Basic English: 30 Lessons 2026

Unit 1: Sounds and letters

English has 26 letters. Five letters are vowels: A, E, I, O and U. The other letters are consonants. Each letter has a name. Learn the names, because people in Canada often ask you to spell your name.

Letters with the same sound

Many letter names have the same vowel sound. Learn them in groups.

Spelling your name

Say each letter clearly. When two letters are the same and together, say double: Anna is A, double N, A. A capital letter is a big letter (M). A small letter is m. Names start with a capital letter.

• What is your name?A question to ask for a person's name.
• How do you spell that?Ask this when you do not know how to write a word.
• Can you spell your last name, please?Your last name is your family name.
• My first name is Maria. M, A, R, I, A.Say your name, then say each letter.
• Double LTwo L letters together, like in Bell.
• Can you say that again, please?Ask this when you did not hear or understand.
• Sorry, I don't understand.Say this when something is not clear.

Key sounds

Some English sounds are hard for learners. For th, put your tongue between your teeth. For v, your top teeth touch your bottom lip. Listen and repeat.

• Thank you.Th: put your tongue between your teeth.
• ThreeThe number 3. It starts with th, not t.
• Very goodV: your top teeth touch your bottom lip.

Unit 2: Hello and goodbye

In English, there is only one word for you. It is the same for a friend, a child, a boss or a doctor. To be polite, we change other words, not "you".

Greetings and times of the day

• Good morning: before 12 noon.
• Good afternoon: from 12 noon to about 6 p.m.
• Good evening: after about 6 p.m.
• Good night is not a greeting. Say it when you leave at night or go to bed.

• Hello. How are you?A polite greeting and question.
• Fine, thanks. And you?A short, friendly answer to "How are you?"
• Hi, I'm Daniel.An informal way to say your name. I'm = I am.
• Nice to meet you.Say this when you meet someone for the first time.
• Nice to meet you too.The answer to "Nice to meet you."
• This is my friend Sam.Use "This is" to introduce another person.

Saying goodbye

• Goodbye.Good for any situation.
• See you later.Informal. You will see the person again soon.
• See you tomorrow.You will see the person the next day.
• Have a nice day!Friendly and polite, for example in a store.
• Good night.Say this when you leave at night or go to bed.

Unit 3: About me

The verb to be is the most important verb in English. Use it to talk about your name, your country and your nationality.

Questions: put the verb first. You are from Canada → Are you from Canada? Short answers: Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. Do not say "Yes, I'm."

Countries, nationalities and languages

• Where are you from?A question about your country.
• I'm from Brazil.Use "from" with a country or city.
• I'm Brazilian.Your nationality. No "from" here.
• I live in Calgary.The city where you live now.
• I speak Spanish and a little English."A little" means not very much.
• Are you Canadian?A yes/no question with "to be".
• No, I'm not. I'm Mexican.A negative answer, then the correct information.

Unit 4: Numbers 0–100

Learn the numbers 0 to 20 first. After 20, the numbers follow a pattern.

Put a hyphen (-) between tens and ones: 21 = twenty-one, 99 = ninety-nine. Be careful with spelling: four, but forty (no u); five, but fifteen and fifty.

Phone numbers

Say phone numbers one number at a time. Many people say "oh" for 0. Make a short stop after the first three numbers and after the next three: 403-555-0172 = four oh three, five five five, oh one seven two.

Your age

In English, you are an age. Do not use "have". Say "I'm 32" or "I'm 32 years old."

• What's your phone number?What's = What is.
• It's 587-555-0143.Say: five eight seven, five five five, oh one four three.
• How old are you?A question about age. Ask it only in the right situation.
• I'm thirty-two years old.Use "I'm", not "I have".
• My son is thirteen.Thir-TEEN: the strong sound is at the end.
• Forty, fifty, sixtyCount by tens.

Unit 5: Days and dates

Days and months always start with a capital letter.

Saturday and Sunday are the weekend. Monday to Friday are weekdays.

Ordinal numbers for dates

For dates, we use ordinal numbers: 1st first, 2nd second, 3rd third, 4th fourth, 5th fifth, 12th twelfth, 20th twentieth, 21st twenty-first, 22nd twenty-second, 31st thirty-first. You can say "March 3rd" or "the third of March".

On and in

• on + a day or a date: on Monday, on May 5th
• in + a month or a year: in June, in 2026

• What day is it today?Ask for the day of the week.
• It's Wednesday.Answer with the day.
• What's the date today?Ask for the date.
• It's October twenty-second.Use an ordinal number: twenty-second, not twenty-two.
• My birthday is in June."In" with a month.
• See you on Friday!"On" with a day.
• Tomorrow is Saturday.Tomorrow = the next day. Yesterday = the day before today.
• What's your date of birth?The day you were born, with the year. For example: May 5, 1990.
• The office is closed on the weekend.On Saturday and Sunday it is closed.

Unit 6: Telling the time

To ask the time, say "What time is it?" or, to be polite, "Excuse me, do you have the time?" Answer with It's…

a.m. and p.m.

• a.m.: from midnight to 12 noon (morning)
• p.m.: from 12 noon to midnight (afternoon, evening, night)
• noon: 12:00 in the middle of the day
• midnight: 12:00 at night

At, from and to

Use at with a time: The bus leaves at 8:10. Use from… to… for opening hours: The bank is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• What time is it?Ask for the time.
• It's ten o'clock.Use o'clock only for full hours.
• It's a quarter to nine.8:45. Fifteen minutes before nine.
• It's half past four.4:30.
• What time does the store open?Ask about opening hours.
• It opens at nine and closes at six."At" with a time.
• We're open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.From the start time to the end time.

Unit 7: Family

Here are the most common family words.

Your aunt is your mother's or father's sister. Your uncle is your mother's or father's brother. Your cousin is your aunt's or uncle's child. Your parents' parents are your grandparents. Mom and dad are informal words for mother and father.

My, your, his, her

Use 's after a name: Ana's brother = the brother of Ana.

• This is my family.Introduce your family, for example with a photo.
• Do you have any brothers or sisters?A common question when you meet people.
• I have two sisters and one brother.Use "have" with family members.
• I don't have any children.The negative with "have".
• My wife's name is Leila.'s shows the name belongs to my wife.
• Their son is in grade five.Their = it belongs to them.
• I have one son and two daughters.Use a number before a plural noun.

Unit 8: Describing people

Adjectives describe people and things. In English, adjectives do not change. They are the same for a man, a woman, one person or many people: a tall man, a tall woman, two tall women.

Where do adjectives go?

• Before a noun: She is a kind teacher. (not "a teacher kind")
• After "to be": My teacher is kind.
• Use very to make it stronger: He is very tall.

How a person looks

What a person is like

These words describe a person's character: kind, friendly, funny (makes you laugh), quiet, shy, happy, nice. To ask about looks, say "What does he look like?" To ask about character, say "What is he like?"

• What does your sister look like?A question about how a person looks.
• She's tall and she has curly hair.Use "has" for hair.
• He has brown eyes.Use "has" for eyes.
• What is your teacher like?A question about character.
• She's very kind and funny."Very" makes the adjective stronger.
• My brothers are tall.The adjective does not change: no -s.

Unit 9: Home

People in Canada live in a house or an apartment. Many houses have a basement: a room or floor under the ground.

There is / There are

Use there is (there's) with one thing and there are with two or more.

• There is a big window in the kitchen.
• There are two bedrooms.
• There isn't a garage. / There aren't any chairs.

Questions: Is there a balcony? Yes, there is. / No, there isn't. Are there any closets? Yes, there are. / No, there aren't.

• I live in an apartment."An" before a vowel sound.
• There are three bedrooms."There are" with two or more.
• There's a small balcony.There's = there is.
• Is there a washer and dryer?A common question about a home.
• No, there isn't.A short negative answer.
• The couch is in the living room.Couch and sofa mean the same thing.

Unit 10: Food and drink

Here are some common food words. Most food words have a plural with -s: one apple, two apples.

Plurals

• Most words: + s (apple → apples, egg → eggs)
• Some words ending in o: + es (potato → potatoes, tomato → tomatoes)
• Consonant + y: y → ies (strawberry → strawberries, cherry → cherries)

A, an and some

You can count some foods: an apple, two eggs. Use a or an with one: a banana, an egg, an orange. Other foods you do not count: rice, milk, bread, water, cheese. Do not use a/an or -s with them. Use some: some rice, some milk.

In questions and negatives, use any: Is there any milk? We don't have any bread.

• I'm hungry.You want to eat.
• I'm thirsty.You want to drink.
• For breakfast, I have bread and an egg."An" before egg.
• Is there any milk?"Any" in a question.
• We need some rice and two tomatoes."Some" with rice, a number with tomatoes.
• Can I have a glass of water, please?A polite request.
• Two apples and a banana, please.A number with a plural, "a" with one.
• We don't have any bread."Any" in a negative sentence.

Unit 11: Shopping and prices

Canada uses dollars ($) and cents (¢). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Canadians have names for the coins.

Saying prices

$4.50 = four dollars and fifty cents, or just four fifty. $23.99 = twenty-three ninety-nine.

How much?

• One thing: How much is this shirt? It's $20.
• Two or more: How much are these shoes? They're $60.
• Far from you: that jacket (one), those boots (two or more).

Sizes

Clothes often come in S (small), M (medium), L (large) and XL (extra large).

• How much is this?Ask the price of one thing.
• How much are these?Ask the price of two or more things.
• Do you have this in a medium?Ask for a different size.
• Cash or card?The cashier asks how you want to pay.
• Card, please.You want to pay with a bank card or credit card.
• Do you need a bag?The cashier asks if you want a bag.
• Can I have a receipt, please?A receipt is the paper that shows what you paid.

Unit 12: At a café

In a café, be polite. Do not say "I want…" or "Give me…". These can sound rude. Use these forms:

• I'd like a coffee, please. (I'd like = I would like)
• Can I have a muffin, please?
• Could I have a glass of water, please? (very polite)

After can or could, use the base verb: Could I have… (not "Could I has…").

Questions the server asks

Paying

When you finish ordering, the server tells you the price: "That's $6.25." You can ask, "Can I pay by card?"

• I'd like a large coffee, please.A polite way to order.
• Can I have a muffin, please?Another polite way to order.
• Could I have a glass of water, please?Very polite.
• To go, please.You want to take it with you.
• No, that's all, thanks.You do not want anything more.
• Can I pay by card?Ask if you can use a card.

Unit 13: In town

Here are some places you can find in most Canadian towns.

Asking for directions

Start with Excuse me. Then ask: "Where is the bank?" or "Is there a pharmacy near here?"

Giving directions

• Go straight (do not turn).
• Turn left. / Turn right.
• Go straight for two blocks. (A block is the part of a street between two streets.)
• It's on the left. / on the right.
• It's on the corner of Main Street and 5th Avenue.

• Excuse me, where is the post office?A polite question.
• Is there a pharmacy near here?Near here = close to this place.
• Go straight for two blocks.Do not turn for two blocks.
• Turn left at the lights.The lights = the traffic lights.
• It's on the right.It is on your right side.
• Is it far?Ask if it takes a long time to get there.
• It's about five minutes on foot.On foot = walking.

Unit 14: Getting around

How do you get there?

Use by + the type of transport: by bus, by train, by car, by bike, by plane. But for walking, say on foot: I go to work on foot. (You can also say: I walk to work.)

Use on for big transport you can stand in: on the bus, on the train, on the plane. Use in for a car or a taxi: in the car, in a taxi.

Tickets

• one-way: you go there only
• round trip (also called return): you go there and come back
• a monthly pass: you can ride for one month
• adult, child, senior: the price can change with age

• One adult ticket, please.Buy a ticket for one adult.
• Does this bus go downtown?Downtown = the centre of the city.
• Where do I get off?Ask where to leave the bus or train.
• The next stop is City Hall.You hear this on buses and trains.
• I take the train to work."Take" + the bus / the train / a taxi.
• I go to school on foot.On foot = walking.

Where is it?

Unit 15: Weather and seasons

There are four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. In Canada, people say fall. In the United Kingdom, people say "autumn".

What's the weather like?

Always start with It's (it is). Say "It's raining", not "It raining" or "Is raining".

Hot and cold

From hot to cold: hot → warm → cool → cold → freezing (very, very cold).

Temperature

Canada uses degrees Celsius (°C). 25 °C = twenty-five degrees (warm). 0 °C = zero degrees: water turns to ice. −10 °C = minus ten degrees (cold). The high is the warmest temperature of the day. The low is the coldest.

• What's the weather like today?Ask about the weather.
• It's sunny and warm.A nice day.
• It's raining. Take an umbrella.An umbrella keeps you dry.
• It's snowing.Snow is falling now.
• It's minus twenty today.Very cold: −20 °C.
• I love summer.Talk about your favourite season.
• The leaves change colour in the fall.Colour is the Canadian spelling.

Unit 16: My day

In this unit, you learn to talk about your day. We use the present simple for things we do every day or often.

Daily routine

• I get up at seven o'clock.Say when you leave your bed in the morning.
• I take a shower.You wash your body in the shower.
• I have breakfast at home.Breakfast is the first meal of the day.
• I go to work by bus.Say how you travel to your job.
• I start work at nine.Say when your work begins.
• I finish work at five.Say when your work ends.
• I cook dinner.You make the evening meal.
• I go to bed at eleven.Say when you go to sleep.

Present simple: I work, she works

With I, you, we and they, use the verb with no ending. With he, she and it, add -s.

Not and questions

• I don't work on Sunday. She doesn't work on Sunday.
• Do you work on Saturday? Yes, I do. / No, I don't.
• Does he cook? Yes, he does. / No, he doesn't.

How often?

Put always, usually, often, sometimes and never before the main verb: I usually have breakfast at 7:30. She never drinks coffee. Put every day, every morning and on Mondays at the end: I walk to work every day.

Unit 17: Work and jobs

In this unit, you learn to talk about jobs and places of work. You also learn the verb have.

Jobs

• I'm a nurse.A nurse helps sick people in a hospital.
• She's a teacher.A teacher works in a school.
• He's a cook.A cook makes food in a restaurant.
• I'm a cashier.A cashier takes money in a store.
• She's an engineer.Use an before a vowel sound: a, e, i, o, u.
• He's an electrician.An electrician works with electricity and wires.
• What do you do?A question about your job. It means: What is your job?
• Where do you work?A question about your place of work.

Say a or an before a job: I'm a driver. She's an office worker. Use an before a vowel sound: an engineer, an electrician.

Places of work

The verb have

Use have with I, you, we and they. Use has with he, she and it.

• I have a job.
• She has two jobs.
• We have a meeting every Monday.
• He doesn't have a car. (not: He doesn't has a car.)
• Do you have a day off this week?

Unit 18: Free time

In this unit, you learn to talk about your free time. Free time is time when you don't work or study.

Hobbies

• I play soccer.Use play with sports and games.
• I play the guitar.Use play the with musical instruments.
• I go swimming.Use go with many activities that end in -ing.
• We go skating in winter.Skating is popular in Canada.
• I read books.A hobby you can do at home.
• I listen to music.Always say listen to.
• I watch movies.Movies are films.
• What do you do in your free time?A question about hobbies.

Likes and dislikes

After like, love and hate, use a noun (music, soccer) or a verb with -ing (swimming, reading). He likes reading. She doesn't like cooking. You can also say like to + verb: I like to swim.

Asking about likes

• Do you like hockey? Yes, I do. / Yes, I love it! / No, I don't.
• What kind of music do you like? I like jazz.
• Does she like hiking? Yes, she does.

Unit 19: Health

In this unit, you learn the parts of the body and how to talk to a doctor or a pharmacist.

The body

Use hurts for one thing and hurt for two or more: My leg hurts. My feet hurt.

At the doctor

• What's wrong?The doctor wants to know your problem.
• I have a headache.You have a pain in your head.
• I have a sore throat.Your throat hurts when you eat or talk.
• I have a fever.Your body is very hot.
• I have a pain in my back.Say: a pain in + my + body part.
• It started two days ago.Say when the problem began.
• I feel sick.You don't feel well.

At the pharmacy

A pharmacist works in a pharmacy and sells medicine. A prescription is a note from your doctor for medicine. Read the label on your medicine. It tells you how much to take and when.

• I have a prescription.Give the pharmacist the note from your doctor.
• Do I need a prescription?Ask if you can buy the medicine without a note.
• How often do I take it?Ask how many times a day.
• Take one pill twice a day.Twice means two times. So, two pills every day.

Unit 20: Clothes and colours

In this unit, you learn words for clothes and colours. You also learn where to put adjectives like red or big.

Clothes

• a T-shirtA light shirt for warm days.
• a sweaterA warm top for cold days.
• pantsClothes for your legs. Pants is always plural: My pants are new.
• jeansPants made of strong cotton, often blue.
• a winter coatA long, warm jacket for winter.
• bootsStrong, high shoes for snow or rain.
• glovesYou wear them on your hands.
• a toqueA warm winter hat. This is a Canadian word.
• a scarfYou wear it around your neck.

الألوان

red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black, white, grey. Ask: What colour is your coat? Answer: It's grey.

Where do adjectives go?

• Put the adjective before the noun: a red dress (not: a dress red).
• Adjectives don't change for plural: two red dresses (not: two reds dresses).
• After be, the adjective is alone: My dress is red.
• Put size before colour: a big black bag, a small white T-shirt.

Pants, jeans and shoes are plural: These jeans are too long. We also say a pair of: a pair of socks, a pair of boots.

In a clothing store

• Can I try this on?Ask to put on clothes before you buy them.
• The fitting room is over there.The small room where you try on clothes.
• Do you have this in a medium?Ask for another size: small, medium or large.
• It's too big.The size is not right for you.

Unit 21: Phone and appointments

In this unit, you learn to talk on the phone and make an appointment, for example with a doctor or a dentist.

On the phone

• Hello, this is Maria.Say your name on the phone. Use this is.
• Can I speak to Mr. Brown, please?Ask for a person.
• Just a moment, please.Please wait a short time.
• He's not here right now.The person is not there.
• Can I leave a message?Ask to give information for the person.
• Could you say that again, please?Ask the person to repeat.
• Could you speak more slowly, please?Ask the person to talk less fast.
• Can you spell that, please?Ask for the letters of a word or name.

Making an appointment

• I'd like to make an appointment.I'd like = I would like. It is polite.
• Is Tuesday at 10 OK?Suggest a day and a time.
• That works for me.Yes, that time is good for me.
• I need to cancel my appointment.You can't go, so you stop the appointment.
• Can I change my appointment?Ask for a new day or time.

On, at, in

Unit 22: Asking questions

In this unit, you learn question words and how to make questions in English.

Question words

Word order

Questions with be: put the verb before the person. You are from Peru → Are you from Peru? She is a nurse → Is she a nurse?

Questions with other verbs: use do or does. The order is question word + do/does + person + verb.

• Where do you live?
• Where does she work? (not: Where she works?)
• What time does the bus leave?
• Do you speak French? Yes, I do.

• Where are you from?Ask about someone's country.
• What time is it?Ask for the time now.
• How do you spell that?Ask for the letters of a word.
• Why do you study English?Ask for a reason.
• Because I need it for my job.Use because to give a reason.
• Which bus goes downtown?Use which when there are a few choices.

Unit 23: Yesterday

In this unit, you learn to talk about the past: yesterday, last week, two years ago. We use the past simple.

Regular verbs: add -ed

Irregular verbs

Many common verbs are irregular. Learn them one by one.

Was and were

Use was with I, he, she and it. Use were with you, we and they. I was tired. They were at home.

Not and questions

• Use didn't + verb: I didn't go. She didn't see him. (not: didn't went, didn't saw)
• Did you work yesterday? Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
• Where did you go last weekend?

• yesterdayThe day before today.
• last nightThe night before today.
• last weekThe week before this week.
• two days agoTwo days before today.
• What did you do on the weekend?A common question on Monday.
• I stayed home and relaxed.stay → stayed, relax → relaxed

Unit 24: Plans

In this unit, you learn to talk about plans for the future with be going to.

be going to + verb

• Not: I'm not going to work tomorrow. He isn't going to come.
• Questions: Are you going to take the test? Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
• What are you going to do this weekend?

Time words for the future

• tonightThis evening or night.
• tomorrowThe day after today.
• this weekendThe next Saturday and Sunday.
• next weekThe week after this week.
• next yearThe year after this year.
• in two weeksTwo weeks from now.

Talking about plans

• What are you going to do this weekend?A common question on Friday.
• I'm going to visit my parents.Talk about your plan.
• We're going to have a picnic.A plan with other people.
• Sorry, I can't. I'm going to work.Say no politely and give your plan.

For wishes, you can also say I want to or I'd like to: I want to learn to drive. I'd like to visit Vancouver.

Unit 25: Can you help me?

In this unit, you learn to ask for help, ask politely, and offer help.

Can and can't

Use can to say you are able to do something. Use can't (cannot) when you are not able.

• I can swim. She can speak three languages.
• He can't drive. (not: He don't can drive.)
• After can, use the verb with no to and no -s: She can cook (not: She cans cook, not: She can to cook).

Asking for help

• Can you help me, please?A simple request.
• Could you help me, please?Could is more polite than can.
• Could you open the door, please?Ask someone to do a small thing.
• Can I use your phone?Ask for permission.
• Excuse me, could you tell me where the bank is?Ask for directions politely.

Answers

• Sure. / Of course.Yes, I can help.
• No problem.It's OK. I'm happy to help.
• Here you are.Say this when you give something to someone.
• Sorry, I can't.Say no politely.

Offers

• Can I help you?Offer help. Store workers often say this.
• Let me help you.Offer to help right now.
• Would you like some help?A very polite offer.

Unit 26: Services

In this unit, you learn words for the bank and the post office. You also learn to fill in a form.

At the bank

• I'd like to open a bank account.Ask to start an account at a bank.
• I want to deposit this cheque.Put money into your account. Canadian spelling: cheque.
• I want to withdraw $100.Take money out of your account.
• Where is the ATM?A machine where you get cash.
• Do you have ID?ID is a card that shows who you are, like a driver's licence.
• Please enter your PIN.Your secret number for your bank card.

At the post office

• I want to mail this letter.Send a letter.
• I want to send this package to Ontario.A package (or parcel) is a box you send.
• How much is a stamp?Ask the price of a stamp.
• How long does it take?Ask how many days it needs to arrive.

Filling in a form

Unit 27: Renting a home

In this unit, you learn to read a rental ad, talk to a landlord, and meet your neighbours.

Words for renting

• landlordThe person who owns the home and rents it to you.
• tenantThe person who pays rent and lives in the home.
• rentThe money you pay every month to live in a home.
• leaseA written agreement between the landlord and the tenant.
• damage depositMoney you pay at the start. You can get it back if the home is OK when you leave.
• utilitiesElectricity, heat and water.
• includedPart of the price. You don't pay extra.

Reading an ad

Ads are short. 1-bedroom means one bedroom. $1,350/month means $1,350 a month. Heat incl. means heat is included. Available July 1 means you can move in on July 1.

Asking the landlord

• How much is the rent a month?Ask the price. Say a month or per month.
• Are utilities included?Ask if you pay for electricity, heat and water.
• Are pets allowed?Ask if you can have a cat or a dog.
• When can I move in?Ask the first day you can live there.

Bills

You may get bills for electricity, internet and your phone. The due date is the last day to pay. Pay before the due date.

Neighbours

• Hi, I'm your new neighbour.Say hello to people who live near you.
• Could you please turn the music down? I can't sleep.Ask politely for less noise.

Unit 28: Emergencies

In this unit, you learn what to say in an emergency. An emergency is a serious problem: someone is very sick or badly hurt, there is a fire, or there is a crime.

Call 911

In Canada, the emergency number is 911 (say: nine-one-one). The 911 call centre sends police, firefighters or paramedics. Paramedics work in an ambulance. Call 911 only for real emergencies.

The CRTC (a Government of Canada agency for phone, TV and radio rules) gives these tips:

• Tell the operator what the emergency is and where it is.
• Give your phone number. If the call stops, they can call you back.
• Stay on the line and do what the operator says. Hang up only when the operator tells you.
• If the call stops, call back.
• If you call 911 by mistake, don't hang up. Stay on the line and say there is no emergency.

What to say

• Help!Shout this when you need help now.
• Call 911!Ask someone to call the emergency number.
• There's a fire!A fire in a building, a car or a forest.
• Someone is hurt.A person is injured.
• I need an ambulance.For a person who is very sick or badly hurt.
• I need the police.For a crime or danger.
• My address is 25 Pine Street.Say where you are.
• Someone broke into my car.A person went into your car to steal. Broke is the past of break.

What the operator says

• 911, what is your emergency?The first question.
• Do you need police, fire or ambulance?The operator may ask this.
• Where are you?Give the address or a place near you.
• Stay on the line.Don't hang up the phone.

At the hospital

Go to the emergency department (people often say the ER). First, a nurse checks you at the triage desk. People with the most serious problems see a doctor first, so you may wait.

Unit 29: Small talk

Small talk is a short, friendly talk about easy topics. People make small talk at work, at school, with neighbours and in stores.

Good topics

• the weather: Nice day today, isn't it?
• the weekend: How was your weekend?
• work or school: How's work? How are your classes?
• food, sports and hobbies: Did you see the game last night?

Useful phrases

• How was your weekend?A common question on Monday.
• It was great, thanks. How about you?Answer, then ask the same question back.
• Cold today, isn't it?Talk about the weather.
• Have a nice weekend!Say this on Friday.
• Thanks, you too!Reply to Have a nice day or Have a nice weekend.
• See you on Monday.Say goodbye to a co-worker or a classmate.

Compliments

A compliment is a nice thing you say about a person. Answer with thank you.

• I like your jacket!A compliment about clothes.
• You did a great job.A compliment about work.
• Your English is really good.A compliment about language.
• Thank you! That's very kind of you.A polite answer to a compliment.

Keep the talk going

Ask a question back: How about you? Show interest: Really? That's interesting! Use the past for last weekend: It was fun. I went camping.

Unit 30: Review

This unit reviews Units 16 to 30 and the whole course. Read the table, do the practice, and then try the questions.

Key phrases

• Nice to meet you.Say this when you meet someone for the first time.
• Could you say that again, please?Say this when you don't understand.
• How much is it?Ask the price.
• Where is the bus stop?Ask for directions.
• I'd like to make an appointment.Say this on the phone with a clinic or an office.
• Thank you for your help.Say thanks when someone helps you.

What to learn next

• Practise every day for 10 to 15 minutes. Say the phrases out loud.
• Learn the present continuous: I'm working now.
• Learn more irregular past verbs.
• Learn to compare things: bigger, cheaper, the best.
• Listen to easy English videos or podcasts, and talk with neighbours and co-workers.
• Look for English classes in your community.