C1 · Everyday Life · Moving & Family
After 12 years of living in China, we moved back to the USA
Teacher Mike shares why his family moved from Shanghai back to the United States, what they miss about China, and how they are navigating a period of change. Learn natural expressions for uncertain plans, settling into a new place, and keeping priorities in view. Content note: Mike also discusses the recent loss of his brother.
麦克老师分享一家人从上海搬回美国的原因、他们对中国的想念，以及如何适应生活变化。学习表达计划未定、安顿下来和重新安排优先事项的自然说法。内容提示：视频也谈到麦克老师的哥哥离世。
麥克老師分享一家人從上海搬回美國的原因、他們對中國的想念，以及如何適應生活變化。學習表達計畫未定、安頓下來和重新安排優先事項的自然說法。內容提示：影片也談到麥克老師的哥哥離世。
Read the full lesson summary
After 12 years of living in China, we moved back to the USA is a guided c1 · everyday life · moving & family lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.
What the lesson covers
The lesson moves through Explaining the channel update; Announcing the move; Talking about grief and family change; Reuniting after time apart; Describing uncertain future plans; Explaining what the family will miss; Describing a period of change; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.
Language to take away
- what's going on with — What is happening with a person, situation, or project. Informal and conversational; often used to introduce an update.Use it when: Give or request news about someone or something.Example: “What's going on with the schedule for next week?”
- in the background — Happening alongside the main events, even if it is not currently the focus. Neutral and conversational.Use it when: Mention other circumstances or tasks that are affecting a situation indirectly.Example: “We are planning the launch, but there is a lot happening in the background.”
- passed away — A gentle, indirect way to say that someone has died. Sensitive and respectful; common when discussing a death.Use it when: Refer to a death with care, especially in a personal conversation.When it may not fit: Do not use it casually or to minimize someone's grief; follow the bereaved person's preferred wording.Example: “Her grandfather passed away last winter, and the family is still grieving.”
A way to use this lesson
Notice how the phrase introduces a personal and channel update. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.
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Transcript
Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Explaining the channel update
How's it going, everyone? I'm Teacher Mike. I wanted to update you on me and the channel, and what the future might look like for both. I haven't been posting much content this year—about one video a month, which is pretty poor. I'm hoping that will change soon. I'm going to try to get back to weekly uploads.
Try it: Notice how the phrase introduces a personal and channel update.
Phrase cheat sheet
All phrases at a glance
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
Showing 19 of 19 phrases
what's going on with
Explaining the channel update · expression
What is happening with a person, situation, or project.
Tone and use: Informal and conversational; often used to introduce an update. Give or request news about someone or something.
Example“What's going on with the schedule for next week?”
in the background
Announcing the move · expression
Happening alongside the main events, even if it is not currently the focus.
Tone and use: Neutral and conversational. Mention other circumstances or tasks that are affecting a situation indirectly.
Example“We are planning the launch, but there is a lot happening in the background.”
passed away
Talking about grief and family change · expression
A gentle, indirect way to say that someone has died.
Tone and use: Sensitive and respectful; common when discussing a death. Refer to a death with care, especially in a personal conversation.
May not fit: Do not use it casually or to minimize someone's grief; follow the bereaved person's preferred wording.
Example“Her grandfather passed away last winter, and the family is still grieving.”
for the foreseeable future
Describing uncertain future plans · expression
For the period ahead that can reasonably be anticipated, while leaving room for later change.
Tone and use: Measured and careful; useful when a plan is not permanent. Describe a current expectation without making an absolute promise about the distant future.
Example“For the foreseeable future, I'll be working remotely.”
let it go
Explaining what the family will miss · expression
Stop holding on to or keeping something, physically or emotionally.
Tone and use: Conversational; can carry emotional weight depending on the object. Talk about selling, giving up, or emotionally releasing something.
Example“The house has been in the family for years, so it is hard to let it go.”
a season of transition
Describing a period of change · expression
A period of life marked by significant change and adjustment.
Tone and use: Reflective and somewhat formal; often used for major personal changes. Describe a stretch of time when routines, roles, or circumstances are changing.
Example“Starting university can be a season of transition for the whole family.”
a short list
Choosing where to live · expression
A small number of options selected from a larger set.
Tone and use: Neutral and common in planning decisions. Talk about a few remaining possibilities you are seriously considering.
Example“We've made a short list of neighborhoods to visit.”
get settled
Choosing where to live · expression
Become comfortable and establish a stable routine or home in a new place.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical. Talk about adjusting after moving, starting a job, or beginning a new stage.
Example“After we get settled in the new apartment, we'll invite everyone over.”
a second home
Looking back on life in Shanghai · expression
A place where someone feels comfortable and belongs, even though it is not their original or primary home.
Tone and use: Warm and personal. Describe a place that has become deeply familiar or meaningful.
Example“After years of working there, the old theater felt like a second home.”
for this season in our lives
Explaining a new priority · expression
During this particular stage of life, with its current circumstances and priorities.
Tone and use: Reflective and personal; often used when circumstances may change later. Explain why a choice makes sense now without implying it will always be the choice.
Example“For this season in our lives, staying close to family matters most.”
put in the back for now
Talking about plans for the channel · expression
Temporarily postpone or give something less attention than other priorities.
Tone and use: Informal; for now signals that the pause may not be permanent. Explain why a project is paused while other matters need attention.
Example“We put the renovation in the back for now and focused on the move.”
stay connected to
Taking on a new role · expression
Maintain a personal or emotional link with someone or something.
Tone and use: Warm and reflective. Explain how an activity, place, or tradition helps preserve a relationship or memory.
Example“Cooking her recipes helps me stay connected to my grandmother.”
taken priority
Taking on a new role · expression
Be more important than other things and receive attention first.
Tone and use: Neutral and common in work and personal planning. Explain why one responsibility is currently receiving more time or attention.
Example“Right now, my family's health has to take priority.”
end up moving to
Adjusting to life in the US · expression
Eventually choose or find yourself in a particular place, often after considering options.
Tone and use: Conversational; emphasizes an outcome rather than a fixed plan. Talk about a possible eventual choice when the final decision is not settled.
Example“We may end up moving to a smaller city next year.”
a new lease on life
Reflecting on a difficult year · expression
A renewed sense of purpose, energy, or appreciation for life.
Tone and use: Hopeful and emotionally significant. Describe a major event or change that makes someone feel newly motivated or grateful.
May not fit: Avoid using it lightly when someone is discussing serious illness, trauma, or grief unless they choose that framing.
Example“After recovering from the illness, she felt she had a new lease on life.”
count it as a blessing
Reflecting on a difficult year · expression
View something as a fortunate gift or source of gratitude.
Tone and use: Reflective and often spiritual or deeply personal. Express gratitude for something you do not want to take for granted.
Example“I count it as a blessing that we can spend time together.”
at the end of the day
Explaining why time matters · expression
When considering the most important point or final reality.
Tone and use: Conversational and emphatic; often introduces a conclusion. Summarize the key consideration after discussing details.
Example“At the end of the day, we need a plan that works for the whole team.”
life comes at you fast
Talking about plans changing · expression
Events and changes can happen suddenly, sometimes before you have time to prepare.
Tone and use: Reflective and emphatic; often used after an unexpected change. Acknowledge how quickly circumstances can shift.
Example“I thought I had another month to prepare, but life comes at you fast.”
hold your loved ones close
Talking about plans changing · expression
Stay emotionally close to the people you care about and value your time with them.
Tone and use: Affectionate and emotionally weighty. Encourage someone to cherish close relationships.
May not fit: This can sound intense; reserve it for sincere or serious moments.
Example“After the difficult year, she made a point to hold her loved ones close.”
Knowledge check
Practice the phrases you heard
What it means · “for the foreseeable future”