Perfect Phrases for ESL Everyday Situations
Perfect Phrases for ESL Everyday Situations
CHAPTER 
Language Training
An English-language learner has many options for increasing his or her fluency in the language. The first thing to realize is that the world is your classroom, with as many chances to absorb and practice new expressions as there are situations in your daily life. Be more ambitious in your language use than native speakers, who typically use only a fraction of their vocabulary in everyday speech! Also, recognize that your native tongue is a valuable commodity. Many English speakers envy your bilingualism and long to learn a foreign language. As mentioned in Chapter 3, propose a language exchange or barter with someone whose English you admire and who would like to learn your language. Make sure that the person speaks American English and not British English. Also, the more idioms the person uses, the better the casual conversation becomes. Half an hour for each language over coffee could help both of you make real progress and create a new friendship.
A more structured approach might be preferable, especially if you are in the early stage of learning English. ESL or ESOL classes are easy to find, but deciding which one is best for you may be more difficult. Universities, colleges, community colleges, high school adult evening programs, language schools, libraries, and language companies all offer programs in English. Churches or other religious institutions also provide space for classes, and there are always private tutors. Each of these options has advantages; select the one that is most convenient and affordable to you at this time. You may always decide that what works now is not the best option for later, but get started!
Whatever option you choose for beginning your language training, it is important to realize that the time you spend between lessons is probably more crucial than the time spent at the lesson, as valuable as the lesson is. To justify the time and money spent on the classes (even if they may be free), you must study, practice, and use the language you learn between the classes. You are, in essence, responsible for your own progress. Use every bit of the language you learn to increase your acquisition of more of the target language. My neighbor from Goa, India, speaks English beautifully. When I asked him how he learned English, he said, “Well, the plane trip here was 23 hours, and I spoke to the people in the seats next to me all that time.” He was, of course, exaggerating to make a point, but it is a point well taken. He took the risk to use limited language to gain more language.
Phrases You May Hear While Investigating Language-Learning Opportunities
There is a required___________(entrance test, placement exam, interview). We have a required textbook for this class. The___________(tuition, application fee, hourly rate, four-session rate, cost for a semester) is___________(on the flyer, in this application form, on our website, based on a sliding scale, discussed during our free pre-assessment session). There___________(is, is not) a prerequisite for the class. Once you decide to___________(join, enroll, sign up), there are no auditors. Please come in and sit in on one of the classes. Please come and___________(see our facility, take a tour). The class meets___________(once a week for two hours, three times a week for three hours, five days a week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). The semester starts in___________(February, May). We also offer a summer program. This is not a bilingual class; everything is done in the target language, English, but at your level so you will definitely be able to handle it. There are special classes in listening comprehension. There are___________(three levels, six levels). This is___________(spring, Christmas, summer) break, but let’s schedule an appointment for you to come in the week after the break. We are having an orientation___________(next week, in February, Friday). Can you join us to meet and observe?Phrases You May Say While Investigating Language-Learning Opportunities
What level of language ability is required for this class? Is this a Will this be___________(one-to-one private, a small group, a full class session)? My native first language is___________(your language). Are there any instructors who specialize in teaching English to speakers of that language? Does anyone here speak___________(your language)? I___________(am looking for, would like to take) an accent modification program. Do you think I can___________(lose, correct, reduce, modify) my accent? I have been told that I speak___________(very quickly, too fast, too softly). What do you think? I came to the United States___________(at 10 years old, at 19 years old, two years ago and I am 30). Since this will be___________(one-to-one, private), where will we meet? Can we meet at the library? Where is your office? Could you please e-mail me ___________(directions, the address)? Please mail the syllabus to me, since classes don’t start for a month. Do you take___________(checks, credit cards, debit cards, cash)?Phrases You May Say to Ensure Understanding
Please___________(spell that, repeat that, say that again). I’m sorry, I didn’t___________(understand, get, catch) that. Could you___________(say that more slowly, send it to me in an e-mail)? Is it difficult to___________(understand, hear) me over the telephone? You did say next month, didn’t you? Do you mean next Wednesday? Excuse me, I don’t really___________(follow you, understand you). Pardon me. Could you please tell me how this private tutoring arrangement is going to work?Idioms and Other Vocabulary
Absorb: take in
Acquisition: what you get
Ambitious: determined to get ahead
Approach: plan
Arrangement: what is planned
Barter: exchange, trade
Break: rest period from some activity
Catch: get, understand
Commodity: item
Crucial: very important
Envy: wish to have
Exchange: trade, barter
Facility: place, building
Follow you: understand you
Free pre-assessment session: no-charge time in which you make a judgment before formal testing
In essence: pointing out an important idea
Long to: strongly wish to
Options: choices
Orientation: outlining of a program
Propose: suggest
Recognize: realize that it is important
Sliding scale: payment system in which the amount to pay for services depends on certain conditions
Target language: language you are studying, language you want to learn
Tongue: language
Typically: usually
Use (n): what you do with something
Part 1 Notes Section
