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Martial Arts

Martial Arts

Date: Apr 18 2008

Themes: Hobbies, Sports

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Wars aren’t fought with swords and fists anymore. But martial arts are more popular than ever.

Learning how to fight is fun and good exercise. Plus if you get in a fight, you’ll know what you’re doing.

But martial arts is also about strengthening the mind. Some forms of martial arts are more meditative than others. Listen to Marni and Mason talk about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So this summer my mother and I actually took some free Tai Chi classes that were being held in a park…

Mason:  Oh yeah, like, the dudes in the park.

Marni:  Well, you know it was a very bonding experience. What I learned, what I did not know, is that Tai Chi is actually a martial art.

Mason:  Duh.

Marni:  OK. Apparently I’m the last person on the planet that didn’t know this.

Mason:  Yeah.

Marni:  But in doing it, I was like, I get it. It’s very meditative and slow, but…

Mason:  Tai Chi is like Chinese for “kick ass.”

Marni:  I’m sure. A direct translation.

Mason:  Uh-huh. Yeah.

Marni:  Absolutely.

Mason:  No, of course it’s a martial art.

Marni:  I always just thought of it as a more meditative thing, but in doing it, it was very powerful.

Mason:  Totally. It’s not as active-looking as a lot of the other ones like Taekwondo or Muay Thai, but uh…

Marni:  Have you ever done any of those?

Mason:  I did Taekwondo for a little while. Like every kid takes a martial art at some point. Every young lad.

Marni:  Well, I think it’s a good way for some kids to channel some of their energy and I also think now, having taken Tai Chi, that it would be better for some kids to do the slower…

Mason:  There is no way you’d talk a, like, 10-year-old boy into doing Tai Chi. He’ll be like, “I wanna break boards! And get colored belts!” It’s all about the fashion, really. Like, when you’re 10 years old, karate is about a fashion statement.

Marni:  Well, I don’t know. I think it’s about earning something. You know, you have to commit yourself to the art and the discipline and…

Mason:  Who is the one in this conversation who did the martial art as a 10-year-old?

Marni:  Alright…

Mason:  And I’m telling you. I wanted to break boards and wear awesome belts and karate outfits.

Marni:  And just kick things.

Mason:  That is correct.

Marni:  OK. Alright. I’ll give you that.

 

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Discussion

Marni didn’t realize that Tai Chi is a martial art until she tried it. Mason thought everyone knew that.

Of course, it’s not as active as other forms of martial arts. Like many American kids, Mason did Taekwondo when he was a kid.

Marni thinks that maybe kids should try Tai Chi, but Mason thinks she’s crazy. Obviously kids want to wear cool outfits and break boards with their hands.

Are you skilled in any martial arts? What’s more appealing to you, meditating or breaking boards?

 

Comments

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princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Martial Arts it’s my favorite sports,i do Tekwando but i’m creazy about these sports


when a person hit an othre person,like my sport,kung fu,karate etc..,

10:16 AM Dec 20 2012 |

Hector4ord

Hector4ord

Nigeria

“Tai Chi is the best Art which Work with Body And Soul

03:17 PM Dec 27 2011 |

Hector4ord

Hector4ord

Nigeria

I also learn material Art Even am Not Chinies but i Love it. Gave me lot of Abilities

03:15 PM Dec 27 2011 |

Risk

Costa Rica

Ninjitsu is also a great martial art , but it has to be with bending and  thowing with projections

02:53 PM Dec 27 2011 |

miffoo

miffoo

Slovakia

nice lesson:)

10:48 AM Jan 30 2009 |

heik

heik

Mexico

I like martial arts… martial arts really rocks! I have all Bruce Lee movies.. love 'em

11:44 PM Apr 22 2008 |

1 person likes this

***angel***

Italy

Hi guys, It's the first time that Ive Used this space so i made some mistakes Actually I wanted to agree with "Hands" So  my comment was directed to him! 

06:15 PM Apr 21 2008 |

***angel***

Italy

Hi wise lad I agree with you about the martial arts. I only can do a capers when I feel well-trained! Well I'm quite serious if I say that martial arts should be a inner discipline that give you much more than a simple bones breaking!  Your explanation was the best I 've read and make me think that you have practised this life's philosophy.. Am I wrong? Cool

06:10 PM Apr 21 2008 |

rayne

China

.

09:00 PM Apr 20 2008 |

leonardovar

Mexico

I THINK FOR MEDITATION AND STRONG THE BETTER MARTIAL ART IS KUNG FU.

03:28 PM Apr 20 2008 |

wanglong123

China

Maybe the most important impression of China is martial arts,and many foreign friends are insane about "Kungfu",anyway i think  the power in martial arts is not just from your body but from your heart.

12:16 PM Apr 20 2008 |

代雨停

China

Tai chi is an martial art in China,I like it ,cause it's very intersting,when i was a student my school have one of  an athletic sports course  is tai chi.

now,in hainan tackwondo and yujia areabout fashion statements.young mans,kids,boys are like tackwondo.young womans are like yujia.cause tackwondo can make them more and more stronger.yujia can make them more and more beatiful.so they are good for our health.

10:00 AM Apr 20 2008 |

75573275

75573275

China

i feeling confusion ,i think  my English is very very poor, i need was very very study hard!

03:13 AM Apr 20 2008 |

Andres Cisneros

Colombia

I will always remember to the big Master Bruce Lee, the best exponent of Martial Arts. he was the pioner of Kung Fu Movies, and he development all new Martial Art called Tak Ken do, or The way that shot that intercept. he is a legend Today.

11:09 PM Apr 19 2008 |

mido_55

mido_55

Morocco

  1. hi is very interesting   so good luky

07:03 PM Apr 18 2008 |

fate2008

China

i like TAI JI QUAN . it came of China . the China had a old-line history. it had mystery colour.join to tai ji makes strenghten more healthiness.

05:02 PM Apr 18 2008 |

shazaohua

shazaohua

China

I love yoga because it makes me calm and athletic.

03:40 PM Apr 18 2008 |

Luis Augusto Gomes Sacramento

Brazil

I love martial arts. I did "capoira", it's a kind of fight practice here in the Brasil. I love also karatê because of your movements fantastic. 

03:19 PM Apr 18 2008 |

hands_1411

hands_1411

Viet Nam

Well, normally people simply relate to action in which strength plays the biggest role, creating some exciting emtion of beating or winning something. But from the speakers' point of view, I believe there're will be a shift from everyone's understanding that should draw a more multi-dimension attitude on their mind, particularly Westerners. Up to now, that old attitude has mostly been caused by their scarce visits to places having martial arts showing. If they pay more attention there, they'll figure out what meditation in martial arts really characterized, as shown in performance of human being breaking hard stuffs after time spent to concentrate.  

02:19 PM Apr 18 2008 |

romelghsap

romelghsap

Philippines

i always love martial arts.i did jiu jitsu in college and it's awesome.Smile

02:02 PM Apr 18 2008 |

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