Speak English All Day with One Question: Hear Do You Want To in Fast Conversation and Answer It Warmly
Have you ever heard someone say “joo-wanna” and froze for a second? The episode opens with that moment (00:00) and with Emily’s honest answer: “You repeat the last word, and you hope for the best.” (00:06)
This is not a vocabulary lesson. For about 44 minutes Paul and Emily follow one short question, Do you want to…?, through an ordinary day: breakfast in the kitchen, a first day at the office, lunch at a noodle place, weekend plans, a shoe shop, a phone call and a voice message. Each stop has a short scene, one idea, and a pause where you answer out loud.
The episode is for B1 and B2 learners (00:16). The English is clear and the speed is friendly. Each fast sound is said slowly first, then at normal speed, so you can hear how it closes up.
Watch the episode: Watch the episode on YouTube
Time: about 44 minutes to listen. The practice below takes about 20 minutes. The chapter list is at the bottom if you want to listen in pieces.
Before you listen: think of three questions someone asked you this week, in a shop, at work or with a friend. Did any of them start with “Do you want…”? After the episode, see how many you would now catch at full speed.
How to use this page: listen once and enjoy the stories. Then come back to the phrase table and the practice, and play the listening challenge (33:42) again, saying the full version out loud before Emily does. The full transcript is at the bottom if a line goes too fast.
What You’ll Learn
- How d’you wanna hides the four words do you want to, and why you only need to hear it, not say it
- The want some rule: a thing after want has no to; only an action can become wanna
- Why I want him to call me never becomes I wanna him
- How to tell an invitation from a refusal by the first sound of a fast sentence
- The three speeds of English: understand the fast one, speak at the middle one
- Casual and formal: D’you wanna sit down? and Would you like to sit down?
- How to answer in a full, kind sentence: a warm yes, a gentle no, and Can we make it eight?
- What to listen for on the phone, and how to answer a voice message
- Everyday chunks: catch up, try it on, water the plants, split the bill, go over
- The line of the episode: Hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Key Idea
Hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Paul says it first at 27:39, and it comes back when the hosts talk about writing (32:52) and at the end (42:23). It gives each skill its own speed: your ears learn the everyday sound, your mouth uses a clear, friendly speed, and your writing keeps the full form.
Paul’s Story: Two Warm Rolls (00:54)
The episode’s first story is Paul’s, and he calls it “a little embarrassing.” At a small bakery he ordered a cinnamon roll, and the baker asked a quick question. All he caught was “one” somewhere in the middle (01:11), so he said, “Yes, two, please.” (01:17) The baker had asked, “Do you want to have it warmed up?” (01:35) Paul got two warm cinnamon rolls and a slightly confused baker.
The lesson is in Emily’s reply: “The problem wasn’t your vocabulary. It was the speed and the shape.” (02:34)
Why the Words Zip Together (02:54)
Paul explains that English has strong words and weak words. The strong words carry the news; the weak words are helpers, and they get short and soft. In Do you want to eat, the news is eat. His picture is a zipper: “Do-you-want-to” are the teeth, and the main verb is the pull you hold (03:27).
Then the hosts open the zipper in three steps. Do you becomes d’you (03:50). Want to becomes wanna. Then you put them together: d’you wanna. They practice it with short, useful questions: D’you wanna come in? D’you wanna hold this? D’you wanna borrow my pen? One more detail: in a simple yes-or-no question the voice usually rises at the end, which sounds friendly, not like an order.
Three Speeds of English (05:40)
Emily adds that there is not only one speed (05:43). Speed one is careful speech, “That’s how a teacher dictates.” Speed two is normal, friendly speech. Speed three is busy, real-life speech, almost one long word: “Joo-wanna-sit-down.” You hear it in shops, cafés and offices, because people there repeat the same questions all day. Emily compares it to a path in a park that gets smooth when many people walk the same way (06:32).
Her advice for learners is clear: “Your job is to understand speed three, and to speak at speed two.” (06:51)
Morning: Want Some Tea or Want to Make Tea (07:19)
Before the kitchen scene, Paul gives the rule that saves you from a common mistake (07:31). Want plus a thing has no to: “Do you want some tea?” Want to plus an action can become wanna: “Do you want to make tea?” That is why D’you wanna tea? sounds as if the question lost a piece.
There is a second warning. When a person stands between want and to, as in I want him to call me, the two words do not touch, and nothing zips. Emily sums it up: “They must touch.” (08:41) The kitchen scene then puts both rules to work: “D’you want some tea?”, “D’you wanna make the eggs?”, “D’you wanna borrow my scarf?” and “D’you wanna drive today?”
Is Wanna Bad English? (09:58)
Many learners think wanna is lazy or rude. Paul’s answer is a picture: “Wanna is like a pair of jeans.” (10:16) Want to is the smart suit. Both are real clothes; you wear them in different places. For writing he is direct: don’t write wanna in a work email. But for listening he says, “Your ears need the jeans. Your mouth can choose.” (11:00)
Emily adds a third level. With a customer, a manager or an older person you do not know well, many people choose “Would you like to.” (11:19) She also warns about the opposite problem, a bare command such as “You sit here.” (11:50) A question like D’you wanna sit here? gives the other person a choice, and “people like having a choice.”
First Day at the Office (12:36)
Paul and Emily swap roles for a first-day scene. Emily is the new person, and Paul is the friendly colleague: “D’you wanna walk around the floor?” (13:08) “D’you wanna meet the design team first?” “D’you wanna take the corner desk?” Emily answers each one with a short reason or reaction, for example “Oh, I’d love that. I like natural light.”
The hosts then say what the scene shows: “On a first day, a small invitation means a lot.” (13:42) Understanding d’you wanna helps you make friends faster, because it is “how relationships start.”
Invitation or Refusal: Read the Number Plate (14:17)
Two sentences can sound close at speed: D’you wanna… and I don’t wanna… One is an invitation, the other a refusal. Paul’s trick is to read the first sound, like the number plate of a car (14:44). His rule: “If there’s no I or we at the start, it’s usually an offer.” (14:55) If you hear I or we first, it is usually a no.
Emily tests it with four examples: D’you wanna grab a coffee? (invitation), I don’t wanna stay late. (refusal), We don’t wanna miss the bus. (refusal) and D’you wanna go over the agenda? (invitation, and go over means to check something together).
Saying No to Your Manager (15:40)
Now a harder case: your manager invites you, and you cannot go. In the role play, Emily asks, “Paul, d’you wanna join the client call at twelve?” (15:57) and Paul answers with three pieces: a thank you, “Thanks for thinking of me”, a clear reason, and another option, “Could I listen to the recording later?” (16:35) He does not say I don’t wanna, because with a manager that sounds like you do not care. “I’d really like to, but” is safer.
The chapter ends with three repair phrases for the days when the fast question flies past: “Sorry, could you say that a bit slower?” (17:15), “Sorry, did you say, do you want to?” (17:21) and “I got the last part. What was the first part?” (17:37) Both hosts add a small tip: you can hear a smile on the phone, so smile before you answer.
Lunch Role Play: Your Turn (18:08)
At a noodle place, Emily is the server and Paul is the customer. First you listen to Paul’s answers (“Inside, please.” “Yes, please.” “After, if that’s okay.”). Then the hosts show how an answer can grow in steps (19:13): Yes. becomes Yes, please. and then “Yes, please. An egg makes it better.” (18:43) A no grows the same way, up to “No, thanks. I’m trying to eat less today.” (19:39)
Then it is your turn. Emily asks five questions, with a pause after each, and Paul gives an example answer. After the pauses, Emily shares what she learned working in a café: the same five questions, a hundred times a day, and a brain that is “already waiting for it, like a friend at the station.” Paul adds his own count: on one Monday he heard eleven invitations (21:57).
Weekend Plans: Can We Make It Eight? (21:44)
In the weekend scene Emily invites Paul to a film. Paul likes the plan but not the time: “Can we make it the eight o’clock?” (22:39) He says yes to the plan and changes the detail. Emily calls it a phrase that “saves invitations”, and offers another: “How about seven instead?” (23:27) The point is that there are more than two answers, yes or no. Often the plan is fine and only the time is wrong.
Emily’s Story: The Shoe Shop (23:32)
Emily’s own embarrassing story is about a shoe shop. The assistant asked, “D’you wanna try the other size?” (23:50) and Emily said only “No.” The assistant went quiet and walked away. “The answer is correct, but the feeling is wrong,” says Paul. Emily now thinks of each question as a door: you can walk in, or close it gently.
The hosts then build the polite answers. Three ways to say yes: “Sure, I’d love to.” (24:35), “Sounds good.” and “Yes, please. That would be great.” Three ways to close the door gently: “Not right now, but thanks.” (24:50), “Maybe later. I’m okay for now.” and “I’ll think about it, thank you.” Emily’s idea is to prepare one soft no before you go out, like “No, thank you. I’m just looking.” (25:43)
Review with Our Stories and an Ear Test (26:10)
Paul and Emily go back to each little story: the bakery, the tea in the kitchen, the corner desk, the noodle place, the shoe shop. They repeat the key line of each. They also mention two cousins of the sound, lemme for let me and gimme for give me (27:24), which you only need to recognize.
Then comes the ear test: four fast sentences, and you decide whether each is an invitation or a refusal before Emily gives the answer. The four are D’you wanna join us for lunch?, I don’t wanna be late again., We don’t wanna take the stairs. and D’you wanna share a taxi home?
Three Common Mistakes (28:28)
Emily and Paul name three small mistakes that make a speaker sound uncertain. Number one: using wanna with a thing, as in “D’you wanna a coffee”; the correct version is “D’you want a coffee”, or more politely, “Would you like a coffee.” (28:35) Number two: “I wanna him to call me.” There is a person between want and to, so nothing zips (28:54). Number three is about answering: someone asks “D’you wanna sit inside or outside” and the learner says “Yes.” But it is a choice, so the answer should be one of the choices (29:07).
Phone Calls and Voice Messages (29:40)
Phone calls are hard in another language because there is no face to help. Emily’s tip is to listen for the strong words: “Watch, Friday, seven. That’s the whole message, really.” (30:15) Then she leaves Paul a voice message (“Hey Paul, it’s Emily. D’you wanna watch the match at my place on Friday?” 30:37) and the hosts unzip it into the full version.
Paul calls back and says yes with a change: “Can we make it after eight?” In his offer to help he asks, “D’you want me to bring anything?” (31:15), which is the person-in-the-middle pattern again. In a second call, Emily says no with a reason and another time. The chapter ends with a writing rule: in a text to a close friend people may type wanna, but in a work email or an essay you write the full form (32:42). Last, you leave your own voice message, with a model yes and a model gentle no.
Listening Challenge: 8 Fast Questions (33:42)
A three-step challenge: Paul says a fast sentence, you pause and say the full slow version, and Emily says the full version and you answer. The eight questions are about everyday things: catch up over lunch, try it on first, water the plants, split the bill, come with us to the market, help with that box, call your mum back, practise one more time. Emily explains the chunks as they come: “Catch up means talk and share your news after some time apart.” (34:49)
Afterward, Emily admits that number four, the bill question, was the hardest, because the second half rushes: “Or-should-I-pay.” If that happens, it is fine to ask again. The end of the chapter adds two small things: a schwa, the weak sound in wanna (37:40), and the advice to say it with “a relaxed mouth, not with a tight mouth.”
Shadowing Story: One Day in Ten Lines (38:19)
Emily reads one ordinary day in ten short lines, from “Morning. D’you want some coffee?” to “Sure, I’d love to. You choose.” You repeat each line right after her. Paul then shares his shadowing routine: three minutes in the kitchen while the kettle boils, copying the rhythm on day one, the words and rhythm on day two, and saying it without the recording on day three (39:36).
Five Invitations for You (39:52)
The promise from the start comes true: five invitations, and you answer all five with full sentences (39:54). Emily asks, there is a short pause, and Paul gives one example answer. Then comes Emily’s neighbour story and one last role play on the stairs, with four questions and four warm answers.
Today’s Action and Your Challenge (42:31)
The hosts finish with one small action for today: ask one real person a question with “Do you want to”, and when someone invites you, answer with a full sentence (42:06). Three big ideas close the episode: listen to the start like a number plate, use want some with a thing and wanna with an action, and treat every invitation as a door. Their challenge for the comments: write one invitation that starts with “Do you want to”, then one polite answer to it (42:53).
Useful Language from the Episode
| Phrase | Meaning | Example from the episode |
|---|---|---|
| d’you wanna + verb (03:50) | fast form of do you want to + verb | “D’you wanna sit down?” |
| want some + thing (07:31) | the offer of a thing: no to | “D’you want some tea?” |
| want me / him to + verb (31:15) | a person in the middle: no wanna | “D’you want me to bring anything?” |
| Would you like to (11:19) | a more formal offer | “Would you like to leave your bags here.” |
| Sure, I’d love to (24:35) | a warm yes | “Sure, I’d love to.” |
| Not right now, but thanks (24:50) | a gentle no | “Not right now, but thanks.” |
| Can we make it…? (22:39) | keep the plan, change the time | “Can we make it the eight o’clock?” |
| catch up (34:49) | talk and share news after time apart | “D’you wanna catch up over lunch?” |
| try it on (35:06) | put on clothes, shoes or glasses to test them | “D’you wanna try it on first?” |
| water the plants (35:22) | give plants a little water | “D’you wanna water the plants before we eat?” |
| split the bill (35:33) | each person pays part | “D’you wanna split the bill or should I pay?” |
| go over (15:30) | check something together | “D’you wanna go over the agenda?” |
Mistake and Repair
| Often said | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
| D’you wanna a coffee. | D’you want a coffee? or Would you like a coffee? | A thing after want has no to (28:35). |
| I wanna him to call me. | I want him to call me. | A person between want and to means nothing zips (28:54). |
| Answering Yes. to sit inside or outside? | Inside, please. | It is a choice, not a yes-or-no question (29:07). |
| Answering only No. to an offer (written for this page) | No, thank you. I think I’ll leave it for today. | A bare no can sound cold (23:50). |
| You sit here. | D’you wanna sit here? or Would you like to sit here? | A question gives the other person a choice (11:50). |
| I don’t wanna. to your manager (written for this page) | I’d really like to, but… | With a manager, a thank you, a reason and another option sound more careful (16:35). |
| Wanna meet on Monday? in a work email (written for this page) | Do you want to meet on Monday? | In writing, use the full form (32:42). |
Practice with the Episode
1. Invitation or refusal?
Read each sentence as if you heard it fast, and decide.
- D’you wanna grab a coffee?
- I don’t wanna stay late.
- We don’t wanna miss the bus.
- D’you wanna go over the agenda?
- I don’t wanna be late again.
- D’you wanna share a taxi home?
Answers
- Invitation: it starts with d’you, no I or we.
- Refusal: it starts with I.
- Refusal: it starts with we.
- Invitation: open start.
- Refusal: it starts with I.
- Invitation: someone offers to share.
2. Want or wanna?
Choose want or wanna for each gap.
- D’you ___ some tea?
- D’you ___ make the eggs?
- D’you ___ some water?
- D’you ___ borrow my scarf?
- D’you ___ me to bring anything?
- D’you ___ some help with that box?
Answers
- want (a thing: some tea)
- wanna (an action: make)
- want (a thing: some water)
- wanna (an action: borrow)
- want (a person in the middle: want me to)
- want (a thing: some help)
3. Grow the answer
Make each short answer longer in two steps: add please or thanks, then add one small detail.
- D’you wanna add an egg? → Yes.
- D’you wanna add an egg? → No.
- D’you wanna pay now or after you eat? → After.
Sample answers
- Yes, please. → Yes, please. An egg makes it better. (the model from the episode)
- No, thanks. → No, thanks. Just the noodles. (an example answer from the episode)
- After, please. → After, if that’s okay. (the model from the episode)
4. Say it out loud
- Say the ten lines of the shadowing story (38:19) right after Emily, then once without her.
- Choose two invitations from the five at 39:52, and answer each one with a full sentence and one kind detail.
- Ask one real person a question that starts with Do you want to…, and write their answer in the comments.
Keep Practicing
Do you want to hear the pairs side by side and answer them without freezing? Read Do You Want Some or Do You Wanna? Hear Fast Invitations in English and Answer Them, a short guide that puts want some, wanna, want me to and the invitation-or-refusal clue in one place, with exercises and answers.
Chapters
- 00:00 One Sound You Hear Every Day
- 00:54 Paul’s Story: Two Warm Rolls
- 02:54 Why the Words Zip Together
- 05:40 Three Speeds of English
- 07:19 Morning: Want Some Tea or Want to Make Tea
- 09:58 Is Wanna Bad English?
- 12:36 First Day at the Office
- 14:17 Invitation or Refusal: Read the Number Plate
- 15:40 Saying No to Your Manager
- 18:08 Lunch Role Play: Your Turn
- 21:44 Weekend Plans: Can We Make It Eight?
- 23:32 Emily’s Story: The Shoe Shop
- 26:10 Review with Our Stories + Ear Test
- 28:28 Three Common Mistakes
- 29:40 Phone Calls and Voice Messages
- 33:42 Listening Challenge: 8 Fast Questions
- 38:19 Shadowing Story: One Day in Ten Lines
- 39:52 Five Invitations for You
- 42:31 Today’s Action and Your Challenge
Full Transcript
Paul: Have you ever heard someone say “joo-wanna” and froze for a second?
Emily: Oh, I’ve done that. You repeat the last word, and you hope for the best.
Paul: And later you realize they asked you something simple.
Emily: Welcome to English Practice Daily. I’m Emily.
Paul: And I’m Paul. This episode is for B1 to B2 learners.
Emily: In this podcast, we talk like friends, and you practise with us.
Emily: Today we follow one short question through a whole day of real conversation.
Paul: You will hear it fast, say it clearly, and answer it.
Emily: At the end, five people will invite you to things.
Paul: And you will answer all five, out loud. If you want, repeat after us.
Emily: So, Paul. Before we start, I think you have a story.
Paul: I do. And it’s a little embarrassing.
Emily: Good. Those are the best ones.
Paul: It was a Saturday morning, around eight o’clock.
Paul: I went to the small bakery near my flat.
Paul: I ordered one cinnamon roll, in a paper bag.
Paul: Behind the counter, the baker leaned forward and asked me a quick question.
Emily: Something like “joo-wanna-havit-warmed-up”?
Paul: Exactly that. All I caught was “one” somewhere in the middle.
Paul: So I said, “One?” And she nodded. So I said, “Yes, two, please.”
Emily: Oh no. I’m guessing that didn’t go well.
Paul: Two warm cinnamon rolls. And a slightly confused baker.
Emily: Well, two warm rolls is not a terrible result.
Paul: True. But I paid for a question I didn’t understand.
Paul: She only asked, “Do you want to have it warmed up?”
Emily: Seven words in a book. One quick sound at the counter.
Paul: And that’s the whole idea of this conversation, really.
Emily: Here’s the plan. First, why the words stick together.
Paul: Then we practice saying it, slowly and then naturally.
Emily: After that, we walk through a normal day with it.
Paul: Morning, work, lunch, the weekend, the phone, the evening.
Emily: And then it’s your turn to answer.
Paul: Because hearing the question is only half the job.
Emily: The other half is not saying “Yes, two” to a baker.
Paul: Thank you, Emily. I will never live that down.
Emily: But honestly, your story shows the real problem.
Emily: You knew every word in that question. Every single one.
Paul: That’s what surprised me. Do, you, want, to, have, warmed, up.
Paul: All easy words. I learned them years ago.
Emily: The problem wasn’t your vocabulary. It was the speed and the shape.
Paul: Right. My ears were waiting for the textbook version.
Emily: And the real version arrived in a completely different shape.
Paul: So today isn’t really about new words.
Emily: No. It’s about recognising old words in their everyday clothes.
Emily: So, Paul, explain why a clear question turns into one sound.
Paul: Because English has strong words and weak words.
Paul: The strong words hold the main message. They get the energy.
Paul: The weak words are helpers. They become short and soft.
Emily: In “Do you want to eat,” which words are strong?
Paul: Mainly “eat.” That’s the real news in the question.
Paul: “Do,” “you,” and “to” are only helping it.
Emily: So the helpers get squeezed together.
Paul: Here’s how I picture it. It’s like a zipper.
Paul: “Do-you-want-to” are the teeth of the zipper.
Paul: When you speak quickly, they close tightly together.
Emily: And the main verb is the little pull you hold.
Paul: Yes. You hold the verb clearly. The rest closes up.
Emily: I like that. The verb stays big. The helpers zip.
Paul: Let’s open the zipper slowly first. Three steps.
Emily: Step one. “Do you” becomes “d’you.” Almost “joo.”
Paul: Listen. Do you. D’you. D’you.
Emily: Say it with us. D’you.
Paul: Step two. “Want to” becomes “wanna.”
Paul: The “t” sounds almost disappear. Want to. Wanna.
Emily: Your turn. Wanna.
Paul: Step three. Put them together. D’you wanna.
Emily: D’you wanna.
Paul: Now we add a strong verb at the end.
Paul: D’you wanna sit down?
Emily: D’you wanna sit down?
Paul: Notice what my voice did there.
Paul: “Sit down” was clear and a little louder.
Paul: “D’you wanna” was quick, like a small run-up.
Emily: Let’s do a few more. Short and useful ones.
Paul: D’you wanna come in?
Emily: D’you wanna come in?
Paul: D’you wanna hold this?
Emily: D’you wanna hold this?
Paul: D’you wanna wait here?
Emily: D’you wanna wait here?
Paul: D’you wanna call me later?
Emily: D’you wanna call me later?
Paul: D’you wanna borrow my pen?
Emily: D’you wanna borrow my pen?
Emily: Paul, I want to say something honest here.
Paul: Of course.
Emily: When I learned English, nobody taught me this sound.
Emily: My books always wrote the full, careful version.
Emily: So in real life, I heard a word I couldn’t find.
Paul: Because it isn’t really a new word.
Paul: It’s the same four words, just zipped closed.
Emily: That felt like a relief when I finally understood.
Paul: One more thing before we move on. Your voice.
Paul: In a simple yes-or-no question, it usually rises at the end.
Paul: D’you wanna sit down? It goes up on “down.”
Emily: It sounds friendly, not like an order.
Paul: Right. If your voice falls, it can sound a bit cold.
Emily: Let’s say one more time, slowly and then fast.
Paul: Do you want to take a seat?
Emily: Do you want to take a seat?
Paul: D’you wanna take a seat?
Emily: D’you wanna take a seat?
Paul: Great. That’s the sound. Now let’s use it all day.
Emily: Wait, before the day starts, I want to add one thing.
Emily: There isn’t only one speed. I think there are three.
Paul: Three speeds. Tell me more.
Emily: The first speed is careful speech. Every word is separate.
Emily: “Do. You. Want. To. Sit. Down.” That’s how a teacher dictates.
Paul: Nobody talks like that at a party.
Emily: No. The second speed is normal, friendly speech.
Emily: “Do you wanna sit down.” The words start to connect.
Paul: And the third speed is busy, real-life speech.
Emily: Right. “Joo-wanna-sit-down.” Almost one long word.
Emily: You hear the third speed in shops, cafés, and offices.
Paul: Because people there are busy. They repeat the same questions all day.
Paul: A waiter might say that sentence two hundred times a shift.
Emily: So of course it gets shorter. It’s like a path through a park.
Emily: When hundreds of people walk the same way, the path gets smooth.
Paul: I like that. Busy questions become smooth paths.
Emily: Here’s my advice for speaking. Use the second speed.
Emily: You don’t need the third speed to sound natural.
Paul: That’s a really important point for learners.
Paul: Your job is to understand speed three, and to speak at speed two.
Emily: Let’s hear one sentence at all three speeds.
Paul: Speed one. Do. You. Want. To. Open. The. Window.
Emily: Speed two. Do you wanna open the window.
Paul: Speed three. Joo-wanna-open-the-window.
Emily: Now you try speed two. Do you wanna open the window.
Paul: Good. That’s clear, friendly, and completely natural.
Emily: And the day starts where every day starts. The kitchen.
Paul: Before we cook, there’s one small rule you need.
Paul: It saves you from a very common mistake.
Emily: I think I know. This is the “want some” rule.
Paul: That’s the one. Look at two questions.
Paul: First, “Do you want some tea?”
Paul: Second, “Do you want to make tea?”
Emily: The first one has a thing. Tea.
Paul: Yes. “Want” plus a thing. There’s no “to” there.
Emily: And the second has an action. Make.
Paul: Right. “Want to” plus a verb. Only this one becomes “wanna.”
Emily: So I can say, “D’you wanna make tea?”
Paul: Yes. But you don’t say, “D’you wanna tea?”
Emily: That sounds strange. Like the question lost a piece.
Paul: For the thing, the fast version is “D’you want some tea?”
Paul: You hear “want,” and you hear “some.”
Emily: Okay. Thing, no “to.” Action, “wanna.”
Paul: And one more warning, because people try it.
Paul: Sometimes we want another person to do something.
Paul: “I want him to call me.” “I want her to come.”
Emily: I’ve heard people say “I wanna him to come.”
Paul: That one is wrong. There’s a person in the middle.
Paul: The zipper only closes when “want” and “to” touch.
Emily: That’s a good way to remember it. They must touch.
Paul: Now, the kitchen. It’s seven thirty in the morning.
Emily: I’m making breakfast. You just walked in, half asleep.
Paul: Morning. Something smells good.
Emily: Morning. D’you want some tea? The water’s hot.
Paul: Yes, please. Just a little milk.
Emily: D’you wanna make the eggs? I’m slicing some fruit.
Paul: Sure. Scrambled or fried?
Emily: Scrambled. D’you wanna add some cheese?
Paul: Definitely. It’s that kind of morning.
Emily: Oh, and it’s freezing out there. D’you wanna borrow my scarf?
Paul: That would be great. Mine is still in the wash.
Emily: D’you wanna drive today? I can give you the car keys.
Paul: No, thanks. I’d rather take the bus in this cold.
Emily: Fair enough. But you’re bringing my scarf back.
Paul: Deal. I promise it will come home clean.
Emily: Let’s look back at the tea question.
Paul: That one was a thing. “Want some tea.” No “wanna.”
Emily: And the eggs, the cheese, the scarf, and the car.
Paul: All actions. Make, add, borrow, drive. All “wanna.”
Emily: Let’s repeat the morning lines. Slowly first.
Paul: D’you want some tea?
Emily: D’you want some tea?
Paul: D’you wanna make the eggs?
Emily: D’you wanna make the eggs?
Paul: D’you wanna borrow my scarf?
Emily: D’you wanna borrow my scarf?
Paul: Now I want to clear up a worry many learners have.
Emily: The “Is wanna bad English?” worry.
Paul: That one. Some people think it’s lazy or rude.
Paul: Or they think they’ll sound fake if they use it.
Emily: I used to think that. It felt like slang.
Paul: Here’s how I see it. Wanna is like a pair of jeans.
Paul: “Want to” is like a smart suit.
Emily: And both are real clothes.
Paul: Exactly. You just wear them in different places.
Paul: In a kitchen, at a café, with friends, you wear jeans.
Paul: In a formal email, you put on the suit.
Emily: So when I write, I always write “do you want to.”
Paul: Yes. Don’t write “wanna” in a work email.
Paul: But when you speak, the jeans are completely normal.
Emily: Friendly teachers use it. Your favourite actors use it constantly.
Paul: And you don’t have to wear jeans every day.
Paul: You can speak the full version. People understand it.
Emily: The most important part is understanding the fast one.
Paul: Right. Your ears need the jeans. Your mouth can choose.
Emily: There’s one more level I want people to know about.
Emily: Sometimes “wanna” is too casual for the situation.
Paul: You mean with a customer, or a manager.
Emily: Yes. Or with someone much older that you don’t know well.
Emily: Then many people choose “Would you like to.”
Paul: “Would you like to sit down.” It’s the same offer.
Paul: It’s just wearing a nicer jacket.
Emily: At a hotel desk, the staff often say, “Would you like to leave your bags here.”
Emily: Between friends, the same offer becomes, “D’you wanna leave your bags here.”
Paul: And both are polite. One is more formal than the other.
Emily: A small problem I hear from learners is the opposite.
Emily: They use the very direct form with everyone.
Paul: Give me an example.
Emily: Like a guest arrives, and the learner says, “You sit here.”
Paul: Oh. It’s grammatically fine, but it sounds like an order.
Emily: Exactly. The words are correct. The feeling is too strong.
Paul: So the better version needs a choice in it.
Emily: “D’you wanna sit here?” or “Would you like to sit here?”
Emily: The question gives the other person a choice.
Paul: And people like having a choice. It feels respectful.
Emily: One more example. A friend looks tired, and you say, “Drink water.”
Paul: That sounds like a doctor, not a friend.
Emily: The friendly version is, “D’you want some water?”
Paul: And that’s a thing again. “Want some water.” No “wanna.”
Emily: Nice catch. You’re getting good at this.
Paul: I’ve had a lot of practice. Mostly at bakeries.
Emily: Okay. Breakfast is done. Paul has my scarf.
Paul: And now I’m at work. But it’s not a normal day.
Emily: Let me guess. It’s your first day.
Paul: It’s your first day, actually. You’re the new person.
Emily: Oh, I remember that feeling. New badge, no idea where anything is.
Paul: And everybody speaks quickly, because they’re busy.
Paul: So I’m the friendly colleague. Let’s begin.
Emily: Ready. Hi, I’m Emily. Today’s my first day.
Paul: Welcome, Emily. I’m Paul. D’you wanna walk around the floor?
Emily: Yes, please. I keep getting lost already.
Paul: That’s normal. D’you wanna meet the design team first?
Emily: Sure. I think they’re the people near the plants.
Paul: That’s them. D’you wanna take the corner desk? Nobody uses it.
Emily: Oh, I’d love that. I like natural light.
Paul: Good choice. D’you wanna look at the meeting calendar together?
Emily: That would really help. I don’t know any of the times yet.
Paul: No problem. It’s all on the board here.
Emily: Thanks, Paul. You’ve made this much less scary.
Paul: That’s something I believe about invitations at work.
Paul: On a first day, a small invitation means a lot.
Emily: It really does. It tells you, “You belong here.”
Paul: And if you’re the new person, you’ll hear many of them.
Paul: Coffee, lunch, a quick tour, a meeting, a training session.
Emily: So understanding “d’you wanna” helps you make friends faster.
Paul: Exactly. It’s not just grammar. It’s how relationships start.
Emily: That’s a lovely way to think about it.
Paul: And a comfortable answer helps both people relax.
Emily: A good invitation is often the start of a friendship.
Paul: Now here’s something interesting from that scene.
Paul: Imagine someone near you says a sentence very fast.
Paul: It might be “D’you wanna” or “I don’t wanna.”
Emily: Oh, those two sound really close at speed.
Paul: They do. One is an invitation. The other is a refusal.
Emily: Very different meanings. Almost opposite.
Paul: So the trick is to listen to the very first sound.
Paul: I think of it like a car’s number plate.
Paul: You can’t read the whole car, but you can read the plate.
Emily: And the plate is the first sound of the sentence.
Paul: Right. If there’s no “I” or “we” at the start, it’s usually an offer.
Paul: “D’you wanna join us?” That’s someone inviting you.
Paul: If you hear “I” or “we” first, it’s usually a no.
Paul: “I don’t wanna join them.” That’s someone saying no.
Emily: Let me say a few quickly, and I’ll tell you which is which.
Emily: D’you wanna grab a coffee? That’s an invitation. No “I.”
Emily: I don’t wanna stay late. That’s a refusal. It starts with “I.”
Emily: We don’t wanna miss the bus. Again a refusal. It starts with “we.”
Emily: D’you wanna go over the agenda? Invitation. Open start.
Paul: And “go over” means to check something together.
Emily: Like reading the slides one more time before the meeting.
Paul: Exactly. We’ll test your ears on this a little later.
Emily: Before lunch, let’s try a harder situation at work.
Paul: Sure. Tell me the problem.
Emily: Your manager invites you to something, and you can’t go.
Paul: Ah. That’s a little stressful. Saying no to a manager.
Emily: Let’s play it. I’m your manager. It’s half past eleven.
Emily: Paul, d’you wanna join the client call at twelve? It might be useful.
Paul: Oh, thanks for thinking of me. I’d really like to.
Paul: But I have an important appointment with the budget report until one o’clock.
Paul: Could I listen to the recording later instead?
Emily: That’s fine. I’ll send you the link this afternoon.
Paul: Great, thank you. I’ll be free after one.
Emily: That was a very professional no.
Paul: I tried to use three small pieces.
Paul: First, a thank you. “Thanks for thinking of me.”
Paul: Second, a clear reason. “I have to finish the report.”
Paul: Third, another option. “Could I listen to the recording later?”
Emily: Thank you, reason, option. That works almost everywhere.
Emily: Notice that Paul didn’t say “I don’t wanna.”
Paul: No. “I don’t wanna” is fine with close friends, when you’re joking.
Paul: But with a manager, it sounds like you don’t care.
Emily: So, at work, “I’d really like to, but” is much safer.
Paul: And you keep your friendly voice the whole time.
Emily: Let me add one more tool for the days when you miss it.
Emily: Sometimes the fast question flies past, and you catch nothing.
Paul: It happens to everyone, even to native speakers on a bad day.
Emily: So here are three repair phrases you can keep in your pocket.
Paul: Number one. “Sorry, could you say that a bit slower?”
Emily: Sorry, could you say that a bit slower?
Paul: Number two. “Sorry, did you say, do you want to?”
Emily: Sorry, did you say, do you want to?
Paul: That one is clever, because you show what you understood.
Emily: The other person only needs to say yes or no.
Paul: Number three. “I got the last part. What was the first part?”
Emily: I got the last part. What was the first part?
Paul: Notice how calm and polite all three are.
Emily: Nobody feels attacked, and nobody feels embarrassed.
Paul: A calm voice is half of the repair.
Emily: And a smile on the phone changes your voice, too.
Paul: Really, you can hear a smile. Try it in the mirror, then on a call.
Emily: It sounds silly, but it works. Your voice becomes warmer and softer.
Emily: Good. First, I’m hungry. It’s lunchtime.
Paul: Let’s go to the little noodle place around the corner.
Emily: And this time I’m the server. You’re the customer.
Paul: We’ll do it twice. First, I answer. You just listen.
Emily: Then you will be the customer, and you’ll answer me.
Paul: Here we go. Lunch, round one.
Emily: Hi there. D’you wanna sit inside or outside?
Paul: Inside, please. It’s a bit windy today.
Emily: Of course. D’you wanna see the menu, or do you know already?
Paul: I already know. The beef noodle soup, please.
Emily: Good choice. D’you wanna add an egg? It’s one pound extra.
Paul: Yes, please. An egg makes it better.
Emily: And d’you want something to drink?
Paul: Just some water, thanks.
Emily: Lovely. D’you wanna pay now or after you eat?
Paul: After, if that’s okay.
Emily: No problem at all. Enjoy your lunch.
Paul: Notice my answers. They were short, but complete.
Paul: I didn’t just say “Yes.” I said what I wanted.
Emily: “Inside, please.” “Yes, please.” “After, if that’s okay.”
Paul: Let me show you how an answer can grow, step by step.
Paul: The basic answer is just “Yes.” It’s correct, but very short.
Emily: The better answer is “Yes, please.” It adds politeness.
Paul: The natural answer is “Yes, please. An egg makes it better.”
Emily: That last part adds a little personality and warmth.
Paul: And people respond to warmth. The conversation continues.
Emily: Same with no. The basic answer is “No.”
Paul: The better answer is “No, thanks.”
Emily: The natural answer is “No, thanks. I’m trying to eat less today.”
Paul: You don’t need the third level every time.
Paul: But once or twice in a conversation, it makes a big difference.
Emily: It changes you from a customer into a person.
Paul: Small answers like that sound friendly and clear.
Emily: Now it’s your turn. You’re the customer.
Paul: I’ll stay quiet. Emily will ask you. You answer out loud.
Emily: After each question, there’s a short pause for you.
Paul: Then you’ll hear an example answer. Any good answer is fine.
Emily: Hi there. D’you wanna sit inside or outside?
Paul: For example, “Outside, please. It’s sunny.”
Emily: D’you wanna see the menu first?
Paul: For example, “Yes, please. I need a minute.”
Emily: D’you wanna add an egg? It’s one pound extra.
Paul: For example, “No, thanks. Just the noodles.”
Emily: D’you want something to drink?
Paul: For example, “Some green tea, please.”
Emily: D’you wanna pay now or after you eat?
Paul: For example, “Now is fine. Here’s my card.”
Emily: Maybe that felt fast. That’s completely normal.
Paul: The first time always feels a little fast.
Paul: Go back and play it again. The second time feels easier.
Emily: Something I noticed when I worked in a café years ago.
Emily: I asked the same five questions maybe a hundred times a day.
Paul: So you were a speed three speaker.
Emily: Completely. By the afternoon, I was saying “joo-wanna” without thinking.
Emily: And sometimes visitors looked at me like I spoke another language.
Paul: That’s funny, because now you’re the one explaining it.
Emily: It taught me something important. Service English is very repetitive.
Emily: In one café, you will hear the same few questions again and again.
Paul: That’s actually good news for learners.
Paul: If you learn those few questions, you’re ready for most cafés.
Emily: Eat in or take away. Small or large. Card or cash.
Paul: And then “d’you wanna add” something, a sauce, an egg, a cookie.
Emily: Yes. Once you expect the question, it’s much easier to hear.
Paul: Your brain is already waiting for it, like a friend at the station.
Emily: Okay, the afternoon. Or let’s say it’s Friday afternoon.
Paul: Before that, let me share a small observation from my own week.
Paul: I started counting how many invitations I hear in a normal day.
Paul: On Monday I counted eleven, and I almost missed three of them.
Emily: Eleven. That’s a lot more than I expected.
Paul: Coffee, lunch, a lift, a seat, a plan, a favour, a walk. They add up.
Emily: And each one is a tiny chance to practise.
Paul: That’s why this one question is worth your attention.
Paul: You won’t meet it once a month. You’ll meet it every single day.
Paul: My favorite time of the week. Plans start to happen.
Emily: And plans are full of invitations. Let me try one.
Emily: Paul, d’you wanna see a film tomorrow night?
Paul: I’d love to. Which one?
Emily: The new space one. It starts at six.
Paul: Six is a bit early for me. Can we make it the eight o’clock?
Emily: Sure, eight works. D’you wanna get food before?
Paul: Sounds good. Pizza near the cinema?
Emily: Perfect. I’ll book the tickets tonight.
Paul: Listen to what I did there. I didn’t say no.
Paul: I said yes, but changed the time. “Can we make it eight?”
Emily: That’s such a useful phrase. “Can we make it…?”
Paul: You can make it later, earlier, or another day.
Paul: “Can we make it Sunday?” “Can we make it half past?”
Emily: I really like this phrase because it saves invitations.
Emily: Many learners think there are only two answers, yes or no.
Paul: And then they say no to things they actually want to do.
Emily: Exactly. Because the time was wrong, not the plan.
Paul: “Can we make it” lets you keep the plan and change the detail.
Emily: You can also say, “How about seven instead?”
Paul: Both are friendly. Both keep the door open.
Emily: Now let’s go shopping. And I have to tell you something.
Paul: I’m sensing another embarrassing story.
Emily: A small one. It happened to me last Sunday afternoon.
Emily: I was in a shoe shop, trying on some brown boots.
Emily: They were too tight. The assistant came over to help.
Emily: She asked, “D’you wanna try the other size?”
Emily: And I just said, “No.” Only that. “No.”
Paul: Oh. Just “No.”
Emily: Just “No.” She went quiet and walked away.
Emily: I didn’t mean to be rude. I was thinking about the price.
Emily: But my one-word answer sounded cold. I felt bad all day.
Paul: I think everyone has done that in a second language.
Paul: The answer is correct, but the feeling is wrong.
Emily: So now I think of every question like a door.
Emily: The other person opens the door for you.
Paul: And you can walk in, or close it gently.
Emily: Yes. Even when you close it, you smile and say thanks.
Paul: So, let’s build the polite answers. Three ways to say yes.
Emily: “Sure, I’d love to.”
Paul: Sure, I’d love to.
Emily: “Sounds good.”
Paul: Sounds good.
Emily: “Yes, please. That would be great.”
Paul: Yes, please. That would be great.
Emily: Now three ways to close the door gently.
Paul: “Not right now, but thanks.”
Emily: Not right now, but thanks.
Paul: “Maybe later. I’m okay for now.”
Emily: Maybe later. I’m okay for now.
Paul: “I’ll think about it, thank you.”
Emily: I’ll think about it, thank you.
Paul: Let’s go back to your shoe shop. The assistant asks again.
Paul: D’you wanna try the other size?
Emily: No, thank you. I think I’ll leave it for today.
Paul: Much warmer. The door closes, but softly.
Emily: I think saying no is harder than saying yes in a new language.
Paul: I agree. I wonder why.
Emily: Because when we say yes, the conversation just continues.
Emily: When we say no, we worry about the other person’s feelings.
Paul: And we don’t have enough soft words ready.
Paul: So we panic and use the shortest word we know.
Emily: Exactly what happened to me with the boots.
Paul: Here’s a simple idea. Prepare one soft no before you go out.
Paul: Just one, like “No, thank you. I’m just looking.”
Emily: That one is perfect for shops. Assistants hear it all day.
Paul: And for friends, maybe “Not this time, but thanks for asking.”
Emily: When you have it ready, you don’t panic.
Paul: It’s like keeping a spare charger in your bag.
Emily: You don’t need it every day, but you’re glad it’s there.
Paul: Speaking of spare things, I still have your scarf.
Emily: I noticed. I’m not forgetting that.
Paul: Okay. We’ve been through a lot of the day already.
Emily: Let’s stop and collect what we’ve heard so far.
Paul: We’ll go back to each little story. Say the lines with us.
Emily: First, Paul at the bakery on Saturday morning.
Paul: The baker asked, D’you wanna have it warmed up?
Emily: D’you wanna have it warmed up?
Paul: And the right answer was, Yes, please. Just one.
Emily: Yes, please. Just one.
Paul: Second, the kitchen, before work.
Emily: D’you want some tea? The water’s hot.
Paul: D’you want some tea? The water’s hot.
Emily: Remember, that’s a thing. No “wanna” before “tea.”
Paul: Third, Emily’s first day at the office.
Emily: D’you wanna take the corner desk?
Paul: D’you wanna take the corner desk?
Emily: I’d love that. I like natural light.
Paul: I’d love that. I like natural light.
Paul: Fourth, the noodle place at lunch.
Emily: D’you wanna pay now or after you eat?
Paul: D’you wanna pay now or after you eat?
Emily: After, if that’s okay.
Paul: After, if that’s okay.
Emily: And fifth, my sad little shoe shop moment.
Paul: D’you wanna try the other size?
Emily: No, thank you. I think I’ll leave it for today.
Paul: No, thank you. I think I’ll leave it for today.
Emily: You’ll also hear two cousins of our sound sometimes.
Paul: “Let me” often becomes “lemme.” “Give me” becomes “gimme.”
Emily: Like “Lemme check” or “Gimme a second.”
Paul: You don’t need to use them. Just recognize them.
Emily: And here’s our sentence to remember for today.
Paul: Hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Emily: Hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Paul: Now, remember the number plate. Let’s test your ears.
Emily: Paul will say four sentences fast. You decide.
Paul: An invitation, or a refusal. That’s your choice.
Emily: You’ll have a short pause. Then I’ll give the answer.
Paul: Number one. D’you wanna join us for lunch?
Emily: Invitation. It starts with “d’you.” No “I.”
Paul: Number two. I don’t wanna be late again.
Emily: Refusal. It starts with “I.”
Paul: Number three. We don’t wanna take the stairs.
Emily: Refusal. It starts with “we.”
Paul: Number four. D’you wanna share a taxi home?
Emily: Invitation. Someone is offering to share.
Paul: If you got all four, your ears are already changing.
Emily: Now let’s look at three mistakes I hear very often.
Emily: They’re small, but they make the speaker sound uncertain.
Paul: Mistake number one. “D’you wanna a coffee.”
Emily: The person wants to offer a thing, a coffee.
Emily: But they used the action form, “wanna,” with a thing.
Paul: The correct version is “D’you want a coffee,” with no “to.”
Emily: Or, more politely, “Would you like a coffee.”
Paul: Mistake number two. “I wanna him to call me.”
Emily: We talked about this one in the kitchen.
Emily: There’s a person between “want” and “to,” so nothing zips.
Paul: The correct version is “I want him to call me.”
Paul: Mistake number three is about answering, not asking.
Paul: Someone says, “D’you wanna sit inside or outside.”
Emily: And the learner answers, “Yes.”
Paul: Which is funny, because it’s not a yes-or-no question.
Emily: Right. It’s a choice. The answer should be one of the choices.
Paul: “Inside, please.” Or “Outside would be lovely.”
Emily: The good news is that all three are easy to fix.
Emily: Once you notice them, you’ll hear them everywhere.
Paul: Including in your own speech. And that’s a good sign.
Emily: Now, it’s evening. And many invitations don’t happen face to face.
Paul: They come on the phone. Or in a voice message.
Emily: And that’s the hardest place to hear them.
Paul: I find phone calls really tiring in another language.
Emily: Me too. My head feels heavy after a long call.
Paul: Because your brain works twice as hard without the face.
Emily: So here’s a tip. On the phone, listen for the strong words.
Emily: Don’t try to catch every small word. Catch the verb, the day, and the time.
Paul: Like the important stickers on a parcel.
Emily: Yes. Watch, Friday, seven. That’s the whole message, really.
Paul: Because you can’t see the person’s face.
Paul: No smile, no hand pointing at the coffee machine.
Emily: Only the sound. So the zipper matters even more.
Paul: Let’s try it. You’ve left me a voice message, Emily.
Emily: Okay. Imagine my phone voice. Here it comes.
Emily: Hey Paul, it’s Emily. D’you wanna watch the match at my place on Friday? It starts at seven. Lemme know, okay? Bye!
Paul: Let’s unzip that message and hear the full version.
Emily: Do you want to watch the match at my place on Friday?
Paul: And “lemme know” means “let me know.”
Emily: Yes. Tell me your answer.
Paul: So I call you back. Ring, ring.
Emily: Hello?
Paul: Hi Emily, it’s Paul. I got your message. Thanks for the invite.
Emily: Oh, great. So, d’you wanna come?
Paul: I’d love to. But I finish work late on Fridays.
Paul: Can we make it after eight? I can watch the second half.
Emily: Of course. Come whenever you’re free.
Paul: Perfect. D’you want me to bring anything?
Emily: Maybe some snacks. Crisps are always welcome.
Paul: Crisps it is. See you Friday.
Emily: Notice something there. “D’you want me to bring anything?”
Paul: Ah, that’s the “person in the middle” pattern.
Emily: “Want me to.” There’s a “me” between “want” and “to.”
Paul: So it doesn’t zip into “wanna.” It stays “want me to.”
Emily: But fast, it sounds like “d’you want me ta.”
Paul: Good ear. Now, a second call. This time I’m inviting you.
Paul: Hi Emily. D’you wanna go for a long walk on Sunday morning?
Emily: Oh, that sounds lovely. But I’m visiting my sister this Sunday.
Emily: Can we do it next weekend instead?
Paul: Sure. Next Sunday, then. I’ll send you a message.
Emily: Thanks for asking me, Paul. I mean it.
Paul: Notice how Emily said no. She closed the door gently.
Paul: She gave a reason, and she offered another time.
Emily: That’s the kindest kind of no, I think.
Paul: Thank you, reason, another time. The same pieces again.
Emily: And notice I said “I mean it” at the end.
Paul: That makes the thank you sound real, not automatic.
Emily: You can use it when you really want them to ask again.
Paul: Quick question about writing, since we’re talking about messages.
Emily: Ah, the “can I type wanna” question.
Paul: Exactly. In a text to a close friend, many people type it.
Paul: “Wanna get lunch tomorrow.” That’s very common in informal messages.
Emily: But in a work email, an application, or an essay, never.
Emily: There, you always write “Do you want to” or “Would you like to.”
Paul: So the rule stays simple. Hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Emily: And when you’re unsure, write the full version. It’s always correct.
Paul: Now it’s your turn to leave a voice message.
Paul: Imagine I just invited you. Here’s my message.
Paul: Hi, it’s Paul. D’you wanna have dinner with us on Thursday?
Emily: Now record your answer in your head, or say it out loud.
Emily: Start with “Hi Paul, thanks for the message.”
Emily: Then say yes, or say no softly. Go ahead.
Paul: Here’s one possible answer.
Emily: Hi Paul, thanks for the message. I’d love to come on Thursday. What time should I be there?
Paul: And here’s a gentle no.
Emily: Hi Paul, thanks for the message. I can’t do Thursday, sorry. Maybe next week?
Paul: Both are great answers. Short, warm, and clear.
Emily: Now, I think we’re ready for a real challenge.
Paul: Before we start, one pronunciation tip for longer questions.
Paul: Long questions are easier when you cut them into small pieces.
Emily: Like slicing bread before you eat it.
Paul: Yes. Take “D’you wanna come with us to the market.”
Paul: First piece. D’you wanna come.
Emily: D’you wanna come.
Paul: Second piece. With us.
Emily: With us.
Paul: Third piece. To the market.
Emily: To the market.
Paul: Now all together, smoothly. D’you wanna come with us to the market?
Emily: D’you wanna come with us to the market?
Paul: Every piece has one strong word. Come, us, market.
Emily: When you hear those three, you understand the invitation.
Paul: This is a listening challenge with three steps.
Paul: Step one. I say a sentence fast, like real life.
Paul: Step two. You pause and say the full, slow version.
Emily: Step three. I say the full version, and you answer me.
Paul: It’s a lot, so don’t worry if you miss some.
Emily: You can always play this part again. Number one.
Paul: D’you wanna catch up over lunch?
Emily: Do you want to catch up over lunch?
Emily: “Catch up” means talk and share your news after some time apart.
Paul: Example answer, Sure. I have so much news.
Emily: Number two.
Paul: D’you wanna try it on first?
Emily: Do you want to try it on first?
Paul: Example answer, Yes, please. Where are the changing rooms?
Emily: “Try it on” is for clothes, shoes, or glasses. You put them on to test them.
Emily: Number three.
Paul: D’you wanna water the plants before we eat?
Emily: Do you want to water the plants before we eat?
Paul: Example answer, Sure. Which ones need it most?
Emily: “Water the plants” means giving them a little water so they stay healthy.
Emily: Number four.
Paul: D’you wanna split the bill or should I pay?
Emily: Do you want to split the bill or should I pay?
Paul: Example answer, Let’s split it, if that’s okay.
Emily: “Split the bill” means each person pays part of it.
Emily: And listen to the voice there. It goes up, then down, because there are two choices.
Emily: Number five.
Paul: D’you wanna come with us to the market?
Emily: Do you want to come with us to the market?
Paul: Example answer, Maybe later. I’m okay for now.
Emily: That’s the gentle door again. You’re not saying never.
Emily: Number six.
Paul: D’you want some help with that box?
Emily: Do you want some help with that box?
Paul: Careful here. That one was “want some help.” A thing.
Paul: Example answer, Yes, please. It’s really heavy.
Emily: Number seven.
Paul: D’you wanna call your mum back now?
Emily: Do you want to call your mum back now?
Paul: Example answer, Not right now, but I’ll call her tonight.
Emily: Good. A reason, and another time. The kind no.
Emily: And number eight, the last one.
Paul: D’you wanna practise one more time?
Emily: Do you want to practise one more time?
Paul: Example answer, Yes. Let’s do it again tomorrow.
Emily: Paul, I want to be honest. I found number four the hardest.
Paul: The “split the bill” one. I can guess why.
Emily: Because the second half came so fast. “Or-should-I-pay.”
Paul: That’s true. The end of a long question often rushes.
Paul: If that happens, it’s completely fine to ask again.
Emily: You can say, “Sorry, could you say that again?”
Paul: Or, “Sorry, did you say split it?” That shows you caught part of it.
Emily: People don’t mind repeating. They mind silence and confusion more.
Emily: Think about how many you caught the first time.
Paul: Count your answers. Four is a solid start.
Paul: Six or more means your ears are working hard.
Emily: Either way, the second listen will be easier.
Paul: That’s how listening grows. Not all at once.
Emily: It’s a bit like learning to recognise birdsong.
Emily: At first, every bird sounds the same to you.
Paul: Then one day you hear one and think, “Oh, that’s a robin.”
Emily: Yes. You don’t remember when it changed. It just did.
Paul: So keep listening, even when it feels slow.
Emily: Let me add a little pronunciation detail, if I may.
Paul: Please do. We have time.
Emily: Listen to the word “to” inside “wanna.” It almost disappears.
Emily: Slowly, it’s “want to.” Fast, it’s “wanna.” The vowel gets weak.
Paul: That weak sound is called a schwa. It’s the laziest sound in English.
Emily: And it’s the most common sound in English, too.
Paul: So if you only practise one sound this month, practise that one.
Emily: Try it with a word you know. “Banana.”
Paul: Banana. The first and last “a” are weak. The middle one is strong.
Emily: Now do the same with “wanna.” Weak, strong, weak.
Paul: Wanna. D’you wanna. D’you wanna sit down.
Emily: Say it with a relaxed mouth, not with a tight mouth.
Paul: A tight mouth makes every sound too sharp, and the rhythm breaks.
Emily: Exactly. Think of a soft, easy, friendly voice.
Emily: Okay. Now, something calm. A little shadowing story.
Paul: It’s one ordinary day, in ten short lines.
Emily: I’ll read each line. You say it right after me.
Paul: Try to copy Emily’s speed and her friendly voice.
Emily: Here we go. Line one.
Emily: Morning. D’you want some coffee?
Emily: Line two. D’you wanna take the lift together?
Emily: Line three. At work. D’you wanna check the report with me?
Emily: Line four. D’you wanna stretch your legs for a minute?
Emily: Line five. At lunch. D’you wanna share some noodles?
Emily: Line six. In the afternoon. Can we make it four o’clock?
Emily: Line seven. In a shop. D’you wanna try the blue one?
Emily: Line eight. No, thank you. I’ll think about it.
Emily: Line nine. In the evening. D’you wanna watch something?
Emily: Line ten. Sure, I’d love to. You choose.
Paul: Lovely. Ten lines, a whole day, one sound.
Paul: I want to share how I practise shadowing myself.
Paul: I do it in the kitchen, while the kettle is boiling.
Emily: That’s about three minutes. Perfect timing.
Paul: Exactly. I play one short recording and copy it, line by line.
Paul: The first day, I only copy the rhythm, not the words.
Paul: The second day, I copy the words and the rhythm together.
Emily: And then the third day.
Paul: By the third day, I can say it without the recording.
Emily: That’s a very practical routine. Three days, three minutes.
Paul: And it works with any podcast, including this one.
Emily: If you want, read those lines again tomorrow morning.
Paul: Now, we promised you something at the start.
Emily: Five invitations, and you answer all five.
Paul: Today, try to answer in full sentences. Not just “yes.”
Emily: I’ll ask. You have a short pause. Then Paul gives one example.
Emily: Number one. D’you wanna get a coffee after this?
Paul: For example, Sure, I’d love to. Where should we go?
Emily: Number two. D’you wanna join our study group on Monday?
Paul: For example, Sounds good. What time does it start?
Emily: Number three. D’you wanna come to my birthday dinner?
Paul: For example, Yes, please. Thank you for inviting me.
Emily: Number four. D’you wanna help me move on Saturday?
Paul: For example, I’m busy this Saturday, sorry. Can we make it Sunday?
Emily: Number five. D’you want another piece of cake?
Paul: For example, No, thank you. I’m really full.
Emily: Five answers. Five doors, and you chose how to use them.
Emily: Something happened to me with my neighbour recently.
Emily: She knocked on my door on a Thursday evening.
Emily: She asked, “D’you wanna come to our garden party on Saturday?”
Emily: And I understood it immediately, at full speed.
Paul: That must have felt good.
Emily: It did. I said, “I’d love to. What can I bring?”
Emily: A small moment, but I felt really comfortable in English.
Paul: That’s the goal of today. Small moments that feel comfortable.
Paul: Let me do one last role play, with a neighbour on the stairs.
Paul: You are the neighbour. I will ask, and you answer after the pause.
Paul: Hi there. D’you wanna share a lift? It’s slow, but it’s working.
Emily: For example, Sure, thanks. I have two heavy bags.
Paul: D’you wanna borrow my trolley for those bags?
Emily: For example, That would be great. I’ll bring it back tonight.
Paul: Oh, and d’you wanna come to the building meeting on Thursday?
Emily: For example, I’d love to, but I work late. Could you send me a summary?
Paul: Of course. D’you want some tea while you wait for the lift?
Emily: For example, No, thanks. I’m fine. Have a lovely evening.
Paul: Look at how natural that was. Four questions, four warm answers.
Emily: And each answer had a reason, a thank you, or an offer.
Paul: That’s the habit we want. Full sentences, kind voice.
Paul: Here’s one small thing you can do today.
Paul: Ask one real person a question with “Do you want to.”
Emily: A friend, a classmate, your sister, anyone.
Paul: And when someone invites you, answer with a full sentence.
Emily: Not just “Yes” or “No.” Add one small, kind detail.
Paul: And remember, hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Emily: Hear it fast, say it slow, write it in full.
Paul: So today we learned three big things.
Emily: One. Listen to the start, like a number plate. No “I” means an offer.
Paul: Two. “Want some” with a thing. “Wanna” with an action.
Emily: Three. Every invitation is a door. Walk in, or close it gently.
Paul: Now we have a question for you in the comments.
Emily: Write one invitation that starts with “Do you want to.”
Paul: Then write one polite answer to it. Yes or no, your choice.
Emily: We read the comments, and we’d love to see yours.
Paul: Here’s how to use this episode during the week.
Paul: Today, just listen and enjoy the stories.
Emily: Tomorrow, play the listening challenge again and answer out loud.
Paul: Later in the week, do the shadowing story while you make tea.
Emily: Small steps, a few minutes each day. That’s enough.
Paul: A comfortable routine matters more than a perfect one.
Emily: And every conversation counts, even a short conversation at a bus stop.
Paul: Especially those. Everyday invitations are the best practice.
Emily: Definitely. You don’t need an appointment to improve your listening.
Paul: In the next episode, we will practise another small sound from real English.
Emily: Something you hear every day, but nobody explains.
Paul: If this episode helped you, subscribe to English Practice Daily.
Emily: Thanks for being here with us today. I’m Emily.
Paul: And I’m Paul. D’you wanna practise again tomorrow?
Emily: Sure, we’d love to. See you in the next episode.