Unless we are telling a story the number of phrases we teachers use in class is fairly limited. We can start with a small number of phrases and expand the vocabulary and number of phrases little by little.
Let’s read and learn some more basic phrases for beginners in English.
First say the instructions in English and then give the translations in the mother tongue during the first lessons. You can also show with your hands what the students are supposed to do; show the page, point at the screen, place your hand on your ear etc.
There is no point the teacher would be giving these instructions in the mother tongue all the time since these are simple but useful phrases in everyday life as well and the students will learn them quickly.
The teacher should maximise the use of the target language all the time in lessons.
The list below is not meant to be a coherent text but can be used at the beginning of the course with beginners of English. Let’s learn some more basic phrases during the lesson
Ask your students to repeat all of them. This is not meant to be a coherent text. Just a list of phrases. PRESS the BUTTON!
Basic phrases during the lesson
Everyone, can you hear me now? Yes, we can. / No, sorry I can’t. Ok, l’ll try to speak a bit louder. / OK, I’ll speak up. / Sorry, I didn’t hear that! / I’m sorry. Too much noise here. / What did you say? / Can you repeat what you said? I didn’t catch it. Can you see the photo on the screen? Yes, it’s fine. / No, it’s a bit unclear. Ok, any better now? How about now?
Look at exercise 4 on page 9, starting on line 3. Page 9, line 3. One sentence at a time. Who wants to start? It’s your turn, Jane and Peter, you’re next.
Thank you, Colin. You have been very active today. / Let’s give the others and someone else a chance now, shall we!
Any volunteers? Sally, I think you know the answer, right? Would you like to try? Awesome! / Great! Marvellous! / Wonderful! / Terrific!
Alison, could I borrow your book for a while, please. /Thanks. Look at page 29. Page 26, not 29. Sorry, my mistake. / My apologies. / Sorry about that. /That’s alright. It doesn’t matter. / No harm done. No problem.
Sir, can I work alone? Ms Hill, can I work on my own today? Sorry, I’m afraid no, not today.
Here is a handout for each of you. / Here is a copy with the task for you./ Could you pass the handout to the boys at the back, please! / And this one to the girls, please! /That’s very kind of you. /Here you are. / There you are. / One for you and this one is for you.
Thank you./ You’re welcome. / That’s all right. / No problem. / Be my guest.
TIPS for the teacher
- Having read the boxes the teacher says any of the phrases in the box in the mother tongue and the students respond everyone at the same time saying the same thing in English.
- Pair work: Student A reads one of the phrases abd student B says the idea in the mother tongue.
