Hello and welcome back to your English five-a-day, season three on the ELAM podcast.
This is a short daily podcast for intermediate to advanced level English learners who want to build natural English vocabulary through stories.
My name is Anna and this is week two, day four of our story following Gabriel, an adventurous French traveller exploring the UK one city at a time.
Now today we're looking at five phrasal verbs that you'll hear all the time when exploring any city.
Supporting materials for this season are available at www.joinelan.com.
So, here's a snapshot of Gabriel's afternoon.
After lunch, he decided to set off towards his hostel.
He planned to look around as he walked, hoping to recognise a few landmarks.
But he took a wrong turn, and that's when he ran into a couple who pointed him in the right direction and told him to head over to Duke Street.
Eventually, he managed to check into his hostel, tired but relieved.
Did you recognise those phrasal verbs?
Well, don't worry because now we're going to dive into them in the vocabulary breakdown.
To set off.
This means to begin a journey.
For example, we set off early to avoid the traffic.
Next, we have to look around.
This means to explore a place casually.
For example, let's look around the market before we buy anything.
Then we have to run into someone.
If you run into them, it means you meet them unexpectedly.
For example, I ran into an old friend at the station.
To head over.
This means to go in a particular direction.
For example, head over to the main square.
It's beautiful at night.
And finally, to check into.
To check into a hotel or hostel means to register and get your room.
For example, we checked into the hotel before heading out for dinner.
And there was a bonus phrasal verb for you there, to head out.
But now let's move into today's scene from Gabriel's day.
Are you ready?
It's story time.
With the afternoon light starting to fade, Gabriel frantically tried to retrace his steps.
Nothing.
Nothing. all the way back to the cafe he went.
The barista wasn't so friendly this time.
I'm not surprised to see you again, are you?
She shouted as she threw something at Gabriel.
It was his money belt.
Look after your stuff, they tell you, she said, as if she were telling him off.
I'm sorry.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Gabriel gasped with embarrassment and relief.
Don't mention it, La.
Laughed a customer.
Come again, just for the service.
Gabriel quickly set off to retrieve his luggage and take it to his hostel.
He looked around.
Nothing seemed familiar.
The streets, lined with brick buildings and small shops, all seemed to blur together.
It was as if the city's energy was pressing in on him from every side.
Just as he was about to give up, he ran into a friendly couple walking their dog.
The woman smiled at him warmly.
You look a bit lost, love.
Where are you trying to get to?
Gabriel showed them the booking confirmation on his phone.
Oh, you're miles off.
The man laughed gently.
You need to head over to Duke Street.
Come on, we'll walk you part of the way.
They led him across two junctions, pointed out a shortcut and wished him luck.
Gabriel noticed the small details.
They pointed out, like a mural he had passed earlier and he felt relieved to finally understand his surroundings.
A few minutes later, he recognised the building from the photos and walked inside.
Exhausted, he approached the desk and managed to check into his room without misunderstanding anything.
A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
Wonderful.
Now, let's recap today's target vocabulary.
Repeat these phrasal verbs out loud after me.
Set off.
Look around.
Run into. run into head over head over check into check into Brilliant work!
Alright, here's tomorrow's teaser.
Tomorrow I'll bring all four scenes together into one complete chapter of Gabriel's story and we'll put the language lens on one language feature that ties it all together.
You can get a free download to help you to understand the language lens a little more.
You can access free downloads from wwwjoinelancom forward slash plus to help you with the language lens sections.
I hope to see you tomorrow.
Until then, take care and goodbye.