English listening practice | Sophia is moving abroad | B1-B2

[0:00]Hey there, English learners! Today, we're following Sophia as she leaves her hometown to begin a new life in another country. Discover how she prepares for the move and deals with leaving her old friends behind. To boost your listening skills, follow these three steps: First, listen to the story with subtitles. Next, explore useful vocabulary and expressions we highlight. Finally, challenge yourself by listening to the story again without any text. Ready to learn English with us? Let's get started! Hey, I'm Sophia. I was living in the same city for twenty seven years. Now, I'm embarking on a new chapter in my life. It's hard to believe it's finally happening. Having lived and studied Chemistry in Poznan in Poland, I spent a year searching for work without much luck. But everything changed when I landed a position in a chemistry lab in Berlin. I can hardly believe it! To be honest, the decision to move to Germany has a lot to do with my best friend, Daniel. I met Daniel, an American who lives in Berlin, two years ago. We have had a great time together, hanging out and talking for hours on end. Since then, the idea of moving to where he lives and exploring a new country has been increasingly on my mind. Recently, I was in Berlin checking out apartments. After a few disappointments, I finally found a lovely place. My new room is in a two person flat on the third floor, with a large window overlooking a garden. It is bright and beautiful. Yasmin, my future flatmate from Turkey, greeted me warmly, and we hit it off instantly. Now, I'm faced with the challenge of wrapping up my life in Poznan. I have so many memories of my live in this city long nights with friends, funny and sometimes sad events, and countless deep conversations. Every item in my room holds a story. Now, I have to sort through my belongings and decide what to keep, sell, or give away. A friend of mine who's moving to a farmhouse outside Poznan, will take over some of my furniture, which is a relief. The farewell party was unforgettable. We celebrated in my small apartment, surrounded by half packed boxes filled with memories. Pavel played guitar, and we sang our favorite songs Polish classics and English hits. Everyone brought something along snacks, soup, sweets, small gifts, or just a funny tale from our time together. The evening was filled with laughter, with a few tears shed at the end. When the party was over, my heart felt heavy. I wouldn't see my friends again for a long time. But of course, we'll stay in touch, no matter how far apart we are. Now, I sit here contemplating my next steps. I wonder what my life in Germany will be like. Will I settle in? Will I make new friends? Luckily, there's Yasmin, my flatmate. I hope my new colleagues in the lab will be nice too. It's a farewell and a new beginning all at once. I'm excited, but there's also a bit of fear. But I'm ready to take this step. Goodbye, Poznan. Hello, Berlin! I'm ready for my new adventure. Useful Words and Expressions to land a position to get a job or role, usually after a lot of effort Examples. After months of interviews, she finally landed a position at her dream company. Everything changed when I landed a position in a chemistry lab in Berlin. to be on one's mind to keep thinking about something Her upcoming wedding is constantly on her mind. The idea of moving to Berlin and exploring a new country has been increasingly on my mind. the disappointment The feeling of sadness or displeasure when something doesn't go as expected Losing the match was a big disappointment for the team. After a few disappointments, I finally found a lovely place. to hit it off to get along well with someone immediately Examples. I didn't expect to hit it off with my new colleague so quickly. Yasmin, my future flatmate from Turkey, greeted me warmly, and we hit it off instantly. to wrap up one's life to bring an end to one's current way of living, often because of a significant change He is wrapping up his life in New York to start fresh in London. Now, I'm faced with the challenge of wrapping up my life in Poznan. countless too many to be counted Examples. There are countless stars in the sky. I have so many memories of my life in this city long nights with friends and countless deep conversations. to sort through something to look through a collection of items to decide what to keep or give away She spent the weekend sorting through old photos. Now, I have to sort through my belongings and decide what to keep, sell, or give away. to bring something along To take something with you when you go somewhere Examples. Please bring your laptop along to the meeting. Everyone brought something along snacks, soup, sweets, small gifts, or just a funny tale from our time together. my heart felt heavy to felt sad or emotional My heart felt heavy when I left my family at the airport. When the party was over, my heart felt heavy. to stay in touch to continue communicating with someone They stayed in touch through letters and phone calls. But of course, we'll stay in touch, no matter how far apart we are. to settle in To become comfortable in a new place or situation Examples. It took a few weeks to settle in at the new job. I wonder what my life in Germany will be like. Will I settle in? to take a step to make a significant decision or change Taking this step towards a healthier lifestyle was the best decision. I'm excited about starting my new job in Berlin, but there's also a bit of fear. But I'm ready to take this step. Hey, I'm Sophia. I was living in the same city for twenty seven years. Now, I'm embarking on a new chapter in my life. It's hard to believe it's finally happening. Having lived and studied Chemistry in Poznan in Poland, I spent a year searching for work without much luck. But everything changed when I landed a position in a chemistry lab in Berlin. I can hardly believe it! To be honest, the decision to move to Germany has a lot to do with my best friend, Daniel. I met Daniel, an American who lives in Berlin, two years ago. We have had a great time together, hanging out and talking for hours on end. Since then, the idea of moving to where he lives and exploring a new country has been increasingly on my mind. Recently, I was in Berlin checking out apartments. After a few disappointments, I finally found a lovely place. My new room is in a two person flat on the third floor, with a large window overlooking a garden. It is bright and beautiful. Yasmin, my future flatmate from Turkey, greeted me warmly, and we hit it off instantly. Now, I'm faced with the challenge of wrapping up my life in Poznan. I have so many memories of my life in this city long nights with friends, funny and sometimes sad events, and countless deep conversations. Every item in my room holds a story. Now, I have to sort through my belongings and decide what to keep, sell, or give away. A friend of mine who's moving to a farmhouse outside Poznan, will take over some of my furniture, which is a relief. The farewell party was unforgettable. We celebrated in my small apartment, surrounded by half packed boxes filled with memories. Pavel played guitar, and we sang our favorite songs Polish classics and English hits. Everyone brought something along snacks, soup, sweets, small gifts, or just a funny tale from our time together. The evening was filled with laughter, with a few tears shed at the end. When the party was over, my heart felt heavy. I wouldn't see my friends again for a long time. But of course, we'll stay in touch, no matter how far apart we are. Now, I sit here contemplating my next steps. I wonder what my life in Germany will be like. Will I settle in? Will I make new friends? Luckily, there's Yasmin, my flatmate. I hope my new colleagues in the lab will be nice too. It's a farewell and a new beginning all at once. I'm excited, but there's also a bit of fear. But I'm ready to take this step. Goodbye, Poznan. Hello, Berlin! I'm ready for my new adventure.