You sound different

Take Ivan's part first, then Ling's. Ling is surprised and curious; Ivan is proud but modest. Copy his shy "Promise you won't laugh?" and the pride he can't hide in "Exactly."

1. LingIvan? Wow. Your English sounds completely different.
2. IvanReally? Thank you. I've been working on it.
3. LingA year ago you spoke really slowly. Now you're talking like a local.
4. IvanI'm not sure about that. But I feel more comfortable.
5. LingWhat did you do? Did you take an expensive course?
6. IvanNo. Promise you won't laugh?
7. LingI can't promise. But I'll try.
8. IvanI got a job at a coffee shop near the university. Part-time, on weekends.
9. LingA coffee shop? Isn't your real job in engineering?
10. IvanIt is. But at the café, I talk to two hundred people a day. In English.
11. LingThat's a lot of conversations.
12. IvanThe first month was terrible. I gave people the wrong drinks. I said "thank you" to everything.
13. LingSo how did you get used to it?
14. IvanThe regulars helped me. An old man taught me a new phrase every morning.
15. LingSo you picked up the language from customers.
16. IvanExactly. Yesterday he taught me "it's raining cats and dogs."
17. LingIvan, you've really come a long way. I'm jealous.
18. IvanThe café is hiring, if you want. Weekends only.
19. LingI might actually say yes. Is the old man there on Saturdays?