My greatest interests are my family
I'm a passionate software developer.
Speaking
Dialog
My greatest interests are my family. Years ago, I wanted to make something of myself in my profession . . . you know . . . get ahead in life. Over time, however, I realized that the most important things in life lived within the walls of my own home, and today, I try to put them first.
At the end of the day, I’m under no illusions, my kids won’t give a second thought to the work I did outside of the home; What’ll actually stick with them are the moments we spent together.
Therefore, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have four children, and we are big on hitting the trails, usually heading out to Utah. On our hikes, we often talk about life, and I tell stories or share personal experiences.
There’s something about the great outdoors, I can focus on the kids without the distractions of video games or the internet. Telling stories sounds easy, but when you have to think of a new story on a hot, 12-kilometer hike through the desert, you have to come up with ideas off the top of your head.
Now, don't get me wrong, it's not all sunshine and roses, all families face challenges in their lives, and our family is no exception. However, But rather than sweeping things under the rug, and we try to solve our problems together. Building a strong family takes time, but it is worth the effort.
Vocabulary
| make something of myself | get ahead in | Over time |
|---|---|---|
| At the end of the day | I’m under no illusions | give a second thought |
| stick with | hitting the trails |
big on |
heading out to |
great outdoors |
off the top of your head. |
all sunshine and roses |
sweeping things under the rug |
- make something of myself
Definition: To become successful or respected through hard work and effort. Sample sentence: He worked very hard because he wanted to make something of himself. Portuguese: ser alguém na vida; tornar-se bem-sucedido
- get ahead in
Definition: To make progress or become successful in a particular area of life or work. Sample sentence: She studied every day to get ahead in her career. Portuguese: progredir em; crescer em
- within the walls
Definition: Inside the home or within a private/family environment. Sample sentence: True happiness can often be found within the walls of our own home. Portuguese: dentro de casa; no ambiente familiar
- Over time
Definition: Gradually, as time passes. Sample sentence: Over time, he became more confident speaking English. Portuguese: com o tempo
- At the end of the day
Definition: Ultimately; when everything is considered. Sample sentence: At the end of the day, family is what matters most to her. Portuguese: no fim das contas; no final das contas
- To be under no illusions
Definition: To clearly understand the reality of a situation, even if it is difficult. Sample sentence: She was under no illusions about how challenging the job would be. Portuguese: não ter ilusões; estar plenamente consciente
- give a second thought
Definition: To think carefully again about something. Often used in negative form. Sample sentence: I didn’t give a second thought to moving abroad. Portuguese: pensar duas vezes; reconsiderar
- big on
Definition: Very enthusiastic or interested in something. Sample sentence: My family is big on outdoor activities and sports. Portuguese: ser fã de; gostar muito de
- stick with
Definition: To continue doing or supporting something despite difficulties. Sample sentence: If you stick with learning English, you will improve a lot. Portuguese: persistir em; continuar com
- hitting the trails
Definition: Going hiking or walking on nature trails. Sample sentence: We love hitting the trails on weekends. Portuguese: ir fazer trilhas
- heading out to
Definition: Leaving to go to a place. Sample sentence: We’re heading out to the mountains tomorrow morning. Portuguese: indo para; partindo para
- great outdoors
Definition: Nature and outdoor environments like forests, mountains, and parks. Sample sentence: He enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. Portuguese: a natureza; o ar livre
- off the top of your head
Definition: Said without preparation or without thinking deeply first. Sample sentence: Off the top of my head, I can think of three good restaurants nearby. Portuguese: de cabeça; de improviso
- all sunshine and roses
Definition: Completely perfect or without problems. Usually used negatively. Sample sentence: Life abroad isn’t always sunshine and roses. Portuguese: mil maravilhas; perfeito o tempo todo
- sweeping things under the rug
Definition: Ignoring problems instead of dealing with them. Sample sentence: Good families talk about problems instead of sweeping things under the rug. Portuguese: varrer os problemas para debaixo do tapete
Exercises
Reading comprehension
How did the speaker’s priorities change over time?
Why does the speaker believe family moments will be more important to his children than his professional achievements?
What does the family usually do when they go to Utah?
Why does the speaker enjoy spending time with his children in the great outdoors?
How does the speaker say his family deals with problems and challenges
Fill-in-the-Blanks Exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct vocabulary expressions.
Vocabulary Bank: [make something of myself, get ahead, in within the walls, over time, at the end of the day, under no illusions, give a second thought, stick with, big on, hitting the trails, heading out to, great outdoors, off the top of your head, all sunshine and roses ,sweeping things under the rug]
When he was younger, he wanted to work hard and __________________ in his profession.
She studied every night because she wanted to __________________ her career.
The speaker realized that the most important things in life were __________________ of his own home.
__________________, his view of success changed completely.
__________________, what really matters to him is his family. He is __________________ about the fact that his children may not remember his professional achievements.
Many years from now, his children probably won’t __________________ to the work he did outside the home.
What will really __________________ his children are the moments they spent together.
His family is __________________ outdoor activities and spending time in nature.
On weekends, they enjoy __________________ together as a family.
They usually go __________________ Utah for their hikes.
In the __________________, the speaker can focus on his children without distractions.
During long hikes, he sometimes has to create stories __________________.
The speaker admits that family life is not always __________________.
Instead of __________________, the family tries to talk about their problems and solve them together.
Sentences
Create one specific sentence for each word or expression from the vocabulary list.
Challenge Section
Story telling
Storytelling is the art of communicating ideas, emotions, or messages through a story instead of just giving information.
Include the words provided in the vocabulary section.
Role play
For this exercise, you will practice using the vocabulary related to this dialog by acting out a role-play scenario.
Include the words provided in the vocabulary section.
Produce
Create Your Own Dialog
Instructions:
Using the new words/expressions you’ve learned.
Personal experience
Talk about your past experience with the topic.
