English Dialogue: Talking About New Year’s Resolutions
Characters:
- Alex
- Jamie
(Alex and Jamie are catching up over coffee at a café.)
Alex: Hey, Jamie! Happy New Year! How’s it going so far?
Jamie: Happy New Year to you too! It’s been good, just relaxing after the holidays. How about you?
Alex: Same here. I’ve been thinking a lot about New Year’s resolutions, you know, goals for the year. Do you make resolutions?
Jamie: Yeah, I usually do, but I don’t always stick to them. Last year, I said I’d exercise more, but… well, that didn’t last long. [laughs]
Alex: Oh, I know how that goes! I promised myself I’d learn Spanish, but I only took a few lessons before giving up.
Jamie: So, are you trying again this year?
Alex: Yeah, I think so. This time, I’m setting smaller goals—like learning just five new words a day instead of trying to master the whole language at once.
Jamie: That’s smart! They say breaking big goals into smaller steps makes them easier to achieve.
Alex: Exactly! What about you? Any resolutions for this year?
Jamie: Well, I want to save more money. I spent way too much last year on things I didn’t really need.
Alex: Oh, that’s a good one. How are you planning to do that?
Jamie: I’m going to start budgeting—tracking my expenses and cutting back on unnecessary stuff, like eating out so much.
Alex: That sounds practical. Maybe I should do that too. My bank account could use some love. [laughs]
Jamie: [laughs] Right? Another thing I want to focus on is my health. Not just exercise, but also eating better and sleeping more.
Alex: That’s important. I’ve been feeling really tired lately, and I think it’s because I stay up too late scrolling on my phone.
Jamie: Same! Maybe we should both try a “no phones after 10 PM” rule.
Alex: That’s a great idea. Accountability helps—we can check in with each other to stay on track.
Jamie: Deal! Speaking of accountability, do you think telling people about your resolutions makes you more likely to stick to them?
Alex: Hmm, I think so. If I tell my friends I’m learning Spanish, they might ask me about it, and I won’t want to let them down.
Jamie: True. But sometimes, if I tell too many people, I feel pressured, and then I just give up.
Alex: Yeah, that makes sense. Maybe just telling one or two close friends is better.
Jamie: Agreed. So, besides Spanish and saving money, do you have any other goals?
Alex: I want to read more books. Last year, I barely read anything because I was always on my phone.
Jamie: Oh, me too! Maybe we could start a little book club—just picking one book a month and discussing it.
Alex: I love that idea! It’ll keep us motivated. Any book recommendations?
Jamie: Hmm, I’ve been wanting to read Atomic Habits—it’s all about building good habits and breaking bad ones.
Alex: Perfect! That fits right in with our resolutions.
Jamie: [laughs] Yeah, it’s like killing two birds with one stone—we’ll read more and learn how to stick to our goals.
Alex: Exactly! So, when do we start?
Jamie: How about next week? That’ll give me time to get the book.
Alex: Sounds good. I’ll order it too.
Jamie: Awesome. Oh, and one more thing—I want to travel more this year. Even if it’s just short trips nearby.
Alex: That’s a fun resolution! Any places in mind?
Jamie: I’ve always wanted to visit the mountains. Maybe a weekend hiking trip?
Alex: Count me in! Fresh air and nature sound amazing.
Jamie: Great! It’ll be a good way to relax and stay active.
Alex: Yeah, and it’s better than just saying, “I’ll exercise more” without a real plan.
Jamie: Right? Specific goals work better.
Alex: So, to sum it up—this year, we’re learning Spanish, saving money, reading more, sleeping better, and traveling?
Jamie: [laughs] When you say it like that, it sounds like a lot!
Alex: [laughs] True, but we’ll take it step by step.
Jamie: Yeah, one month at a time. And if we slip up, we can always start again.
Alex: Exactly. No pressure—just progress.
Jamie: I like that mindset. Here’s to a productive and fun year!
Alex: Cheers to that! [raises coffee cup]
Jamie: [clinks cup] Happy New Year!
Key Phrases for English Learners:
- “How’s it going so far?” – A casual way to ask about someone’s recent experiences.
- “Do you make resolutions?” – Asking about habits or traditions.
- “I don’t always stick to them.” – Admitting difficulty in following through.
- “Breaking big goals into smaller steps…” – A useful strategy for success.
- “That sounds practical.” – Agreeing that an idea is reasonable.
- “Accountability helps.” – Being responsible to someone else keeps you motivated.
- “Killing two birds with one stone.” – Achieving two things at once.
- “No pressure—just progress.” – Encouraging a relaxed approach to goals.
- “Cheers to that!” – A friendly way to agree or celebrate.
