to misinterpret

Welcome to English as a Second Language Podcast number 521: Describing Speech and Language Ability.

This is English as a Second Language Podcast episode 521. I’m your host, Dr. Jeff McQuillan, coming to you from the Center for Educational Development in beautiful Los Angeles, California.

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This episode is called “Describing Speech and Language Ability.” It’s a dialogue between Blaire and Antonio. They are talking to someone who speaks a different language and they are having difficulty communicating with that person, something I’m sure we all have an experience with. We’re going to look at some vocabulary that we use to describe someone’s language ability and the way they speak. Let’s get started.

Blaire: Do you have any idea what he’s saying?

Antonio: It’s Greek to me. You’re supposed to be the one who’s fluent. Can’t you make out what he’s saying?

Blaire: I never said I was fluent. I said I could get by in the language. There’s a big difference.

Antonio: