[0:00]London, finally! But wait, where is the exit? I am lost.
[0:11]Excuse me, sir. Can you help me? Where is the train station?
[0:19]Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Check the information desk over there.
[0:26]The desk? Where is it? Everything is so big and fast here.
[0:35]Excuse me, ma'am. Is this the way to central London?
[0:42]Oh, you need the express train. It's on Level 3. Go fast!
[0:51]Level 3 or Level 2? I'm sorry, can you say that again?
[1:02]I don't understand. Why does everyone speak so fast today?
[1:10]Hello? Excuse me. Do you know where the bus station is? What? Sorry. I can't hear you. My taxi is here. Bye!
[1:27]I feel invisible. No one wants to stop and talk to me.
[1:35]Excuse me, officer. I am looking for the Underground.
[1:42]Keep moving, please. Don't block the way. Follow the signs over there. Which sign? There are 20 signs on that wall! I have a map. Let's see... Terminals... Gates... Oh no. Is my English bad? I studied for years for this trip.
[2:14]Excuse me, girl. Do you speak English? I need help. Yeah, but I'm late for my flight. Use Google Maps, lady.
[2:28]My phone is dead. No battery. No maps. I am truly lost.
[2:42]I just want to find a taxi. Where are the taxis?
[2:49]I sit down now. My legs are tired and my heart is heavy.
[2:56]Watch out! You are in the way! Move your bag, please. Oh...
[3:04]I'm sorry. I am just trying to find my way.
[3:13]In my house, English was easy. Here, it is a nightmare.
[3:23]The train for Central London is now leaving from Platform 4.
[3:31]Platform 4? Where is that? Someone please tell me!
[3:42]Everyone has a place to go. I am the only one staying here. I wanna cry. This is not the London I dreamed about.
[4:00]Maybe I should go back. Is there a flight home today? I miss my mom. I miss my room. I am so scared right now.
[4:16]Are you okay, miss? You look a bit lost.
[4:22]Oh. Yes... I mean, no. I am lost. Where is... wait. They are gone. I am too slow. My words are too slow for this city. One more try. I must find the hotel. I can do this.
[4:48]Excuse me, sir. Is this the way to the bus station? I'm sorry, dear. I can't hear very well. Speak up and hurry, please. I am like a ghost. No one sees me. No one hears me. A2 English is for books. It is not for this busy airport.
[5:19]Please, God. Send someone kind. Send someone to help. I am alone in London. And no one understands me.
[5:39]Hello there. You look very lost. Do you need some help today? Oh. Hello. Yes. I am very lost. I don't know where to go. It is okay. Don't be afraid. I can help you find your way.
[6:04]Thank you. I am trying to find my hotel, but it is hard.
[6:13]I see. Why didn't you ask the people over there for help? I tried. But the people here are very busy and loud.
[6:28]Did they answer you? Londoners can be very fast sometimes. Yes, they spoke to me. But I couldn't understand anything. Don't feel bad. English is difficult when people hurry. I understand some words. But they speak way too fast for me.
[6:57]That is the problem. They don't know you are a learner. When they speak fast, my mind goes blank. I forget everything.
[7:30]Stop right there, Emily. You are not a failure. You are learning. Listen to me. Learning English is a marathon, not a sprint. A marathon? But I want to understand everything right now.
[7:55]You can't. A marathon takes time. You must go step by step. Step by step. So it is okay if I am slow today? Yes. It is better to be slow and correct than fast and lost.
[8:21]I see. I always try to hurry because everyone else hurries. Forget them. Care about your progress, not their speed.
[8:35]Okay. I will try to be patient with myself from now on.
[8:44]Good. Now look at me. I will speak very slowly for you. Can you understand me now? Yes! I understand every word. That is so much better. Great. I am using simple words. Uh huh. I am using a slow speed.
[9:14]Why don't other people speak like you? It is so easy.
[9:21]Because they are in a rush. You must ask them to slow down. Ask them? But I don't want to be a problem for them.
[9:36]You are not a problem. You are a guest in this city. A guest. I like that. I feel a bit more confident now. Good. Let's practice. I will say a sentence, you repeat it. I am a traveler. I am a... A traveler. I said it! I said it correctly. Excellent. You are improving fast. See? You can do it. I feel strong. I can speak English when I am calm. Exactly. Calm mind, clear English. That is the secret. Thank you, John. You are a very kind stranger. A true friend. I am happy to help. Now let's find your hotel together. To talk to Londoners, you only need two magic sentences. Are you ready? Magic sentences? Really? Yes! Please teach me right now, John. First. Don't be afraid to say: "I am sorry, I don't understand." But isn't that bad? They will think my English is very poor.
[11:21]No, it shows you are listening. It is better than just nodding.
[11:31]"I'm sorry, I don't understand." OK, I will try to say that. Good. Now the second magic sentence. "Can you speak slowly please?" "Can you speak slowly please?" That sounds very, very useful.
[11:55]Exactly. When they speak fast, you must ask them to slow down.
[12:05]Will they be angry if I ask? People here are always in a hurry. Most people are kind. They just don't know you are a learner. I see. So I just need to be brave and say these two things. Yes. These sentences give you power. You control the conversation. I like that. I am a traveler and I have the power to ask.
[12:43]That's the spirit. Now let's practice these phrases many times.
[12:51]Imagine I am a very fast businessman. I talk like this: Hello!
[13:02]Wait, I'm sorry. I don't understand. Can you speak slowly please? Perfect. You said it. Now let's do it with different feelings.
[13:19]Different feelings? Like being sad or being very happy? Yes, it helps your brain remember. Let's start with slowly.
[13:35]Repeat after me with a shy voice. Can you speak slowly please? Can you speak slowly please? I feel a bit nervous saying it.
[13:49]Now say with a big happy smile. Can you speak slowly please?
[13:58]Haha! Can you speak slowly please? Haha, this is actually fun, John. Good. Now with a loud, clear voice. Can you speak slowly please? Okay. Can you speak slowly please! I want everyone to hear me. Excellent. Now let's practice: I'm sorry, I don't understand.
[14:30]I'm sorry, I don't understand. My voice feels stronger now.
[14:38]Say it like you are asking a friend. I'm sorry, I don't understand. I'm sorry, I don't understand. It feels very natural this way. One more time, very politely. Can you speak slowly please?
[15:00]Can you speak slowly please? I am a polite traveler in London.
[15:09]Now combine them. I'm sorry, I don't understand. I'm sorry, I don't understand... can you speak slowly please? Fast again! I'm sorry, I... I don't understand. Speak slowly please! I'm sorry, I don't understand. Can you speak slowly please?
[15:36]Wonderful. You are master of the magic sentences now.
[15:44]I don't feel scared anymore. These words are like my shield. Remember, Emily. Communication is about connection, not perfection. Connection, not perfection. I will remember that every day.
[16:11]If you make a mistake, it is okay. Just ask them to be slow. I used to be so ashamed. But now I feel like I can try. That is the first step. You are no longer a lost traveler. I am a traveler who is learning. And that is very beautiful.
[16:41]Let's do it one last time. For the people watching this video.
[16:48]I'm sorry, I don't understand. Can you speak slowly please?
[16:57]Your turn. Say it with me: "Can you speak slowly please?"
[17:05]Great job. Now I am ready for the next lesson. Let's go.
[17:13]Great. Now you are calm. Let's learn how to find your way in London.
[17:22]Yes. I have my map, but I don't know the right English words. To find a place, always start with " Where is..." "Where is..." "Where is the train station?" Is that correct, John? Perfect. Now repeat: "Where is the taxi stand?" "Where is the taxi stand?" "Where is the hotel?" This is easy.
[18:02]Good. Now you need to understand the answer. Look at my hands. Go straight. It means move forward. Do not turn left or right. Go straight. Like a bird flying in a line. I understand.
[18:27]Now "Turn left". Use your left hand. Turn left at the corner.
[18:36]Turn left. My left hand is this one. Okay, I have it. And the opposite: Turn right. Turn right at the big blue sign.
[18:54]Turn right. Left and right. I must remember which is which. Don't worry. Just think: Left is for London. Right is for Road.
[19:12]Left for London, Right for Road. Haha. That is a good trick. Now let's combine them. Go straight and then turn left. Go straight and then turn left. I... I am like a GPS now, John. Excellent. What if a place is very close? We say it is "near".
[19:46]It is near. Like my suitcase is near my feet. Correct. Yes. And if you must walk a long time, it is "far". Very far. It is far. I don't like far. My legs are very tired today. I understand. But you are almost at the exit.
[20:19]I am close. I can feel the fresh air of London already. Stop. Stop when you see the red bus.
[20:33]Stop. That is easy. Red means stop in every language. Now a real test. Use your map. Ask me for the train station.
[20:50]Excuse me, sir. Where is the train station please? Go straight for 2 minutes. It is near the coffee shop.
[21:03]Go straight... coffee shop... Is it far from here? No, it is very near. Only a 2 minute walk. You can't miss it. Thank you. Now let's try the hotel. Where is the Grand Hotel? The Grand Hotel? Turn right and go straight. Turn right, go straight. A bit far? Should I take a taxi? Yes, a taxi is better. The taxi stand is over there on the left. Turn left for the taxi. Got it. John, I am doing it! You are learning fast, Emily. Step by step, you are winning. Step by step. I am not a lost traveler anymore. That's right. You are a traveler with a plan and a voice.
[22:16]I have a voice. I can ask "Where is...?" Hmm, and I understand. One last practice. Go straight, turn left, turn right, stop. Hahaha! Straight, left, right, stop! I did it. I am ready, John. London is waiting for you. Are you ready to walk alone? Alone? I am a bit nervous, but yes, I am ready to try. Remember. Speak slowly, ask questions, and follow the signs. Speak slowly. Ask questions. Follow signs. I can do this. Then go, Emily. Your London adventure starts now.
[23:23]Excuse me, sir. Sorry to bother you. Can I ask a question?
[23:32]Oh, hello. Yes, sure. How can I help you today, miss?
[23:40]I am looking for the bus to the city center. Where is it please? Ah, the city center bus is just outside the main door and turn right at the gate. Oh no. He is too fast! My mind is going blank again, John! Don't panic. Use your magic sentence. You have the power. I'm sorry, I don't understand you. Can you speak slowly please?
[24:17]Oh. I am so sorry. I forgot. I was speaking too fast. Let me try again. Hahaha. Thank you so much. It is my first time in London today. Welcome. OK. Go out the main door there. Then turn right at the big yellow bus gate. Turn right at the yellow gate. Is it near or far from here?
[24:55]It is very near. Only a 1 minute walk. You are very close. Thank you. You are very kind. Have a wonderful day, sir. Mm hmm. You're welcome. Good luck with your English. You are doing great. John! John! Did you see that? He understood me! He slowed down! I saw everything. You were amazing. You asked him to slow down. He didn't laugh. He was actually very happy to help me. See? People want to connect. You just have to give them a chance. Look, I see the hotel sign. It is big, red and very beautiful. I am standing in front of my hotel now. I finally made it here. At the airport, I wanted to go home. I felt so lost and lonely. But now I am here. I am in the heart of London. It is a miracle.
[26:21]I didn't need perfect English. I just needed to be a bit brave.
[26:47]Simple English is powerful. It opened the doors of London for me. I am not a ghost anymore. People saw me and they helped me.
[27:04]I am a traveler. I am a learner. And I am very proud of myself.
[27:14]London is not a nightmare now. It is a beautiful new adventure.
[29:58]I am Emily, and this is just the beginning. Goodbye for now.
