In this dialogue, Ken scrambles to find someone to cover his English teaching job for a day so he can be home for his sister’s visit.
Despite some hesitations and rejections, a possible solution finally comes his way.
The exercise that goes along with the audio dialogue is in the 2nd edition Genki 2 Workbook on pg 19 Section B.
The Japanese transcript is in the Genki Answer key book on pg 72-73, Chapter 13 Section W13-B
けん: Hey, Kiyoko are you free tomorrow?
きようこ: Yes, I’m free. Why?
けん: Tomorrow I have work. But my little sister will come home therefore I have to be home.
I can’t go (to work) therefore could you please go to work? (fill in for me)
It’s only 1 day.
きようこ: Hmm, what kind of job?
けん: English teacher.
きようこ: I can’t do it, I never taught English for one thing.
けん: That’s fine. You can do it Kiyoko, for one thing, you’re better at English than me.
きようこ: I’m sorry. You could try asking Robert.
けん: Robert, I have a request.
ロバート: What?
けん: Tomorrow, I have work but my little sister will come home therefore I can’t go to work.
So tomorrow’s job . . .
ロバート: Tomorrow? I have a report that I have to write tomorrow and I have plans with my friend.
けん: Only 1 time.
ロバート: I’m sorry, I can’t do it.
But my friend Nancy, I think she can do it.
She said she wants to try to teach English.
So I’ll give her a call.
けん: Thank you.
Grammar That Confused Me
Grammar 1: Not sure of the meaning of けど and how is it used in this dialogue.
I know you can use it for conjunctions and use it so the other person can speak (pg 236 Genki 1 book)
And also to present background about what your going to say (Genki 2 pg 82)
Grammar 2: Don’t understand the structure of this sentence: ぼくより.
Think it means きょうこさん’s English is better than his.
But the し and なら threw me off.
English is better than mine therefore きょうこさ you can do it.
What is the purpose of なら, I wonder if is used to show contrast between him and her?
Grammar 2 Clarity: (きょうこさんは)ぼくより英語がじょうずだし、Because you are better at English than me
きょうこさんならできるよ。you can do it.
なら puts positive light on きょうこさん and shows contrast between きょうこさん and ぼく and maybe other people
Grammar 3: Not sure what this line meant: ともだちと約束あるし
Friend & promise have???
約束 is used as a noun and not a verb in this sentence so と means and
Since friend is a person and promise is a noun, how do you decide which verb to use ある・いる
Grammar 3 Sorta Clarity: Still unclear about how to decide which verb to use but I was told
ともだちと約束があるし。
Means: I have plans with my friends.
Grammar 4: Could you remove なら, why include it?
Does it show contrast that Nancy is available?
Your Turn
Did you enjoy this story?
Have any grammar questions?
Let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!