English Greeting Expressions There are many ways of greeting people, both formal and informal.

The speakers task is to choose the appropriate one for the situation. It is also useful to know lots of different ones so as to not repeat yourself when you meet a number of people at the same time. As with any other aspect, you need to be careful about using informal expressions with people who you do not know well or whose rank or status is higher than yours. General greetings (Formal) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Hello! How are you? How are you doing? How is everything? Hows everything going? How have you been keeping? I trust that everything is well.

General greetings (Informal) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hi. Whats up? Good to see you. How are things (with you)? Hows it going? Hows life been treating you?

Greeting a person you havent seen for a long time (Formal) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. It has been a long time. Its been too long. What have you been up to all these years? Its always a pleasure to see you. How long has it been? Im so happy to see you again.

Greeting a person you havent seen for a long time (Informal)

How come I never see you? Its been such a long time. Long time no see. Where have you been hiding? Its been ages since we last met.

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Agreeing/Disagreeing There is no clearly defined difference between formal and informal ways of agreeing or disagreeing but its good to be careful about using expressions that sound too informal in certain situations.Click on the audio jukebox to hear the expressions according to tracks.

Track 1- Simple agreement 1. I agree. 2. I really agree with you. 3. I think you are right. 4. I couldnt agree with you more. 5. You said it. 6. Cant say I dont agree. 7. Im with you on this. 8. I partly agree 9. I agree on this but not that. 10. Its partly true. Track 2 - Accepting/Declining/Expressing acceptance I accept your point. Please accept this on our behalf. Sorry, I cant accept this. Im 100% with you on this! Great idea. Ill take it. Sorry, I cant take it. Accept my apology. Track 3 - Simple disagreement or refusal I disagree with you. Everyone has their own opinion, right? I think youre wrong on this. Im sorry but I have to refuse your request. Youre wrong. No way! Youve got to be kidding! How can you even say that? Where is your logic? Track 4 - Strong disagreement I completely disagree with you. You are very wrong to say that. I totally disagree with you. I cant find myself to agree with you. Youre dead wrong. Youre way wrong.

Apologizing and Explaining oneself There are a few ways to apologize but a good thing to remember is that we usually add something to an apology: Part 1- Apologies

Im sorry Im very sorry Im terribly sorry Excuse me Pardon me I apologize Im afraid

Part 2 - Explaining Oneself , Accepting Responsibility

I wasnt very well yesterday I didnt see you It wont happen again Ill be more careful next time Ill finish it before I go home Its my fault Its all my fault

Excuse me! - Bothering people This one is a general collection of expressions to use when you must bother someone for ANY particular reason Such as asking people to be quiet conversation openers permission and requests thanking and replying getting somebodys attention Asking people to be quiet Less polite

Shut up! [impolite] Quiet! / kwaWt / Be quiet! Shh!

More polite
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Could you be quiet, please? Conversation openers

Excuse me, is anyone sitting here? Sorry, have you got the time, please? I think weve met before, havent we? Its really hot, isnt it? Are you going all the way to San Francisco?

Permission and requests

Could I use your pen? Do you mind if I borrow your dictionary? (Do you mind if I? means Is it a problem for you if I?)

Getting somebodys attention

Excuse me, have you got a moment? Sorry to bother you, but could I just ask you something? Excuse me, can you spare a minute or two?

Excuse me, are you in a hurry? Sure.Go ahead. It depends what it is. Sorry, Im late already.

Getting to know you! Polite topics when meeting for the first time There are certain topics that are polite to discuss when getting to know someone. Here are some of them: Talking about your background

Originally Im from. I was (born and) brought up in I come from a (sporty/musical) family. My proudest moment was-ing Ive always dreamt of ing/ wanted to +verb

Describing your language ability

Im fluent in Polish. I speak Spanish reasonably well. I can get by in Portuguese. I speak French but it is a bit rusty. I know a few words of Japanese. I wish I could speak Italian.

like, such as, and that sort of thing

I like music such as opera, choral music, and classical music. I really love modern music like house, rap, reggae, and hip hop.

After one or two examples, we can use an expression meaning et cetera.

Im fond of opera, and that sort of thing. I like jazz, rock, and that sort of thing.

Showing a lot of interest

o o o o

Wow! Really? (Thats) interesting! (Thats) fantastic

Expressing Goodbyes and Farewells in English There are many ways of saying good-bye, just as there are many of saying hello, and it is important to use an expression of the appropriate tone and register. In the end, its all up to your judgement but remember that using a very formal expression with someone who is your friend, as it may sound sarcastic. Simple good-byes (Formal)

Good-bye Stay in touch. It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you soon.

Simple good-byes (Informal)

Bye. See you. Talk to you later. Catch up with you later. Nice seeing you.

Leaving a place (Formal)

I have to leave here by noon. Is it okay if we leave your home at 9pm? What do you say we leave work a little earlier today? Would you mind if I leave the dinner before it ends? I need to depart for the airport in one hour.

Leaving a place (Informal)

I got to go now. Ill be leaving from the office in 20 minutes. How about we jet off to the shops now? Im afraid I have to head off now. Lets get off work early.

English Interrupting Expressions- How to interrupt someone When you want to stop someone interrupting, dont pause for too long, dont lower your voice, and (if you want) you can refuse to be interrupted. You can use the following phrases to interrupt politely: How to interrupt

Actually Excuse me Im sorry, but I just want to say May I interrupt here? Do you mind if I say something?

Paraphrasing Expressions Paraphrasing means repeating things in a different way. You use the technique to:

check that you have understood what someone means. emphasize a point, or make sure that your meaning is clear. This is useful when speaking to people whose first language is not English.

Introducing paraphrasing
o o o o o o

So you mean. What you mean is What youre saying is So what you mean to say is Let me get this clear Let me get this straight,

Requesting Permission Expressions There are many ways of requesting permission in English. However, knowing when to use the right request formula or structure is a bit tricky. This can be determined by asking yourself these questions:

Does the other person have higher status than you? (e.g. more authority or older)? Is the other person a stranger, an acquaintance, a colleague, a friend or a relative? (You dont need polite formulas with people you know well it sounds sarcastic.) Is your request going to cause the other person trouble or extra work? Is the other person in a good mood or a bad mood?

Could I use your phone? Might I possibly use your phone? Sorry to trouble you, but do you mind if I use your phone? Would you mind if I used your phone? May I use your phone? Can I use your phone? I wonder if I could use your phone.

Telephone Expressions There are certain expressions that are always used while talking on the telephone. Even though it is not impossible to use more general conversation terminology, it is still preferable to stick with the accepted phone language: it will sound more professional. Here are some basics: Phone greetings more informal Is that Bruno? Are you Bruno? Is that you, Bruno? Yes (it is). Its Elena. Im Elena. This is Elena. Here is Elena.

identifying the listener

saying who you are introducing yourself

Is that Bruno Zola? Could I speak to Bruno Zola, please? (Yes,) speaking. My names Elena Luma.

Asking people to speak slowly/speak up Sorry, could you speak slowly, please? Could you speak up, please? Yes, sure. Yes, of course.

Ending a phone conversation When you phone for information, you can often end with phrases like this:
o o o o o

OK, I think thats everything I need. OK, I think Ive got all the details Thanks. Youve been very helpful. Thanks very much for your help. Bye bye. Goodbye.

Thanks and Expressions of Gratitude Most languages have an automatic response to thanks. The British do not automatically respond to thanks, but Americans do. A response is not necessary in British English, but is becoming more frequent. In the past, Youre welcome sounded very American. Nowadays its common in Britain too. Another common response in Britain is No problem (at all). Remember that Please is not an acceptable response to thanks in either Britain or the USA. Thanking someone

Thanks. Thank you. Thanks a lot. Thank you very much. Thank you very much indeed. It was very kind of you. I appreciate your help. Youve been very helpful.

Thanking someone who tires to help

o o o o o

Thanks anyway. Thank you for (looking). Thanks for (trying). It doesnt matter. Thanks. Never mind. Thanks. Responding to thanks

o o o o o o o o

Youre welcome. (US) Not at all. (formal, UK) Dont mention it. (Its) my pleasure. It was nothing. Thats alright/OK. No problem. Any time.

Taking Turns in Conversations

Directing conversations Look at these expressions for directing conversation in a formal situation, like a business meeting. Put them into three groups: A including quiet people B stopping interruptions C keeping the conversation to the point

Whats your opinion, Sam? May I continue? Let me finish. Shall we continue? Lets go back to the point. You havent said anything yet, Sam. Do you want to add anything here? I havent finished my point. Please allow me to finish. Does anyone want to say anything before we move on?

Control strategies Conversation is a turn-taking process and it is more difficult when there are several people in a conversation. In different cultures there are different standards for interrupting and turntaking, however there are also a few universal points that apply to most situations. . 1. The speaker can choose the next speaker. You can stop someone dominating the conversation, and you can include quieter people. 2. You can stop someone interrupting by avoiding eye contact with them, and continuing eye contact with your partner in the conversation. Dont drop the volume of your speech (i.e. dont begin to speak more quietly). 3. If someone interrupts you, and you havent finished making your point, tell them clearly. You can use phrases like: Let me finish / May I finish? Excuse me, I havent finished. Just a moment / Hang on a second.
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When someone wont stop talking, and you are not interested in what they are saying, you can avoid eye contact, turn away or look at something else. Do not use conversation fillers.

Hesitation Strategies - Conversation Time Fillers

Often we want to give ourselves thinking time before we answer a question, especially if we dont understand it! Here are four techniques:

Techniques Pretend you havent heard

Examples Advantages Pardon? Simple only one Sorry? word to remember. Eh? Repeat the question You meanwhat is Lots of thinking forty-five divided by time. nine? Use delaying Well You can use them noises Um several times in the Er same sentence. Use it depends It depends. You will sound It depends on (the intelligent. (Stroke situation). your chin at the same time). Sorry? You want to know what I think about this? Wellumit depends, really.

Disadvantages Everyone does it.

Can you remember the question? If you use them too often you sound stupid. You can only use it when there is more than one possible answer.

Dont forget that you can use more than one technique.

Weekends - Asking about what people did?

People often like to ask each other how they spent their holidays or weekend. There are a number of ways to both ask and answer questions about it.

How was...? How was your weekend? It was lovely. How was yours? It was terrible. It was nice. A bit boring. Link words: then / after that

(great) (really bad) (fine) (not very interesting)

We had a drink. Then we went to the cinema. OR We had a drink, and then we went to the cinema. I went shopping. After that I met my sister. OR I went shopping, and after that, I met my sister.

Anyway, so anyway In spoken English, you use anyway or so anyway when you want to begin the next part of the story, or go back to then main story.

Janet didnt know about it. So anyway, we got in the helicopter, and We drank the champagne. Anyway, we landed and

Realize, remember, find out The past perfect is often used after the verbs realize, remember and find out.

Kids& Beginner Course Lessons - Lessons by courses

Course 1 Lessons Unit intro Alphabet & Phonics Resources. Aim: Teach letters of the alphabet Unit 1 Greetings - Hello Aim: Teach basic greetings Hello, Hi, Goodbye. Unit 2 Whats your name? Aim: To teach kids how to say their names. Unit 3 How old are you? Aim: Teach kids how to say their age and learn numbers 1 to 5. Unit 4 Numbers How many? Aim: Teach kids how to count from 1 to 10. Unit 5 A Colours What colour is it? Aim: Teach kids how to describe things through colours. Unit 5 B - Colours Vocabulary Aim: Teach colours vocabulary Unit 5 C - Green Monster Colours Lesson Aim: Teach colours through a colours songs Unit 6 Fruits I like apples. Aim: Teach kids names of fruits and how to express likes. Unit 7 Body I have a head. Aim: Teach kids parts of the body. Unit 8 Actions I can, I cant. Aim: Teach kids how to express ability using simple action verbs. Course 2 Lessons

Unit 1 Animals Farms Animals. Aim: Teach students how to express preference by using vocabulary related to farm animals. Unit 2 Family Members Aim: Teach words and expressions used when describing family. Unit 3 School bag Aim: To teach words and expressions related to classroom items. Unit 4 Actions Can and Cant Aim: Teach action verbs Unit 5 Shapes & Sizes Aim: Teach various shapes and adjectives to describe size. Unit 6 Demonstrative Pronouns This/That/These/Those Aim: Teach singular and plurals of nouns and demonstrative pronouns. Unit 7 Numbers 10 to 100 Aim: Teach numbers 10 to 100 and pronunciation differences between long and short vowels. Unit 8 Toys Where is it? Aim: Teach words and expressions related to toys and to ask where things are. Unit 9 Days of the week and weekly activities Aim: Teach days of the week and some things we do weekly. Unit 10 - Weather Whats the weather like? Aim: Teach students how to ask about the weather and describe it. Unit 11 - Food What do you want to eat Aim: Teach students about the things we eat and express want Course 3 Lessons Unit 1 Pets : Why do you like dogs? Aim: Teach names of pets and give a brief description of pets using personality adjectives.

Unit 2a Time What time is it? Aim: Teach students how to tell the time and also how to talk about daily routines. Unit 2b Time What time is it? Aim: Teach students how to tell the time using quarter to/past/ Half past etc. Unit 3 Months & birthdays When is your birthday? Aim: Teach students months of the year and how to tell dates using months and ordinal numbers. Unit 4 Jobs What people do. Aim: To teach kids how to describe jobs using action verbs. Unit 5 Actions What are you doing? Aim: Students will learn how to describe actions in progress using the present progressive. Unit 6 Transport How do you come to school? Aim: Teach students different means of transport and talk about going around. Unit 7 Clothes What are you wearing today? Aim: To learn to describe what someone is wearing. Unit 8 Where is it? At home Aim: Teach kids prepositions of place, alongside rooms and things at home. Unit 9a Vegetables How much are the carrots? Aim: Teach kids vegetable vocabulary and how to go shopping for veggies. Unit 9b Vegetables Extra Vegetable Vocabulary lesson - Cauliflower, broccoli etc. Aim: Teach students extra vegetable vocabulary. Unit 10 Weather and clothes - Put on your sunglasses. Aim: Teach kids how to talk about clothes relative to the weather. Unit 11 - Zoo What does a panda look like?