The Listening and Language Skills for Real Relationship Conversations
A carefully selected sequence of 12 activities for learners of intermediate to difficult levels. Work through them in order to build the listening and grammar skills you need to talk about dating, marriage, and the conversations that shape every relationship.
How to use this path: Click “Open Lesson” to start each activity — it will open in a new tab. When you finish, close that tab and come back here to continue with the next lesson.
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1🎧 Easy
First Date
Listen to a conversation between a father and his teenage daughter as she prepares to leave on her first date. The father asks questions about where she is going and who she will be with. The lesson introduces the idioms “hit it off” and “call it quits.”
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2📖 Grammar: Intermediate
Present Perfect Tense
Learn how to talk about experiences and events that connect the past to the present. This tense comes up constantly in relationship conversations: “We’ve been together for three years,” “Have you ever been on a blind date?”
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3🎧 Intermediate
Date Activities
Listen to a phone conversation in which a man and woman work together to plan a date after their first idea falls through.
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4🎧 Intermediate
Marriage Preparation
Listen to a sister who discovers on Facebook that her brother is getting married next week. Surprised by the news, she urges him to take a marriage preparation class before the wedding. The lesson introduces the idioms “tie the knot” and “be on the rocks.”
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5📖 Grammar: Intermediate
Future Real Conditional (If + present, will)
Learn how to connect a condition to a likely future outcome. This structure comes up naturally when making plans and decisions as a couple: “If we have the wedding outdoors, we’ll need a backup plan.”
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6🎧 Difficult
Wedding Plans
Listen to a couple discuss wedding venue options, food, and logistics, navigating preferences, allergies, and budget along the way. The lesson introduces the idioms “love to death” and “fall head over heels in love.”
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7🎧 Difficult
Wedding Anniversary
Listen to a conversation in which a husband has forgotten his wedding anniversary and tries to make up for it with very unimpressive plans. The lesson introduces the idioms “once in a blue moon” and “grab a bite.”
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8🎧 Difficult
Honey, Are You Listening?
Listen to a conversation between a man and woman about the importance of listening in a relationship. The man clearly is not paying attention, illustrating exactly what not to do. The lesson introduces the idioms “be all ears” and “fall on deaf ears.”
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9▶️ Culture Video
Happy and Healthy Relationships
Watch Randall share three practical tips for being a better partner, filmed outdoors while running with his wife. He covers thinking of your partner first, surprising them outside of expected occasions, and seeking professional help when needed.
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10📖 Grammar: Intermediate
Gerunds and Infinitives
Learn when to use a gerund (verb + ing) and when to use an infinitive (to + verb). Both forms appear constantly in everyday English and are especially common in conversations about relationships and dating.
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11▶️ Interview
Online Dating
Watch Randall and Aubrey discuss the advantages and risks of online dating. Aubrey shares practical safety tips for meeting someone from a dating app, including always meeting in a public place and researching the person on social media first.
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12💬 Idiom
Ghost Someone
Finish the path with a very modern idiom. “Ghost someone” means to suddenly cut off all communication without explanation. The lesson features a humorous conversation between a father and son about why a girl stopped responding to messages.
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