We Speak with me, Feifei...

... and me, Rob. Hey, Feifei, this is

all a bit weird, isn't it?

A bit weird? What do you mean?

Well, us not being in the same studio.

You not being able to make me

a cup of tea. Us

not going out for lunch. It's not...

.... it's not normal! It's certainly different,

Rob. But it's good to have

some time apart,

isn't it?

I don't know. It's not like it used to be.

Things have changed.

Well, Rob, this is the new normal. It's a

new English expression

that describes the

way people will live their lives during

and after this coronavirus outbreak.

Oh right. Does that mean I get

some new examples as well?

It does, and here they are...

After lockdown, things won't be the same

- we'll have to get used to a new normal.

Getting up at 6am and going for

a run every day is my

new normal - and it feels good.

The new normal means working from

home more and not going into the office.

This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English, and in this

programme we're learning

about the phrase 'new normal', which

describes the way people

will live their lives during

and after this coronavirus outbreak.

Rob, I'm sure we'll get used to

the new normal

- sometimes it's good to

change our routine.

Yes, but I like my routine - go to the office,

drink tea, eat biscuits, talk to you, go for

lunch.

Hmmm, maybe the 'new' normal will be

good for your health and your work.

Come on, Feifei, there must be something

about old normal that you miss?

Let me have a think... making you tea,

listening to your stories,

giving you my biscuits - no,

I think I'll get used to the

new normal - and so should you, Rob.

OK, Feifei. I'll give it a try. Now, I'd

better go and do some work.

Wow! That's not normal, that sounds

like a new Rob! Bye.

Bye.