Free everyday English listening practice for daily life: listen to Mel and Josh, read along with the transcript, learn the key words and check your understanding with a short quiz.
1. Before you listen: key words
Press 🔊 to hear each word or phrase. You'll hear all of them in the conversation.
- book arrange a time in advance
- walk-in arriving without a booking
- a trim a small haircut to make hair tidy
- take off cut away (an amount of hair)
- fringe short hair at the front, over the forehead
- layers hair cut at different lengths
- How much would that be? a polite way to ask the price
2. Listen to the episode
Press Play. The line being spoken lights up so you can read along. Start with Slow if you're a beginner, then try Normal. For a challenge, hide the transcript the first time you listen.
Mel: Hi, welcome to the Listening Room. I'm Mel.
Josh: And I'm Josh. Today we're at the hairdresser, or the barber. I really need a haircut!
Mel: First, booking. On the phone you can say, 'Hi, I'd like to book a haircut, please. Do you have anything on Saturday?'
Josh: Some places take walk-ins. A walk-in means you just arrive without a booking. Ask, 'Do you take walk-ins?'
Mel: When you sit down, the hairdresser will ask, 'What are we doing today?' That means, 'What do you want?'
Josh: So I say, 'Just a trim, please.' A trim is a small cut, to make it tidy.
Mel: If you want more off, say how much: 'Can you take about two centimetres off?' or 'Short at the sides, a bit longer on top.'
Josh: A photo helps a lot. 'I'd like something like this.' Then you don't need perfect words.
Mel: Good tip. You might also hear, 'Do you want a fringe?' A fringe is the short hair at the front, over your forehead.
Josh: And 'layers' means hair cut at different lengths, so it has more shape.
Mel: Before they start, it's smart to check the price: 'How much is a men's cut?' or 'How much would that be?'
Josh: Then there's small talk. 'Have you got any plans for the weekend?' is a classic question in the chair.
Mel: You don't have to talk a lot. A short, friendly answer is fine: 'Not much, just relaxing. How about you?'
Josh: At the end, they'll show you the back with a mirror and ask, 'How's that?'
Mel: If you're happy, say, 'That's great, thanks!' If not, be polite but clear: 'Could you take a little more off the sides?'
Josh: That's important. It's your hair, so it's okay to ask for a small change.
Mel: So: book or walk in, say what you want, show a photo, check the price, and ask for changes politely.
Josh: Thanks for listening. I'm off to get that trim!
Mel: See you next time!
3. Check your understanding
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4. Shadow the hosts
Shadowing means repeating a line straight after you hear it, copying the speed, stress and rhythm. Press 🔁 next to any line in the transcript, then press 🎤 and say it. Your browser shows what it heard. Try 3 to 5 lines a day.
5. Talk about it
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a transcript for this English listening practice?
Yes. The full transcript is on this page and each line lights up as it's read. You can also print a worksheet with the transcript, questions and answers.
What English level is this episode?
Beginner (about A1–A2). Beginners can use the Slow speed and read along.
Which words will I learn in this episode?
book, walk-in, a trim, take off, fringe, layers, How much would that be?. Each one has audio and a simple meaning.
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