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Streamline English Destinations

Streamline English Destinations - Episode 05: OUT OF WORK

In Britain a lot of people are out of work. Tracey Chapman is 18, and she left school a year ago. She lives in the North East, an area of high youth unemployment. She hasn't been able to find a job yet. "My dad just doesn't understand. He started working in a steel mill when he was 15. Things are different now, but he thinks I should start bringing home some money. Oh, I get my unemployment benefit, but that isn't much and I'm fed up with queuing for it every Thursday. I hate having to ask my mum and dad for money. Oh, my mum gives me money a couple of pounds for tights now and then, but she can't stand seeing me at home all day. I've almost given up looking for a job. I buy the local paper every day but I'm really tired of looking through the "Situations Vacant" column. There are 50 applicants for every job. I was interested in being a dentist's receptionist because I like meeting people, but now I'd take any job at all. People ask me why I don't move to London, but I don't want to leave my family and friends. Anyway, I'm scared of living on my own in a big city."

George Morley is 54. Until last year he was a production manager in the textile industry. He had worked for the same company since he left school. He had a good job, a four-bedroomed house and a company car. When his company had to close because of economic difficulties, he became redundant.

"It's funny really... I don't feel old, but it isn't easy to start looking for a job at my age. I've had so many refusals. Now I'm frightened of applying for job. All the interviewers are twenty years younger than me. You see, I'm interested in learning a new skill, but nobody wants to train me. I can see their point of view. I'll have to retire in ten years. It's just... well, I'm tired of sitting around the house. I've worked hard for nearly forty years and now I'm terrified of having nothing to do. When I was still with Lancastrian Textiles I was bored with doing the same thing day after day, but now I'd really enjoy doing a job again... any job really. It's not the money... I got good redundancy pay, and the house is paid for... and I've given up smoking... no, it's not just money. I just need to feel... well, useful... that's all.

Streamline English Destinations

Streamline English Destinations - Episode 04: THE MONTE CARLO RALLY

The Monte Carlo Rally, which started in 1911, is Europe's most famous motoring event. Competitors leave from several points around Europe and follow routes of approximately equal length to a rallying point which will be Geneva this year. They then follow a single route to the finish. The rally consists of five daily stages, beginning on Sunday morning, and each competitor will have driven about 3000 kilometres by Thursday night. It is not a race. The winner is decided on a points system. Drivers have to maintain an average speed between control points, and there are also special tests of driving skill in different conditions on the way.

Motoring news
This is radio Wessex on 203 metres, medium wave. It's nine o'clock on Monday 25th January and this is Barry King reporting from Dover. The British competitors in the Monte Carlo Rally have just arrived here at the end of the second stage in this year's competition. Russell Cook, who's driving a Sunbeam Lotus, is leading. The Triumph driven by Tony Bond, who won last year's rally, crashed in Yorkshire this morning. Tony was unhurt but will be unable to continue. Seven other cars have withdrawn due to bad weather conditions. Tonight the cars, which left from Glasgow on Sunday morning, will be crossing the English Channel.

Streamline English Destinations

Streamline English Destinations - Episode 03 THIS IS YOUR LIFE!

Terry: Good evening and welcome to "This is Your Life". This is Terry Donovan speaking. We're waiting for the subject of tonight's programme. He's one of the world's leading actors, and he thinks he's coming here to take part in a discussion programme... I can hear him now... yes, here he is! Jason Douglas... This is your life!

Jason: Oh, no... I don't believe it! Not me...

Terry: Yes, you! Now come over here and sit down. Jason, you were born at number 28 Balaclava Street in East Ham, London on July 2nd 1947. You were one of six children, and your father was a taxi driver. Of course, your name was then Graham Smith.

Terry: Now, do you know this voice? "I remember Jason when he was two. He used to scream and shout all day. "

Jason: Susan!

Terry: Yes... all the way from Sydney, Australia... she flew here specially for this programme. It's your sister, Susan Fraser!

Jason: Susan... why didn't you tell me... oh, this is wonderful!

Terry: Yes, you haven't seen each other for 13 years... take a seat next to him, Susan. You started school at the age of five, in 1952, and in 1958 you moved to Lane End Secondary School.

Terry: Do you remember this voice? "Smith! Stop looking out of the window! "

Jason: Oh, no! It's Mr Hooper!

Terry: Your English teacher, Mr Stanley Hooper. Was Jason a good student, Mr Hooper?

Mr Hooper: Eh? No, he was the worst in the class... but he was a brilliant actor, even in those days. He could imitate all the teachers!

Terry: Thank you, Mr Hooper. You can speak to Jason, later. Well, you went to the London School of Drama in 1966, and left in 1969. In 1973 you went to Hollywood.

Terry: Do you know this is voice? "Hi Jason... Can you ride a horse yet? "

Jason: Maria!

Terry: Maria Montrose... who's come from Hollywood to be with you tonight.

Maria: Hello, Jason... it's great to be here. Hello, Terry. Jason and I were in a movie together in 1974. Jason had to learn to ride a horse... well, Jason doesn't like horses very much.

Jason: Like them! I'm terrified of them!

Maria: Anyway, he practised for two weeks. Then he went to the director... it was Charles Orson... and said "What do you want me to do? " Charles said, "I want you to fall off the horse". Jason was furious. He said, "What? Fall off! I've been practising for two weeks... I could fall off the first day... without any practice!"

Streamline English Destinations

Streamline English Destinations - Episode 02 Is Every Thing Ready?

"This is Your Life" is one of the most popular programmes on British and American television. Every week a famous person is invited to a television studio, without knowing that he or she will be the subject of the programme. The compère meets the person outside the studio and says "This is you life!". The person then meets friends and relatives from his or her past and present. Studio 4 is where the programme is recorded. The programme begins at eight o'clock. It's 6.45 now and the director is checking the preparations with his new production assistant. The subject of tonight's show will be an actor, Jason Douglas. The compère, as usual, will be Terry Donovan.

Director Let's just check the arrangements. We're bringing Jason Douglas here in a studio car -- he thinks he's coming to a discussion programme! The driver has been told to arrive at exactly 7.55. Now, the programme begins at eight o'clock. At that time Jason will be walking to the studio. Terry Donovan will start his introduction at 8.01, and Jason will arrive at 8.02. Terry will meet him at the studio entrance... Camera 4 will be there. Then he'll take him to that seat. It'll be on Camera 3. Jason will be sitting there during the whole programme. For most of the show Terry will be standing in the middle, and he'll be on Camera 2. The guests will come through that door, talk to Terry and Jason... and then sit over there.

Director: Now, is that all clear?
Production Assistant: Yes... there's just one thing.
Director: Well, what is it?
PA: Who's going to look after the guests during the show?
Director: Pauline is.
PA: And where will they be waiting during the show?
Director: In room 401, as usual. Pauline will be waiting with them, and she'll be watching the show on the monitor. She'll tell them two minutes before they enter.
PA: I think that's everything.

Streamline English Destinations

Streamline English Destinations - Episode 01 Arrivals

1.
The train now standing at Platform 5 will be the 10.25 to Exeter St David's, calling at Reading, Pewsey, Westbury and Taunton.

A: Excuse me... Mr Ward?
B: Yes?
A: I'm Charles Archer, from Continental Computers. How do you do?
B: How do you do? Thank you for coming to meet us.
A: Not at all. Did you have a good trip?
B: Yes, thank you. Oh, I'd like you to meet Philip Mason. He's our sales manager.
A: How do you do?

2.
The train now standing at Platform 3 is the 10.20 Inter-City service to Bristol.

C: Sarah!
D: Hi.
C: Hi. I haven't seen you for ages. How's things?
D: All right. And you?
C: Fine. How's work?
D: OK. Do you fancy a coffee?
C: Oh, yes, I'd love one.

3.
The train now arriving at Platform 2 is the 9.12 from Oxford.

E: Hello, Dorothy.
F: Hello, Margaret. How are you?
E: Very well, thanks, and you?
F: Oh, I'm fine. How's the family?
E: They're all fine. My car's just outside the station. Shall I take one of your bags?
F: Oh, yes... thank you.

4.
The next train leaving from Platform 9 will be the 10.25 Inter-City service to Plymouth and Penzance. The train will be divided at the Plymouth. Passengers for stations to Penzance should take front six carriages.

G: Good morning.
H: Good morning.
G: Single to Exeter, please.
H: £14.70, please.
G: There you are. Thank you... er... what time's the next train?
H: 10.25
G: Thank you.

5.
The train now arriving at Platform 12 is the 7.10 from Swansea. Trains from Swansea are running approximately 15 minutes late due to maintenance work between Swansea and Cardiff.

I: Hello, there!
J: I beg your pardon?
I: Hello! How are you getting on?
J: Fine, thank you... sorry... do I know you?
I: Yes, it's me, Nick Fowler!
J: Sorry, I don't think I know you.
I: Aren't you Harry Shiner?
J: Er. no... I'm afraid not.
I: Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I thought you were someone else!