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Beyond the Beginner Read-Along Transcripts

How I Learned to Drink Coffee: ESL Edition

7/5/2025

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Read Original Version Here: C1-C2
CEFR Level B2-C1
​
I turned 40 without learning to drink coffee. I grew up in the United States where everyone drinks coffee. Despite this, I liked hot black tea with milk and a few granules of sugar. If hot tea was unavailable, I would drink sweet tea, a common drink in the US South. Sweet tea is also called iced tea. 


One day in the spring of 2025, WaWa opened in my town. To advertise their opening, the convenience store mailed coupons for free food and beverages. One coupon offered a free hot latte. I decided to try it.

To my surprise, I enjoyed the latte. That started a craving for hot, sweet, coffee. This craving lasted a month, but I could only afford one $2 coffee each week.

I experimented with the ratio of coffee to sweetened creamer. Soon, I discovered that I prefer hot coffee and creamer with just a little sugar.

About a month later, I went on a trip. I tried the coffee at the hotel restaurant. It was bitter and reminded me of why I disliked coffee.

I experimented. I filled my mug ⅓ full with hot cocoa, then added coffee, topping it all off with vanilla-flavored creamer. Thoroughly mixed, this beverage tasted and got me through an exhausting week.  


Back at home, my craving for coffee was broken. I returned to drinking hot tea. Still, I know that I can drink coffee. This is a relief because I want to fit in wherever I travel. Maybe I will never be able to drink black coffee without milk, but surely drinking some type of coffee opens up social opportunities that I would miss if I drank no coffee.
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    Some Beyond the Beginner podcast videos are from posts on The Variety Page. 

    Some Variety Page posts have been edited to be suitable for audio content or for ESL learners. Those are posted on this page.
Jill Hames is a writer, biblical studies teacher, and musician who creates content for adult learners. 
BA Music | MLIS | TEFL-certified | MDiv Student
​[email protected]

​Copyright 2026
  • Home
    • About
    • Courses >
      • Connect New Testament Culture to Yours
      • Learn to Read Music
      • ESL Language >
        • Beyond the Beginner Read-Alongs
  • Biblical Studies
    • Biblical Greek
    • Biblical Hebrew
  • Music
  • Writing
    • The Variety Page Blog
  • Shop
    • The Variety Page Reads