Choosing a New Online Course
Two friends discuss different online courses they are considering to learn a new skill, comparing platforms, content, and time commitment.
两位朋友讨论他们正在考虑学习新技能的不同在线课程，比较平台、内容和所需时间。
对话
聆听并跟进对话
词汇
对话中的必备词汇和短语
brush up on
To review and improve a skill you already have a little knowledge of. Use it when talking about refreshing old abilities, like 'I need to brush up on my English.'
复习并提升你已经具备一点知识的技能。在谈论刷新旧技能时使用，比如“我需要复习一下我的英语。”
comprehensive
Complete and including many details or aspects. Useful for describing courses or books that cover a topic fully, as in 'This is a comprehensive guide.'
完整且包括许多细节或方面。用于描述全面涵盖某个主题的课程或书籍，例如“这是一本全面的指南。”
time commitment
The amount of time you need to spend on something. Common in discussions about classes or projects, like 'It requires a big time commitment.'
你需要花费在某事上的时间量。在关于课程或项目的讨论中常见，比如‘它需要很大的时间投入。’
leaning towards
To prefer or be inclined to choose something. Use it when expressing a slight preference, such as 'I'm leaning towards the cheaper option.'
倾向于选择某事。用它来表达轻微的偏好，例如“我倾向于选择更便宜的选项。”
trade-off
A balance where you give up one thing to get another. Practical for decisions like courses, e.g., 'The trade-off is time versus quality.'
一种平衡，你放弃一件事来获得另一件事。在像课程这样的决策中实用，例如，'权衡是时间与质量。'
reviews
Opinions or feedback from people who have used something, like a course. Check them online to decide, as in 'The reviews are positive.'
使用过某事物的用户的意见或反馈，例如课程。在线查看它们来决定，例如“评论是积极的。”
in-depth
Detailed and thorough, going beyond the basics. Use for advanced content, like 'I want an in-depth analysis.'
详细而彻底，超越基础。用作高级内容，例如“我想要一个深入分析。”
certifications
Official documents proving you have completed a course or skill. Helpful for jobs, e.g., 'This certification will help my career.'
证明您已完成课程或技能的官方文件。有助于求职，例如，'此认证将有助于我的职业生涯。'
audit
To take a course for free without getting credit or certificate. Common on platforms like edX, as in 'You can audit the class first.'
免费参加课程而不获得学分或证书。在edX等平台上常见，例如“你可以先审计这个课程。”
compare notes
To share and discuss information or experiences. Use with friends after researching, like 'Let's compare notes on the courses.'
分享和讨论信息或经验。研究后与朋友使用，比如 '让我们比较一下课程的笔记。'
关键句型
需要记住和练习的重要短语
I'm trying to decide between a couple of online courses.
This sentence uses 'trying to decide between' to show choosing from options. It's useful for everyday decisions and shows present continuous for ongoing actions. Use it when discussing choices like classes or products.
这个句子使用 'trying to decide between' 来表示从选项中选择。它对日常决策很有用，并展示了现在进行时用于正在进行的动作。在讨论像课程或产品这样的选择时使用它。
There's one on Coursera that looks pretty comprehensive, but it's a huge time commitment.
Here, 'but' connects contrasting ideas: a positive (comprehensive) and a negative (time commitment). Great for balancing pros and cons in conversations about commitments. The structure helps express trade-offs clearly.
这里，'but' 连接了对比的想法：一个积极的（全面）和一个消极的（时间投入）。在关于承诺的对话中，这很适合平衡利弊。这种结构有助于清晰地表达权衡取舍。
That's always the trade-off, isn't it?
A tag question 'isn't it?' seeks agreement and makes talk more interactive. Useful in discussions to confirm shared views. 'Trade-off' highlights compromises, common in decision-making talks.
附加疑问句 '不是吗？' 寻求同意，使对话更具互动性。在讨论中用于确认共享观点很有用。'Trade-off' 强调妥协，在决策谈话中很常见。
Have you checked the reviews for the Udemy course?
Present perfect 'have you checked' asks about recent actions with current relevance. Practical for advising on research, like products or services. It encourages sharing opinions in casual chats.
现在完成时 'have you checked' 用于询问最近的行动及其与当前的关联性。适用于建议研究产品或服务等实际场合。它鼓励在随意聊天中分享意见。
Some say it's great for beginners, others wish it went more in-depth.
This uses 'some... others...' to show mixed opinions. 'Wish it went' is subjunctive for unreal desires. Helpful for summarizing reviews or debates, showing balanced views in learning discussions.
这使用“some... others...”来显示混合意见。“Wish it went”是用于非现实愿望的虚拟语气。有助于总结评论或辩论，在学习讨论中展示平衡观点。
Certifications are definitely a plus.
'A plus' means an advantage. 'Definitely' adds emphasis. Use this short sentence to highlight benefits, like in job or skill talks. It's idiomatic and natural for positive points.
'A plus' 意思是优势。'Definitely' 添加了强调。这个短句用于突出好处，比如在工作或技能讨论中。它是习语化的，对积极点来说很自然。
Have you considered edX?
Present perfect 'have you considered' inquires about past thoughts with present impact. Useful for suggesting alternatives politely. Common in advice-giving scenarios like course selection.
现在完成时 'have you considered' 用于询问过去想法对现在的影响。在礼貌地建议替代方案时很有用。在如课程选择等给出建议的场景中很常见。
Let me know what you find. Maybe we can compare notes later this week.
Imperative 'let me know' requests updates casually. 'Maybe' softens suggestions. This pattern builds rapport in ongoing conversations, ideal for planning to share info later.
祈使句“let me know”随意地请求更新。“Maybe”缓和了建议。这种模式在持续对话中建立 rapport，适合计划稍后分享信息。