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Lesson 229 of 240

New here? This is lesson 229 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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The neighborhood meeting in English

Ana walks to the library branch for the block club meeting. Neighbors sit in a circle. They talk about the street, not politics.

Ana wants a Saturday cleanup. Danny likes the idea, but not the hour.

By the end, you'll propose an idea, ask for other views, say yes or no with a reason, and vote with a show of hands.

By the end of this lesson

Take part in a residents' meeting: propose, object, and vote.

  • I propose that we ___.My idea is that we should ___.
  • I'd like to hear other views.Please tell me if you think something else.
  • I'm in favor of this.I want us to say yes.
  • I don't agree with this because ___.I say no, and my reason is ___.
  • Let's vote by a show of hands.Raise a hand to choose yes or no.
  • Then that's decided.We have made the choice.

Scene — the library circle

The library branch has a small meeting room. Folding chairs sit in a circle. A blank whiteboard stands at the front.

Ana has a teal tote on her lap. Danny has a dish towel over one shoulder, still in his flannel. Mr. Kowalski holds a ring of keys. Tasha leans in, ready to keep the talk moving.

Tasha begins the neighborhood meeting as Ana and Danny settle into the circle.

Learn — propose, object, and vote

Six lines for a residents' meeting. You offer a plan, ask for other views, say yes or no, then vote.

You'll also close the choice: Then that's decided.

  1. Ana proposes cleaning the alley on Saturday at seven.

    I propose that we ___.

    My idea is that we should ___.

    When to use it: Say this when you offer a plan in a meeting.

    After we, name the action you want the group to do.

    Say it: Stress propose on the second part.

  2. Tasha invites the neighbors to share a different idea.

    I'd like to hear other views.

    Please tell me if you think something else.

    When to use it: Say this after you share an idea, so other people can speak.

    I'd like is a polite way to say I want, as one piece.

    Say it: to can sound like tuh.

  3. Mr. Kowalski encourages the group to agree because the alley is dirty.

    I'm in favor of this.

    I want us to say yes.

    When to use it: Say this when you want the group to choose yes.

    In favor of means you want this plan to pass.

    Say it: Stress favor on the first part.

  4. Danny objects to the early start and gives his reason.

    I don't agree with this because ___.

    I say no, and my reason is ___.

    When to use it: Say this when you vote no and you give a reason.

    After because, give one clear reason, not a long speech.

  5. Tasha asks everyone to raise a hand to vote yes or no.

    Let's vote by a show of hands.

    Raise a hand to choose yes or no.

    When to use it: Say this when the group is ready to choose yes or no.

    A show of hands means people raise a hand to vote.

  6. The neighbors finish voting, and Tasha confirms that the group has made its choice.

    Then that's decided.

    We have made the choice.

    When to use it: Say this after the vote, when the choice is final.

    that's is that is, said as one piece.

Story — saturday cleanup

Watch Ana's Saturday cleanup idea at the library. Danny likes the plan. He does not like the hour.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The library room is quiet. Tasha sets a notebook on her knee.
  2. TashaLet's get started.It is time to begin the meeting.
  3. TashaSo, the alley first. Does anyone want to add anything?She names the alley, then asks if someone has more to say.
  4. AnaI propose that we clean the alley on Saturday at seven.My idea is that we should clean the alley on Saturday at seven.
  5. Danny shifts in his chair. He still has a dish towel over one shoulder.
  6. TashaI'd like to hear other views.Please tell me if you think something else.
  7. Mr. KowalskiI'm in favor of this. The alley has been a mess.He wants the group to say yes, because the alley is dirty.
  8. DannyI don't agree with this because seven is too early.I say no, and my reason is seven is too early.
  9. AnaHow about we meet in the middle?Can we each give up a little?
  10. DannyWell, ten is better. I can close the truck by then.Ten works for him, after the food truck is done.
  11. TashaLet's vote by a show of hands.Raise a hand to choose yes or no.
  12. Hands go up around the circle. Most people vote yes.
  13. DannyYeah. I'm in favor of this.I want us to say yes.
  14. AnaI'm in favor of this.I want us to say yes.
  15. Mr. KowalskiTen is fine with me.Ten works for him.
  16. TashaThen that's decided.We have made the choice.
  17. TashaSaturday at ten, then.The cleanup is Saturday at ten.

Practice — yes, no, and hands

Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, match, fill a gap, swap a word, and build a line.

The round stays quick. Each item checks one meeting line.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What do you say?

    You are at the block club meeting. You want a Saturday cleanup for the alley.

  3. What does it mean?

    I'd like to hear other views.

  4. Fill the gap

    I want us to say yes.

    I'm in favor ____ this.

  5. Pick the reply

    Ana says:

    I propose that we start the cleanup at seven.

    My idea is that we should start at seven.

    And you reply with:

  6. Build the line

    We have made the choice.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Match the pairs

    English

    I propose that we ___.Drop the Simple English here
    I'd like to hear other views.Drop the Simple English here
    I'm in favor of this.Drop the Simple English here
    I don't agree with this because ___.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  8. Swap the word

    Danny wants seven. You want a time that works for both of you.

    How about we meet in the ____?

  9. True or false?

    This line means the meeting is over.

  10. What do you say?

    People sit down in the library room. It is time to begin the meeting.

  11. Put the chat in order

    1. TashaWhat comes first?
    2. Ana…
    3. Danny…
    4. Tasha…

    Tap the line that comes next, or drag it into the chat.

Say it — your turn to speak

Now you're Ana at the block club meeting. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. TashaLet's get started.It is time to begin the meeting.
  2. TashaDoes anyone want to add anything?Is there something else to talk about?
  3. Ana (you)Offer your idea for a Saturday alley cleanup.

    I propose that we ___.

    My idea is that we should ___.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
I propose that we ___.My idea is that we should ___.
I'd like to hear other views.Please tell me if you think something else.
I'm in favor of this.I want us to say yes.
I don't agree with this because ___.I say no, and my reason is ___.
Let's vote by a show of hands.Raise a hand to choose yes or no.
Then that's decided.We have made the choice.
Next: lesson 230Everyday idioms

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these meeting lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your meeting lines ready for the next block club.

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