ Charly ___ Bill will write the report. Just ask one of them. (neither – nor / either or)
8. ___ you return the money you had stolen ____ I'll call the police. (neither – nor / either
or)
9. My mum can ___ read ___ write. She is illiterate. (neither – nor / either or)
10. You can use ___ this computer ___ the other one. Someone must fix them first. (neither
– nor / either or)

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