12. Celebrating Progress: Reflecting on Personal Growth (How long have you been)
In this conversation, Riya reflects on her recent experiences and progress in various activities, such as playing the guitar, reading a book, and maintaining friendships. Through her dialogue with her mother, she discusses the duration of her engagement in these activities, any improvements she has noticed, and her overall thoughts and feelings about the experiences. This conversation highlights the importance of personal growth, perseverance, and self-reflection in pursuing hobbies and interests.
Mother: Hi Riya, how was your day?
Riya: Hi Mom, it was good, thanks! How about yours?
Mother: Not bad, dear. I noticed you’ve been playing your guitar a lot lately.
How long have you been practicing?
Riya: Oh, I’ve been practicing every day for about two weeks now.
Mother: That’s great to hear! Have you noticed any improvement?
Riya: Yeah, I think so. I feel more confident playing some of the chords now.
Mother: That’s wonderful! Keep up the good work. By the way, how long have you been reading that book?
Riya: I started it last weekend, so I’ve been reading it for about a week.
Mother: Interesting! What do you think of it so far?
Riya: It’s really captivating! I can’t wait to see how it ends.
Mother: I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Oh, one more question, how long have you been friends with Maya?
Riya: Maya? Hmm, I think we’ve been friends since kindergarten, so that’s about seven years now.
Mother: Wow, that’s a long time! It’s nice to have such a good friend for so many years.
Riya: Yeah, I’m really lucky to have her. Thanks for asking, Mom!
Mother: Of course, dear. Anytime you want to talk, I’m here.
Keep up the great work with your guitar and your reading!
Riya: Thanks, Mom! I will.
Difficult Words:
- Captivating: Holding one’s attention; fascinating. Example: “The movie had a captivating storyline that kept the audience engaged.”
Phrasal Verbs:
- Looked into: To investigate or examine something. Example: “The police looked into the matter and found no evidence of wrongdoing.”
Idioms:
- Keep up the good work: Continue doing well in a particular task or activity. Example: “The teacher praised the students and encouraged them to keep up the good work.”
“How long have you been”
“How long have you been” is a phrase used to inquire about the duration of time that someone has been doing something continuously up to the present moment. It’s commonly used to ask about ongoing actions or situations. Here’s how you can use it:
- Structure: “How long have you been” + [present participle verb phrase]?
- Examples:
- How long have you been studying English?
- How long have you been living in this city?
- How long have you been working at your current job?
- How long have you been playing the piano?
- How long have you been watching this movie?
- Usage:
- To ask about the duration of an ongoing activity or situation.
- Typically used with actions that started in the past and are continuing up to the present moment.
- Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- Response:
- To respond, use the present perfect tense to indicate the duration of time.
- For example: “I have been studying English for two years,” “I have been living in this city since last year,” “I have been working at my current job for six months,” etc.
Overall, “how long have you been” is a useful phrase for inquiring about someone’s ongoing activities or situations and understanding the duration of their experiences.
Are you ready for the assignment?
Assignment Title: “Reflecting on Personal Progress”
Assignment Description: Reflect on a hobby or activity you have been pursuing recently, such as playing a musical instrument, reading a book, or maintaining a friendship. Record a video or audio message where you discuss your experiences, similar to the conversation between Riya and her mother. Share how long you have been engaging in the activity, any progress or improvements you have noticed, and your thoughts on the experience overall. Try to speak for at least 2-3 minutes, using details and examples to explain your thoughts and feelings.
Tips for Generating Ideas:
- Think about the conversation between Riya and her mother. What activities did Riya discuss, and how did she describe her experiences?
- Reflect on your own hobbies or interests. Is there a particular activity you have been dedicating time to lately?
- Consider how long you have been engaging in this activity and what progress you have made during that time.
- Reflect on any challenges or obstacles you have encountered while pursuing this hobby, and how you have overcome them.
- Imagine how you would express your thoughts and feelings about your experiences using the vocabulary and expressions from the conversation between Riya and her mother.
Submission Instructions: Record a video or audio message where you reflect on your recent experiences with a hobby or activity. Share how long you have been engaging in the activity, any progress you have made, and your overall thoughts and feelings about the experience. Use vocabulary and expressions similar to those used in the conversation between Riya and her mother to express yourself effectively. Once you’re satisfied with your recording, submit it according to your teacher’s instructions.
Remember to speak clearly and confidently, and don’t hesitate to share personal insights and reflections on your experiences!