Talking About English Speaking

A. Talking about yourself

·       

             want to learn English.

·         I’m trying to learn English.

·         I’ve been learning it for three years.

·         I did some at school.

·         I need it for my work.

·         I’m going to stay with an American family.

·         We have to learn English.

·         It’s useful/important/necessary.

B. Talking about difficulties

·         

S    Speaking is easy/difficult.

·         The vocabulary is not simple/easy.

·         I (don’t) find it very difficult to understand.

·         There are too many prepositions.

C. Talking about learning

·         

      What is the best way to learn?

·         How can I improve my vocabulary?

·         How do you think I can learn it?

·         I think the best thing is to read and listen.

·         You should try and speak to English people.

·         You should practice.

·         Do you want to learn English?

·         Yes, I do-very much.

·         Why do you want to learn English?

·         Because it’ll be useful in the future.

·         Then you must speak it.

·         Why must I speak it?

·         Because you want to learn it.

·         Do you understand the sentence?

·         I don’t understand it completely.

·         Did you understand what I said?

·         No, I didn’t. Would you please say it again?

·         Of course. I’ll say it again slowly.

·         That will help a lot.

·         Please write down what I say.

·         All right, but would you please speak very slowly?

·         Yes. Do you want me to spell each word too?

D. Talking about needs

·        

      I want to be more fluent.

·         I want to work on my pronunciation.

·         I’d like to get my grammar better.

·         I want to improve my reading.

·         My (reading) is all right, but not my accent.

·         My basic vocabulary is weak.

E. Talking about types of English

·        

       Is this good/correct English?

·         That’s too formal/informal.

·         That sounds polite/rude.

·         Is that friendly/rude?

·         Can I use this to a customer?

F. Do you Speak English?

·         

       Do you speak English?

·         Only a little, and not very well.

·         Do you know many words?

·         No, I don’t. Only the important words.

·         Does your brother speak English?

·         Well, he speaks a little English.

·         Do your sisters speak English?

·         Yes, they do. They speak it very well.

·         Can I help you?

·         What’s the matter?

·         I don’t speak English.

·         Do you need some kind of help?

·         Yes, but I can’t explain it in English.

·         Do you think English is easy?

·         No, I don’t.

·         Why don’t you think so?

·         Because I don’t understand it.

·         English is the hardest language in the world.

·         Why do you say that?

·         I can’t understand it or speak it.

·         But this is only your first day in the English class!

·         How do you pronounce this word in English?

Office Conversation

A. Talking about Jobs

• I’m a trainee.
• I work for a large company.
• I do the sales ledger.
• I’m in the accounts section.
• I’ve been there for six years
• I don’t like my job.
• It’s a good job/interesting/well paid.
• What do you do?
• What’s your job?
• What do you do for a living?
• Who do you work for?
• Is it interesting/hard work/well paid?

B. Talking about work routines

• We start at 8:30 and finish at 4:30
• We normally work from 8 till 5
• We don’t work on Saturdays
• We have forty minutes for lunch
• I do a lot of travelling.
• I spend a lot of time on paper work.
• We are busy at the end of the month.
• We get four weeks holiday a year.
• Where do you work?

C. Talking about personnel

• My boss is the sales manager.
• I work under him.
• There are six of us in my department.
• The others are mostly women.
• It’s a (friendly) department/section.
• There are 600 people in all.
• The company has 600 employees.
• (He’s) out of work/unemployed.
• There are a thousand skilled workers here.
• She’s looking for a job.

D. Talking about Quitting and Finding Jobs

• How did you find your new job?
• I went to an employment agency
• Was it worth it to do it that way?
• Yes. They were able to get me something good right away.
• I think I’m going to change jobs.
• What do you want to do that for?
• There’s not enough chance to get ahead here.
• But don’t forget you’re getting a pretty good salary.
• Did it take you long to apply for a job?
• Too long in my opinion.
• What did you have to do?
• Speak to people, fill out forms, and wait.
• Is Mary going to quit  her job next month?
• No. She’s going to quit next April.
• Are her parents going to support her then?
• No. She isn’t going to ask them for any money.

E. Office Conversations

• Do you receive many enquiries about your product?
• Yes. There are a good number every day.
• You can’t answer all of them personally, can you?
• No. Unless they’re obviously important, we send back a formal letter.
• What did you spend all your time on today?
• Checking the annual report.
• Was everything in it all right?
• No. I discovered several errors.
• How is the mail handled?
• The executive secretary opens it and sorts it out.
• Is any record kept of incoming mail?
• Yes. Everything is entered in the mail register.
• I’d like to dictate a letter to the Reliance Company.
• Just a moment please, while I get my shorthand notepad.
• Would you also bring me the previous correspondence with them?
• I’ve already placed the file on your desk.

Talking About School

A. Talking about the system

• It’s a Vocational training school.
• It specializes in technical subjects.
• There are 700 pupils/students.
• It’s quite big/not very big.
• We follow trimester system.
• There are three terms a year.
• You can leave school at 16.
• You can start college at 17.
• We start at 8:30 and go on till 1:30
• We have Saturdays off.
• We work a half day on Wednesdays.
• We go to lessons/lectures.
• We (don’t) have to work very hard.
• We (don’t) do a lot of sport.
• We have a lot of homework.

B. Talking about exams

• He’s taking an exam in June
• We’re working for our exams.
• It’s a school leaving certificate.
• It’s for a diploma.
• The exams are hard/easy.
• Last year, I failed/passed.
• You need it to get a good job.

C. Talking about subjects

• We study physics.
• I find math’s easy/difficult…
• She’s not good at languages
• We’re not taught art.
• My favourite subject is/was history
• I like/liked chemistry.
• We started a new subject is/was history
• We haven’t the facilities for sport.
• She’s not a good teacher/lectures on art
• She’s not very strict.

D. About School: Dialogue

• Does Mary madam teach every day?
• No. Only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Is the teaching right now?
• No, she isn’t. She’s working in her office.
• Why doesn’t Jim practice anymore?
• He doesn’t have much free time.
• He used to have a lot of free time, didn’t he?
• Yes, he did, but now he’s going to school every night.
• What are you studying this semester?
• Science, English, and Math.
• Which do you like best?
• English really interests me the most.
• Not all students learn their lessons meticulously.
• Well, I do mine.
• But your brother often does his at the last moment.
• And my sister always does hers a day late.
• How come you aren’t at school today?
• There aren’t any classes this week.
• Well, how come there aren’t any classes?
• This is our spring vacation.

E. Going to School

• I’m worried about my school work.
• What’s the problem?
• I think I’m going to fail the examinations.
• Maybe you won’t if you have more confidence.
• What are you going to study at the University?
• Probably Physics and English.
• You’ll have to work hard.
• Yes. I’ve heard that it’s a difficult school.
• What did you apply for?
• I applied for a scholarship.
• What school did you apply to?
• I applied for a scholarship.
• What school did you apply to?
• I applied to Oxemberg College.
• I understand the boys’ applications were turned down.
• Who turned them down?
• I think the college admissions committee.
• I’d advise them to try again.

At the Railway Station

A. Finding where to catch the Train

• Is there a railway station near here?
• Is there a subway near here?
• Where’s the nearest underground/subway?
• Can you tell me where there’s an underground/a subway station near here?
• Are there any underground stations round here?
• Could you direct me to an underground station?

B. Getting the right train

• Do you know when the next train goes to town?
• How often do these trains run?
• When’s the next train to the airport?
• Which line/train goes to the park?
• Which train do I take to get to the college?
• What number train do I catch for the city?
• Is there a train that goes to the airport?
• Is this the right line for the station?
• Get a ticket from the machine.
• The city service goes from platform 2.
• You’ll have to change at the next station.
• The trains run every ten minutes.
• You need the C line.

C. At the station

• Is this the right line for the airport?
• Does this go to the city centre?
• The Central Park, please.
• I want to go to the city.
• How much is it?
• What/how much is the fare?
• Can I get a return ticket?
• Do I have to change?
• How many stations/stops is it?
• Which station should I get off, please?
• Is mine the last stop?

D. At the Station: Dialogue

• How soon does the train leave?
• It leaves in ten minutes.
• Do I have time to check my bags?
• I don’t think you do.
• How much is the fare to Mysore?
• A hundred fifty Rupees round trip.
• What time does the next train leave?
• The next one leaves at six thirty from track 6.
• At what time does the next train leave for the city?
• There’s one at four and another at four forty-five.
• What’s the fare?
• It’s eighty including tax.
• Did your cousin arrive on time?
• No. He was an hour late.
• Did you meet him at the station?
• I was right there on the platform when the train came.
• How do you get home every day?
• I take the commuter train to Nungambakkom.
• Isn’t it rather expensive going by train?
• No. I buy a Thirty-trip Season ticket each month.

E. Railway Reservation

• Excuse me, could you please tell me if I can get a ticket for Goa, from this counter.
• Sorry, you will have to go to counter No 3. This counter is only for group booking.
• Could you please, tell me whether a reservation for the 22^nd is available?
• The enquiry counter will tell you about this. It is at the entrance of the building.
• Thank you. Here is the enquiry counter. Let me find out whether there are any reservations available for the 22^nd.
• How can I help you?
• Please, may I know the status of reservation for the 12^th of this month?
• Please wait for a minute. I will just check. In which class would you like to travel?
• Three-tier AC...
• There are some berths available in two-tier sleeper but none in three tier AC.
• Thank you. Do I know have to go to Counter No. 3 to book my ticket?
• That’s right.
• Thank you very much.

Talking About Holidays/ Vacation / Picnic

A. Dialogue on vacation

• How much vacation time do you get?
• Only two weeks this year, but three weeks next year.
• We get four weeks a year after fiver years of service.
• I may take an extra week without pay this year.
• Where do you plan to go for your vacation?
• I’m going to Paris.
• When will you be back?
• Probably in three or four weeks.
• Are you going to take your vacation in June or July?
• I’m going to take it in July.
• Are you going to go to any other place?
• No. I’m going to go to Paris.

B. Holiday plans

• Are you taking/having a holiday/vacation (this year)?
• Are you going on holiday/vacation in August?
• We’ll/We won’t be having a holiday this year.
• We have four week’s holiday a year.
• I’m/ We’re talking a break in winter.
• We have eight days off a year.
• There are six public holidays a year.
• Tomorrow is a public holiday.
• Is there a public holiday today?
• What’s it for?

C. Describing places

• Where are you going this summer?
• Are you going away?
• I’m/We’re going away.
• We’re staying in a hotel/with friends.
• I’m going to Kenya.
• We’re going abroad/to a foreign country.

D. Past holidays

• Where did you go for your vacation?
• What’s it like? What was it like?
• What was the food/ weather/hotel like?
• I/We went to Switzerland.
• I/We had/didn’t have a good time.
• It was fun/a break/an experience.
• The weather was good/bad/hot/too hot.
• I enjoyed /disliked the food/scenery/weather.

E. Stating your needs for an excursion

• We want to go to (Greenwich).
• I’d like to book a trip to Rye.
• We want to see Sark.
• We want to go on Thursday.
• I’d like to book for next Saturday.
• Is there an excursion (in the next few days)?
• When is your next excursion to the beach?
• We want to go out somewhere on Friday.
• Are there any good excursions we could take?
• There’ll be four of us
• It’s for a party of six.
• We are twelve adults and eight children.
• I need space for eight people.

F. Asking about details for an excursion

• Can you recommend it?
• What’s the journey like?
• Is it interesting/worth seeing?
• It is a long journey/a nice journey?
• Is it suitable for a family with children?
• How much does it cost?
• Does that price include everything?
• How much would it be to hire a taxi?
• What are your group rates?
• Do you do a reduced price for a party of 12?
• Do you have special rates for large groups?
• Where do we meet?
• Where do we catch the coach?
• When/What time should we be there?
• How long will the journey take?
• When/What time should we be there?
• How long will the journey take?
• When/What time will we get back?

At a Restaurant

A. Ordering a Meal: Dialogue

• Hi. How are you doing this afternoon?
• Fine, thank you. Can I have the menu, please?
• Certainly, here you are.
• Thank you. What’s today’s special?
• Grilled tuna and cheese on rye.
• That sounds good. I’ll have that.
• Would you like something to drink?
• Yes, I’d like a coke.
• Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal!
• That’ll be $6.75
• Here you are. Keep the change!
• Thank you! Have a nice day!
• Bye.

B. At a restaurant: Dialogue

• Could we have a table for four?
• There’s a nice table right there by the window.
• May we also have the menu right away?
• I’ll get the menu immediately.
• Would you care for some roast beef?
• No. I’ll have sirloin steak.
• How do you like your steak?
• I’d prefer it medium rare.
• Would you like to have soup?
• Yes. Creamed onion, please.
• Mashed, boiled, or French-fried potatoes?
• I’ll have the French-fried.
• What vegetables would you like with your dinner?
• Carrots, please, and corn with cream sauce.
• What kind of dressing do you want on your salad-French?
• I believe I’ll take Russian dressing tonight.
• Would you like to order a dessert?
• What kinds of pie do you have?
• Peach, lemon, cream and apple.
• I’d like lemon cream, please.

C. When going into a restaurant, use:

·         We’d like to eat.

·         Could I have a table for (five)?

·         Could I have the menu, please?

·         I’d like to see the menu.

D. Ordering

• Can you recommend the (fish)?
• What do you recommend?
• What is this?
• How is this made?
• Is this fish?
• I’ll have the soup.
• I won’t have a starter/an hors d’oeuvre.
• I’ll just have a main course.
• I’ll have the (steak) but no (chips) please.
• I don’t want any dessert/anything else.
• (My friend) will have a (beer).

E. Paying

• The bill, please.
• Could I have the bill?
• The check, please
• I’d like the check
• Is service included?
• Does this include service and tax?
• What’s this charge for?
• Are you sure this is right?
• There’s a mistake in the bill.
• You’ve charged me for (two bottles of wine).
• Do you accept (credit card)?

You want to reserve a table for five at a restaurant called the Slanted Door. Call the restaurant and make a reservation for 8:00 this Saturday

You work at a restaurant called the Slanted Door. Answer the phone. (The restaurant is completely booked for Friday and Saturday nights this week.)