EXPRESS SPEAKING COURSE PRE-INTERMEDIATE A2
Lesson 1:
Getting to know you
COMMON MISTAKES
MISTAKE: Using present continuous instead of present simple for factual information
CORRECTION: “I work at …” or “I live in …”
__________
MISTAKE: Mentioning what you studied when talking about your work.
EXPLANATION: We don’t mention what we studied when introducing our current working situation.
When we talk about our “profession” it refers to our current job.
__________
MISTAKE: Saying you are “from” a place where you weren’t born.
EXPLANATION: When someone asks where you are from, it means where were you born or grew up,
not where your surname is from.
__________
MISTAKE: “I have a family.”
EXPLANATION: Of course, you have a family because you have parents, siblings, cousins, etc.
CORRECTION: “I have a wife/husband and kid(s).” or “I am not married and do not have children.”
Lesson 1: Getting to know you | Page 1
EXPRESS SPEAKING COURSE PRE-INTERMEDIATE A2
ACTIVITY | Introduce yourself
Fill in the blanks with your information and introduce yourself to the class.
USEFUL PHRASES | Greetings
As a class brainstorm as many ways as possible to say “hello”, “how are you”, and “goodbye”. You
will want to write these down because you will use them later.
HELLO HOW ARE YOU? GOODBYE
Lesson 1: Getting to know you | Page 2
EXPRESS SPEAKING COURSE PRE-INTERMEDIATE A2
COMMON MISTAKES SLANG
MISTAKE: Answering “How are you?” with just “Thanks” or “Thanks, fine.” In spoken English,
people often
EXPLANATION: You need to actually answer how you are and put
change “you” to
thanks at the end of your answer.
“ya”:
CORRECTION: I am fine, thanks.
__________ CATCH YA LATER
MISTAKE: Ending a conversation with “Good luck.” TALK TO YA SOON
CORRECTION: “Goodbye” or “Bye.” SEE YA
LANGUAGE FOCUS | Contractions
In spoken English, it is more natural to use the contracted form of words. A contraction is when two
words are made into one. Practice the pronunciation of each of the below contractions.
I AM = I’M SHE IS = SHE’S WE ARE = WE’RE IT IS = IT’S
HE IS = HE’S YOU ARE = YOU’RE THEY ARE = THEY’RE
MINI DIALOGUES | Introducing two people
Fill in the blanks to make them true for you or with words from the brainstorming activity above.
A: Hello. A: ________, Jack. ________?
B: ________ B: Fine, thanks. How are you?
A: My name is ________. What’s your name? A: I’m good, thank you.
B: My name is ________. Nice to meet you. __________
A: Nice to meet you too. A: Hey, Lucas. What’s up?
B: Where are you from? B: Not much. ________?
__________
A: I’m from ________. How about you?
B: I’m from ________. A: Goodbye, Charlotte. ________!
B: ________, Jonathan. Have a nice evening.
A: Thanks, you too!
Lesson 1: Getting to know you | Page 3
EXPRESS SPEAKING COURSE PRE-INTERMEDIATE A2
ACTIVITY | Affirmations
Affirmations are positive phrases to repeat to yourself to help encourage positive thinking. They
can change your mood, relieve stress, and boost your confidence. Choose two of the affirmations
below that you would like to repeat every day while you do the course.
●● I learn a little bit every day.
●● I am doing my best.
●● I know more today than I knew yesterday.
●● I am ready to learn something new today.
●● I can ask for help.
●● I can help others who need me.
●● I can achieve my goals.
●● I can do difficult things.
●● I can learn from my mistakes.
●● I can use more than one language to communicate.
●● I accept all of my emotions.
●● I am ready for a new challenge.
●● I take care of my body and mind.
●● I focus on things that matter to me.
●● I feel wonderful.
Lesson 1: Getting to know you | Page 4
EXPRESS SPEAKING COURSE PRE-INTERMEDIATE A2
After class activities
SONG | https://youtu.be/Vlx6gQWfjp0
GETTING TO KNOW YOU FROM “THE KING AND I”
COMMON PHRASES | Hellos and goodbyes
HI. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
HELLO ... , HOW ARE YOU? GOODBYE. BYE-BYE.
HEY! WHAT’S UP? GOOD NIGHT.
HOW IS IT GOING? IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU.
HOW ARE YOU DOING? IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU.
HOW’S LIFE?
WHAT’S NEW? HAVE A NICE DAY.
HAVE A NICE EVENING.
GOOD MORNING / AFTERNOON / EVENING.
MORNING!
NICE TO MEET YOU.
IT’S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.
Lesson 1: Getting to know you | Page 5
