ENGLISH CONVERSATION PRACTICE · Voice Reading Edition
7 episodes · 1698+ total words · Column A = English | Column B = Indonesian
Episode 1 · The First Day of Internship
Reza: Good morning! Is this the HR office?
Sari: Yes, it is. Are you the new intern?
Reza: That's right. My name is Reza. I submitted my resume last week.
Sari: Welcome, Reza! I'm Sari from HR. Let me walk you through the onboarding process.
Reza: Thank you. I have to admit, I feel a little nervous.
Sari: That's completely normal. Everyone feels that way on their first day. You'll be working with the content team.
Reza: I saw in the job description that proficiency in writing is required. I've been practicing a lot.
Sari: Great. Your supervisor, Pak Danu, is very methodical. He'll expect everything to be submitted on time.
Reza: I understand. Punctuality is something I take seriously.
Sari: Perfect. There's also a probation period of three months. During this time, we'll evaluate your performance.
Reza: That sounds fair. I'll give my best effort.
Sari: I'm sure you will. One more thing — the dress code here is smart casual. Nothing too formal.
Reza: Got it. Should I bring my own laptop?
Sari: We'll provide one. But feel free to bring your own if you're more comfortable with it.
Reza: Understood. Is there anything I should prepare before meeting the team?
Sari: Just bring a notepad and an open mind. The team is very welcoming. You'll fit in quickly.
Reza: That's reassuring. I really appreciate your help, Sari.
Sari: Of course. Let's go meet Pak Danu now.
Episode 2 · Cooking Class
Chef Mira: Welcome everyone! Today we're going to learn how to make a proper beef rendang.
Student Arif: Exciting! I've eaten rendang many times but never actually cooked it.
Chef Mira: The most important part is the spices. We need turmeric, coriander, lemongrass, cardamom, ginger, garlic, and shallots.
Student Arif: That's quite a lot of ingredients. Do we blend all of them together?
Chef Mira: Almost. We blend most of them, but the lemongrass is bruised and added whole.
Student Nia: What about the candlenut? I heard that's important for the texture.
Chef Mira: Good catch, Nia! Yes, candlenut makes the sauce thicker and adds a nutty depth.
Student Arif: How long do we cook it?
Chef Mira: At least two hours. The key is to simmer it on low heat and stir frequently so it doesn't burn.
Student Nia: And the coconut milk — when do we add it?
Chef Mira: Right at the beginning, after the spice paste is fragrant. Then we let everything cook down slowly.
Student Arif: I always thought rendang was just fried. I didn't know it involved so much technique.
Chef Mira: That's a common misconception. Rendang is actually braised, not fried. The result should be rich, dark, and savory.
Student Nia: Can we add chili to make it spicy?
Chef Mira: Absolutely! Adjust it to your appetite. Some people love it very hot, others prefer it mild.
Student Arif: This smells incredible already and we just started!
Chef Mira: That's the magic of fresh spices. Now, let's get our mortar and pestle ready and begin.
Episode 3 · Late Night Study Session
Bima: Hey, are you still awake? It's almost midnight.
Cinta: I know. I'm trying to finish this essay about environmental issues. It's due tomorrow morning.
Bima: That sounds stressful. What's the main topic?
Cinta: Deforestation and its effects on endangered species. I need to discuss how the loss of rainforest leads to extinction.
Bima: That's a heavy topic. Have you talked about pollution yet?
Cinta: Yes, I included a section on how industrial pollution contaminates wetlands and disrupts the whole ecosystem.
Bima: Have you mentioned anything about climate resilience? That's a strong angle.
Cinta: Not yet. I wasn't sure how to connect it.
Bima: Think about it this way — communities that are resilient find ways to adapt even after droughts and floods.
Cinta: Oh, that's a good point. I can connect resilience with prevention strategies.
Bima: Exactly. And don't forget to mention how awareness campaigns help shift public behavior.
Cinta: Right. I also want to add something about biodiversity and how diverse ecosystems are more stable.
Bima: Good idea. Do you have enough references?
Cinta: Three journal articles and two government reports. I think that's sufficient.
Bima: Sounds solid. What format does your professor require?
Cinta: At least one thousand words, double spaced, with a clear introduction and conclusion.
Bima: You're almost there then. Just proofread carefully before you submit.
Cinta: I always do. Thanks for keeping me company, Bima.
Bima: Anytime. Don't forget to sleep after this.
Episode 4 · The Market Negotiation
Buyer: Excuse me, how much is this batik fabric?
Seller: This one is two hundred thousand rupiah per meter.
Buyer: That seems a bit expensive. Is the price negotiable?
Seller: It depends on how much you buy. If you take three meters or more, I can give you a discount.
Buyer: I need four meters. Can we bargain a little more?
Seller: For four meters, I'll give it to you for one hundred and seventy thousand per meter. That's my final offer.
Buyer: Hmm. The quality is really good though. The texture feels premium.
Seller: This is handmade by an artisan from Solo. Every pattern is unique and genuine.
Buyer: I can see the craftsmanship. Do you have a receipt for the purchase?
Seller: Of course. I'll write one for you. Do you want it wrapped?
Buyer: Yes please. Can you also fold it neatly so it doesn't wrinkle?
Seller: No problem. Are you from around here?
Buyer: No, I'm visiting from Jakarta. I always try to buy local goods when I travel.
Seller: That means a lot to small vendors like us. Thank you sincerely.
Buyer: Of course. Your heritage crafts deserve recognition.
Seller: Here you go — four meters, neatly folded, with your receipt.
Buyer: Perfect. Thank you so much. I'll definitely come back.
Episode 5 · Doctor's Consultation
Patient: Good afternoon, doctor. I've been feeling unwell for about five days now.
Doctor: I'm sorry to hear that. Can you describe your symptoms?
Patient: I have a persistent headache, a slight fever, and I feel dizzy when I stand up quickly.
Doctor: How long have you had the fever?
Patient: Since Tuesday. It's not very high, but it won't go away.
Doctor: Any cough or sore throat?
Patient: A mild cough, yes. And my digestion has been off too. I feel bloated after every meal.
Doctor: I see. Based on your symptoms, this could be a viral infection. It's also quite contagious, so you should rest at home.
Patient: Should I take any medicine?
Doctor: I'll prescribe something for the fever and headache. Also drink plenty of fluids and avoid cold beverages.
Patient: What about going back to work?
Doctor: I'd recommend at least three days of rest. Your immune system needs time to recover.
Patient: Understood. Is this condition dangerous?
Doctor: Not if you treat it properly. But if the fever gets worse or you develop difficulty breathing, come back immediately.
Patient: I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, doctor.
Doctor: Take care of yourself. Here's your prescription and a medical leave note.
Patient: That's very helpful. I appreciate it.
Episode 6 · The Business Pitch
Dian: Good morning, everyone. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to present today.
Investor: Of course. We've reviewed your proposal briefly. Please go ahead.
Dian: Our venture is a mobile platform that connects local artisans with buyers across the archipelago.
Investor: Interesting. What problem are you solving exactly?
Dian: Many talented artisans lack the branding and distribution channels to reach wider audiences. They make beautiful products but have no visibility.
Investor: And your solution is the platform itself?
Dian: Yes. We provide a digital storefront, logistics support, and marketing tools. Our goal is to amplify their reach without requiring technical expertise.
Investor: What's your current benchmark in terms of users?
Dian: We have two thousand active sellers and over fifteen thousand buyers in our beta phase.
Investor: That's a decent milestone. What's your revenue model?
Dian: We take a small commission on each transaction. We also offer premium branding packages for sellers who want more visibility.
Investor: What are the main obstacles you're facing right now?
Dian: Logistics is still a bottleneck in remote areas. And some sellers are reluctant to adopt digital tools.
Investor: How do you plan to overcome that?
Dian: We're partnering with local couriers and running free workshops to build digital literacy among our seller community.
Investor: Smart approach. What are you looking for from us specifically?
Dian: Seed funding and mentorship. We believe with the right leverage, we can scale nationally within eighteen months.
Investor: I like the concept. Let's schedule a follow-up meeting next week to discuss the terms.
Dian: That's wonderful. Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.
Episode 7 · The Long Train Journey
Hani: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
Faiz: No, please go ahead. Are you traveling far?
Hani: All the way to Yogyakarta. About seven hours by train.
Faiz: Same destination! I'm visiting family there. Do you have any luggage in the overhead rack?
Hani: Just a small backpack. I like to travel light.
Faiz: I always overpack. This time I promised myself to be more minimal.
Hani: What do you do in Yogyakarta when you visit?
Faiz: Mostly eat! The cuisine there is incredible. Have you tried gudeg before?
Hani: Of course! It's my favorite. Though I find it a bit too sweet sometimes.
Faiz: There's a warung near Malioboro that makes a savory version with extra spice. It's a hidden gem.
Hani: I'll have to try that! Are you staying long?
Faiz: Four days. I want to visit the Prambanan temple too. The heritage there is remarkable.
Hani: It's breathtaking. Every time I go, I feel a profound sense of history.
Faiz: Have you been to the batik workshops there? The artisans are incredible.
Hani: Yes! I even tried making one myself. It took so much patience and skill.
Faiz: I can imagine. Some patterns take days to complete. The craftsmanship is truly timeless.
Hani: Exactly. I always buy a souvenir from every place I visit. Something authentic, not the plastic stuff.
Faiz: That's a wonderful habit. Are you a frequent traveler?
Hani: I try to travel at least once a month. It keeps me curious and grateful.
Faiz: I feel the same way. Travel teaches you things no classroom ever could.