Elementary podcasts -> Podcast 03 Home -> Like to meet
This page has the online practice materials for:
LearnEnglish Elementary Podcast Magazine No. 03
Section 2 -I'd like to meet...
You can listen online or download the podcast at Podcast 03 Home
You can also get print versions of the practice materials below in our Download Podcast 03 Support Pack (pdf file - 454 KB)
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This section begins when the counter on your audio player is on (approximately) 02.15
Section 2 is based on someone talking about somebody or something they like. It helps you to practise speaking for a little bit longer – for example, when you're explaining something, or telling people something about yourself.
Suggestion: The best way to practise is with a friend who speaks English or is also learning English. However, if you can't find someone, you can send us a paragraph in English.
You listened to Martin from Glasgow talking about why he would like to meet Jonathan Ive. Is there a famous designer that you’d like to meet? It might be a designer like Jonathan Ive or a fashion designer or even an architect. If you can think of someone, make some notes to answer these questions.
What’s his/her name?
What nationality is he/she?
If he/she isn’t alive now, when did he/she live?
What did he/she design?
Why do you like the things he/she designs?
Do you like the person or just the designs?
What would you like to talk to him/her about?
What questions would you like to ask him/her?
Now put your notes together to write a paragraph about the person and why you’d like to meet her. Go to the bottom of the page to do this.
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Transcript
Ravi: Now let’s move on to our ‘I’d like to meet’ section. In this part of the podcast we ask people a simple question – which famous person, dead or alive would you like to meet? And we ask them to explain why. And today on ‘I’d like to meet’ we’ve got Martin with us. Hello Martin. Welcome to the podcast.
Martin: Hello Ravi. Hello Tess.
Tess: Hi Martin. And where are you from?
Martin: I’m from Glasgow – the biggest city in Scotland.
Tess: But Glasgow isn’t the capital city, is it.
Martin: No, Edinburgh’s the capital city, but Glasgow’s a lot bigger. And we call it the shopping capital of Scotland - we’ve got great shops in Glasgow. It’s a great city.
Ravi: I’d like to visit sometime. I’m the king of shopping – ask Tess, she knows.
Tess: It’s true.
Ravi: Now it’s time for the question. So Martin, which famous person, dead or alive would you like to meet?
Martin: I’d like to meet Jonathan Ive.
Ravi: Jonathan Ive? I don’t know who he is.
Martin: Not very many people know his name – he’s English but he works for Apple, the computer company - he joined the company in 1992 – he’s a vice president now I think - and he’s the man who designed the iMac and the iPod.
Ravi: Wow. The man who invented the iPod!
Martin: No, he didn’t invent it – he’s a designer, he designed it. He’s designed other things too, of course, but the iMac and the iPod are my favourites – they’re design classics.
Tess: OK. And why did you choose Jonathan …
Martin: Ive. Jonathan Ive.
Tess: …Jonathan Ive to talk about today?
Martin: Well, I’m a student and I study design – industrial design. And for anyone who studies industrial design, well, Jonathan Ive is the king, you know, he’s a genius, he’s the most important industrial designer in the world. The most important thing for industrial designers is function - you know – what something is used for, what it can do. And with computers speed was the most important thing. Nobody cared what they looked like, people just wanted them to be fast, really fast. But when Jonathan Ive designed the iMac for Apple, he designed something beautiful, and people loved it. It was still a good computer and very easy to use, but they also loved the way it looked – the round shape, the colours – and they all bought it, it was very, very popular. I got my first iMac in 1999 - it was orange, bright orange – it was beautiful - and I think that was the moment when I first decided to be a designer.
Ravi: And what about the iPod?
Martin: Well, the iPod looks fantastic too. It’s another example of perfect design. First, it’s a fantastic idea – it changed the way that millions of people listen to music – even the Queen’s got an iPod. And then, it’s really easy to use, and finally, it’s incredibly beautiful, it’s beautiful to look at - that’s what perfect design is. And that’s why he’s my hero.
Tess: And is there a special question that you’d like to ask Jonathan Ive?
Martin: I’d like to know why he doesn’t want to be famous, why he doesn’t like publicity. Perhaps he’s shy - but he never talks about his personal life, he never goes to social events, you never see his picture in magazines. Everyone in the world knows the iMac and the iPod, but nobody knows the name Jonathan Ive. I suppose I’d like to ask him how he feels about that.
Ravi: Well, I’ve learnt something today.
Tess: So have I. Thank you very much Martin.
Martin: You’re welcome.
Ravi: I’d like to know what the Queen listens to on her iPod! And don’t forget, we’d like to hear from you, our listeners. Tell us which famous person, dead or alive, you’d like to meet – and why.
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Continue to: Practice materials: Section 3: Quiz
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