Classroom Expressions

Here is a list of some of the most common phrases and questions used in the classroom.

 

Learn and use them often!

Asking for something	Asking about words	Asking to repeat
Can I have a pen, please? Do you have a pen for me? May I have a pen, please?	What's "(the word)" in English? What does "(the word)" mean? How do you say "(the word in your language)" in English? How do you spell "(the word)"? How do you pronounce "(the word)"? Where's the stress in "(the word)"?	Could / Can you repeat that, please? Could / can you say that again, please? Pardon me?
Apologizing	Asking for help	Saying Hello and Goodbye
Excuse me, please. I'm sorry. Sorry about that. Sorry I'm late.	I don't understand. Can you help me, please? Is this right / wrong?	Good morning / afternoon / evening! Hello / Hi How are you? Goodbye Have a good weekend / day / evening / time!

Travelling Expressions

Here are a number of expressions used when saying goodbye to friends or family as they depart on trips, both short and long.


Have a good trip. 
Enjoy your vacation.
Have a good time in (destination)
Long Trips, Vacations, etc. British English

Have a good journey. 
Enjoy your holidays.
Have a good time in (destination)
Short Outings

Enjoy! (American English)
Have a good time at (destination place such as a restaurant)
Have a good time in (destination city)
When your friends or family return home it is common to use one of the following phrases:

How was your vacation? (holiday in British English)
Did you enjoy your time in (destination)
How was your journey / flight / trip?

Making Small Talk

Small Talk for English Learners

Small talk is used at parties, when meeting people, etc. to be kind and get along with others at the events. Hopefully, small talk leads to more interesting conversations. However, the ability to small talk and use appropriate phrases can help get the conversation flowing.

Reading / Speaking Comprehension Dialogues

http://esl.about.com/od/readingcomprehensionquiz/a/d_list.htm

More Important than Grammar

Most American native speakers won't care about your grammatically correct sentences. They would care more on how you say them or the words you actually use. Understanding their culture will help you more than you think.
http://esl.about.com/od/britishamerican/a/american_english.htm

Best Answers for a Job Interview

Nothing beats being prepared when one goes into battle and that goes the same for job interviews.  Anticipate all possibilities, the links below will have questions and sample answers that can guide you with your own true answers.

Top 10 Interview Questions

1. What is your greatest strength? - Best Answers
2. What is your greatest weakness? - Best Answers
3. How do you handle stress and pressure? - Best Answers
4. Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. - Best Answers
5. How do you evaluate success? - Best Answers
6. Why are you leaving or have left your job? - Best Answers
7. Why do you want this job? - Best Answers
8. Why should we hire you? - Best Answers
9. What are your goals for the future? - Best Answers
10. Tell me about yourself. - Best Answers

Sample Interview Questions and Answers

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/jobintquest.htm

Different Types of Interview Questions

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/tp/types-of-interview-questions.htm 

Difficult Job Interview Questions and Best Answers

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/toughquest.htm

Job Specific Interview Questions and Answers

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/job-specific-interview-questions.htm 

Job Interview Questions and Best Answers (Simplified)

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm 

Behavioral Based Job Interviews

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/behavorialinterviews/tp/behavioral-job-interviews.htm

A - Z List of the Most Common Job Interview Questions and Best Answers

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interview-questions-list.htm

Finding a Job for ESL Learners

There is nothing more stressfull then having to find a job. I can only imagine how it could be for an ESL Learner, to have his/her chances of getting hired depending on how they speak a language that isn't their own....GOSH!!! I came across these helpful steps...

Language Functions

When we talk to people, we always have reasons why. Whether we want to apologize, request, express a wish or simply just to disagree with somebody. Here are some guides I found from a helpful link....Enjoy!!!

Contrasting Ideas

There are a number of formulas used when contrasting ideas in English. Here are some of the most common:

Formula:      main statement, but contrasting statement

I'd really like to come to the film, but I have to study tonight.

Use a comma or semi colon (;) with 'but'. 'But' is the most common way to show contrasting ideas.

Formula:      main statement, in spite of contrasting statement OR 

                   in spite of contrasting statement, main statement

They continued on their journey, in spite of the pouring rain.

Use 'in spite of' plus a noun, noun phrase or gerund.

Formula:       main statement, despite contrasting statement OR

                    Despite contrasting statement, main statement

They continued on their journey, despite the pouring rain.

Use 'despite' plus a noun, noun phrase or gerund.

Formula:        main statement, although contrasting statement OR 

                     Although contrasting statement, main statement

We wanted to buy a sports car, although we knew that fast cars can be dangerous.

Use 'although' with a subject and a verb.

More English Functions
Disagreeing
Making Complaints
Asking for Information
Giving Advice
Guessing
Being Imprecise or Vague
Saying 'No' Nicely
Showing Preferences
Making Suggestions
Offering Help
Giving Warning
Demanding Explanations

Practice Speaking

     Sometimes students need help starting a conversation to practice speaking skills. This is especially true for beginning level English leaners. Here are a number of basic dialogues that give students a starting point for practicing speaking skills which they can then vary to continue.

Introductions
Telling the Time
Giving Personal Information
In a Shop
In an Airport
Asking for Directions
In a Motel / Hotel
In a Restaurant

http://esl.about.com/b/2012/05/30/practicing-speaking.htm