Keep One's Cool
May 13 2014
Intro
When it’s really hot outside, it’s hard to want to do anything. You don’t want to exercise. You definitely don’t want to cook. You might not even want to talk! All you want is a cold drink and a fan to blow air in your face. You will do anything to stay cool. If you feel cool, you may get something done.
If a person is trying to keep his cool, he’s doing what needs to be done to stay calm and focused. He may not be dealing with a hot day, though. It might be a stressful job interview, a crying baby, or an angry co-worker. If he’s keeping his cool, he’s working to stay relaxed in any kind of situation.
People learn to keep their cool in different ways. Some slowly count to ten, some breathe slowly, and some tell themselves that everything’s going to be OK. What works for one person might not work for another. But everyone can do it!
Why is Rafael trying to keep his cool? Learn more in today’s English lesson about staying relaxed.
If a person is trying to keep his cool, he’s doing what needs to be done to stay calm and focused. He may not be dealing with a hot day, though. It might be a stressful job interview, a crying baby, or an angry co-worker. If he’s keeping his cool, he’s working to stay relaxed in any kind of situation.
People learn to keep their cool in different ways. Some slowly count to ten, some breathe slowly, and some tell themselves that everything’s going to be OK. What works for one person might not work for another. But everyone can do it!
Why is Rafael trying to keep his cool? Learn more in today’s English lesson about staying relaxed.
Dialogue
Lily: Hey, Rafa!
Rafael: Hey, guys. I’m so glad you could make it.
Jeff: Yeah, man. We wouldn’t miss your first pro yoga class.
Rafael: Coming from you, that means a lot.
Marni: How are you holding up?
Rafael: I’m OK. I’m really just trying to focus on keeping my cool.
Jeff: Really? Why’s that?
Rafael: Well, you know. First day. Got the jitters. Anyway, why don’t we get started?
Marni: Don’t worry. You’re going to be great.
Rafael: Welcome, everybody. I’m Rafael. First, is this anybody’s first time doing a yoga class? OK. Well, don’t worry about it. Just find yourself in a comfortable position and let me set the tone for you.
I am so, so sorry, everybody! Just hold on. Just a second. There we go. All right, everybody. Now just concentrate on your breathing and let your mind relax. Block out all the sounds. Just let yourself be free of distractions.
I am so sorry, everybody. OK, well, now we should be able to completely relax. And breathe in on a count of five. And out.
Jessica: You did fine, Rafael. Really nice job.
Rafael: Really? I feel like everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong.
Jessica: I know. But you still kept your cool.
Rafael: You really think so?
Jessica: Yeah. Maybe it didn’t feel like you were keeping your cool, but it sounded and looked like you were. That’s all that matters when you’re teaching a yoga class.
Rafael: So I’m not fired?
Jessica: No, you’re not fired. Come on. Your friends invited us out for brunch.
Rafael: Cool. Mimosas on me.
Jessica: Nice!
Rafael: Hey, guys. I’m so glad you could make it.
Jeff: Yeah, man. We wouldn’t miss your first pro yoga class.
Rafael: Coming from you, that means a lot.
Marni: How are you holding up?
Rafael: I’m OK. I’m really just trying to focus on keeping my cool.
Jeff: Really? Why’s that?
Rafael: Well, you know. First day. Got the jitters. Anyway, why don’t we get started?
Marni: Don’t worry. You’re going to be great.
Rafael: Welcome, everybody. I’m Rafael. First, is this anybody’s first time doing a yoga class? OK. Well, don’t worry about it. Just find yourself in a comfortable position and let me set the tone for you.
I am so, so sorry, everybody! Just hold on. Just a second. There we go. All right, everybody. Now just concentrate on your breathing and let your mind relax. Block out all the sounds. Just let yourself be free of distractions.
I am so sorry, everybody. OK, well, now we should be able to completely relax. And breathe in on a count of five. And out.
Jessica: You did fine, Rafael. Really nice job.
Rafael: Really? I feel like everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong.
Jessica: I know. But you still kept your cool.
Rafael: You really think so?
Jessica: Yeah. Maybe it didn’t feel like you were keeping your cool, but it sounded and looked like you were. That’s all that matters when you’re teaching a yoga class.
Rafael: So I’m not fired?
Jessica: No, you’re not fired. Come on. Your friends invited us out for brunch.
Rafael: Cool. Mimosas on me.
Jessica: Nice!
Discussion
Rafael is excited but nervous to teach his first pro yoga class. His friends have come to give him support, but he’s still worried that something will go wrong. His new boss, Jessica, is watching from the back of the class. Rafael wants her to believe that he’s a good teacher.
From the start, things do begin to go wrong! First, Rafael plays loud rock music. Then a police siren gets everyone’s attention. And finally a baby starts crying loudly in the hallway. It feels like a big mess to Rafael, and he worries that Jessica is going to fire him. But Jessica is much more understanding than Rafael realizes. Even though there were many problems, Rafael stayed relaxed during class, and to Jessica that’s all that matters.
Is it easy or hard for you to keep your cool? What makes you nervous? How do you stay relaxed?
From the start, things do begin to go wrong! First, Rafael plays loud rock music. Then a police siren gets everyone’s attention. And finally a baby starts crying loudly in the hallway. It feels like a big mess to Rafael, and he worries that Jessica is going to fire him. But Jessica is much more understanding than Rafael realizes. Even though there were many problems, Rafael stayed relaxed during class, and to Jessica that’s all that matters.
Is it easy or hard for you to keep your cool? What makes you nervous? How do you stay relaxed?
Grammar Point
Imperative Form
While teaching his yoga class, Rafael tells his students to ”... concentrate on your breathing and let your mind relax.” He uses the imperative form.
“Stop!,” “Come here!,” and “Look out!” are all examples of the imperative form.
You can use the imperative form to give an order, a warning, or someadvice. In the case of Rafael, he is giving his students advice on what to do during his class to help them enjoy it more.
To form the imperative, use the infinitive form of the verb without “to.” To make a negative imperative, put “do not” or “don’t” in front of the verb, as in, “Don’t touch that!”
The imperative is formed the same for all subjects (you, he, we, they), but you can include yourself in the imperative by adding “Let’s,” as in, “Let’s go for a swim.”
If you want to be more polite when using an imperative, just add “please.” For example, “Please leave me alone. I’m trying to learn English!”
Use the imperative form to tell your friend what to wear to the party.
While teaching his yoga class, Rafael tells his students to ”... concentrate on your breathing and let your mind relax.” He uses the imperative form.
“Stop!,” “Come here!,” and “Look out!” are all examples of the imperative form.
You can use the imperative form to give an order, a warning, or someadvice. In the case of Rafael, he is giving his students advice on what to do during his class to help them enjoy it more.
To form the imperative, use the infinitive form of the verb without “to.” To make a negative imperative, put “do not” or “don’t” in front of the verb, as in, “Don’t touch that!”
The imperative is formed the same for all subjects (you, he, we, they), but you can include yourself in the imperative by adding “Let’s,” as in, “Let’s go for a swim.”
If you want to be more polite when using an imperative, just add “please.” For example, “Please leave me alone. I’m trying to learn English!”
Use the imperative form to tell your friend what to wear to the party.
Quiz
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