Video Calling Grandchildren Abroad: English Vocabulary, Phrases and Dialogue

Key words and phrases

video calla phone or internet call where participants can see each otherThey scheduled a video call every Sunday morning.

time differencethe gap in local time between two locationsThe time difference meant it was morning for them and night for her.

bufferinga delay in video or audio caused by a slow internet connectionThe call kept buffering, so they missed a few words.

miss someone dearlyto feel a strong longing for someone who is far awayPriya said she missed her granddaughter dearly.

growing up so fastan expression noting how quickly a child is developing"She's growing up so fast," Rahul said, watching the screen.

show and tellan informal sharing of objects or drawings during a conversationThe grandchild did a little show and tell with her new toys.

freezewhen a video image stops moving due to a connection problemThe screen would freeze for a second every time she waved.

screen timethe amount of time spent using a phone, tablet, or computer screenHer parents were careful about her overall screen time.

long-distance relationshipa close relationship maintained despite being physically far apartStaying close despite the long-distance relationship took effort.

wave goodbyeto move a hand as a friendly gesture when partingShe waved goodbye at the end of every call.

catch upto share recent news and updates with someoneThey used the call mainly to catch up on her week at school.

settle on a timeto agree on a fixed schedule for somethingThey finally settled on a time that worked for both households.

internet connectionthe link that allows a device to access the internetTheir internet connection was patchy that evening.

bridge the distanceto reduce the emotional gap caused by physical separationThe weekly call helped bridge the distance between them.

Useful sentences

Ask What time works best for the video call this week?
Answer Let's settle on a time that works around the time difference.
Ask Is the call buffering again?
Answer Yes, our internet connection is a bit slow today.
Ask Do you miss her dearly during the week?
Answer Every single day, but the calls really help.
Ask Did she do any show and tell today?
Answer Yes, she showed us her new drawing and a school project.
Ask Did the screen freeze during the call again?
Answer Just once, when she was waving goodbye.
Ask Are her parents strict about her screen time?
Answer A little, but they always make time for our call.
Ask How do you feel about this long-distance relationship with her?
Answer Hard sometimes, but these calls really bridge the distance.
Ask What did you two catch up on today?
Answer Mostly her new school and how fast she's growing up.

Dialogue

PriyaIt's almost time for our call with her, is the laptop ready?

RahulYes, just checking the internet connection first.

GrandchildGrandpa! Grandma! Can you see me? It keeps buffering on my side.

RahulNow we can! You've grown so much since last time.

PriyaWe miss you dearly, sweetheart. Tell us about school.

GrandchildWait, let me show you my new drawing! It's a show and tell.

RahulBeautiful! You're growing up so fast, it's hard to believe.

GrandchildI have to go now, it's almost my bedtime here.

PriyaOf course, the time difference is always tricky. Sleep well!

GrandchildLove you, Grandpa and Grandma! *waves goodbye*

Common mistakes

Saying "call on video" instead of "video call."
Saying "difference of time" instead of "time difference."
Saying "buffer" as the noun form, better as "buffering" for the ongoing delay.
Saying "miss dearly her" instead of "miss her dearly" (adverb comes after the object here).
Saying "bridge distance" without "the," better as "bridge the distance."
Saying "settle a time" instead of "settle on a time."

Quick quiz

1. What does "buffering" mean?

2. What does "time difference" mean?

3. What does it mean to "bridge the distance"?

4. What is "show and tell"?

5. What does "settle on a time" mean?

6. What does "miss someone dearly" mean?

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