Spoken English Starter
Ten everyday topics, one at a time. Learn a few phrases, hear them in a short conversation, then take a part and say it yourself.
How to use this page
Read the phrases
Say each one aloud twice.
Play the conversation
Listen for the phrases you have just read.
Take a part
Press a name, and speak that person's lines.
Use it today
Try one phrase in real life before tomorrow.
1. Greetings and introducing yourself
The first few words of a conversation matter most. Keep them short, smile, and use the other person's name if you know it.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Good morning. How are you? | A polite greeting, with anyone |
| Hi! How's it going? | An informal greeting, with friends |
| I'm fine, thank you. And you? | Answering, and asking back |
| Hello, I'm Ruwan. Nice to meet you. | Introducing yourself |
| Nice to meet you too. | Replying to an introduction |
| See you later. / Take care. | Saying goodbye |
A new neighbour
Ruwan has just moved into a new house and meets his neighbour.
- RuwanGood morning! I'm Ruwan. I've just moved in next door.
- Mrs PereraOh, hello, Ruwan. I'm Mrs Perera. Nice to meet you.
- RuwanNice to meet you too.
- Mrs PereraWelcome to the street. If you need anything, just ask.
- RuwanThank you, that's very kind of you.
2. Talking about your family
Family is one of the first things people ask about. Use have, is and live to describe who is in your family.
| Say this | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I have one brother and two sisters. | The people in your family |
| I'm the eldest. / I'm the youngest. | Your place in the family |
| My father is a farmer, and my mother is a nurse. | Their jobs |
| We live with my grandmother. | Who lives in your home |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | Asking someone else |
At a friend's house
Two classmates are talking while they wait for lunch.
- SachiniDo you have any brothers or sisters, Amal?
- AmalYes, I have one older brother. He works in Colombo. What about you?
- SachiniI have two younger sisters, so I'm the eldest.
- AmalThat must be busy! Do you all live together?
- SachiniYes, and my grandmother lives with us too.
3. Your daily routine
Use the present simple for things you do every day, with words such as usually, always and on Sundays.
| Say this | Tip |
|---|---|
| I usually get up at six o'clock. | Usually goes before the verb |
| I go to work by bus. | By bus, by train, but on foot |
| I have lunch at one. | We have meals |
| After dinner, I watch the news. | After + a time or an activity |
| On Sundays, I relax at home. | On + a day |
A busy day
Two colleagues are talking during a tea break.
- DineshYou always look so fresh in the morning. What time do you get up?
- HarshaAt half past five. I go for a short walk before work.
- DineshHalf past five! I usually get up at seven.
- HarshaBut you go to bed late, don't you?
- DineshYes. I usually watch television until midnight.
4. Shopping
In a shop, a few polite questions will get you everything you need.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | Asking the price |
| Do you have this in a bigger size? | Asking for a different size |
| Can I try it on? | Clothes and shoes |
| I'm just looking, thank you. | When you don't need help yet |
| Can I pay by card? | Paying |
Buying a shirt
Nuwan is in a clothes shop.
- Shop assistantGood afternoon. Can I help you?
- NuwanYes, please. How much is this blue shirt?
- Shop assistantIt's two thousand five hundred rupees.
- NuwanDo you have it in a bigger size?
- Shop assistantYes, here's a large. The changing room is over there.
- NuwanThank you. Can I pay by card?
- Shop assistantOf course.
5. Ordering food
I'd like... is the most useful phrase in any restaurant. It is polite, and it works for everything on the menu.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Could we see the menu, please? | When you sit down |
| I'd like rice and curry, please. | Ordering |
| Is it very spicy? | Asking about a dish |
| Could I have a glass of water, please? | Asking for something extra |
| Could we have the bill, please? | When you have finished |
Lunch at a restaurant
Thilini orders lunch.
- WaiterAre you ready to order?
- ThiliniYes. Is the chicken curry very spicy?
- WaiterA little. The vegetable curry is milder.
- ThiliniThen I'd like rice with vegetable curry, please.
- WaiterAnd to drink?
- ThiliniCould I have a lime juice, please?
6. Asking for directions
Start with Excuse me, and do not be afraid to ask the person to repeat. Repeating the directions back is the best way to be sure.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Excuse me, where is the bus stand? | Asking the way |
| Is it far from here? | Asking the distance |
| Go straight on, then turn left. | Giving directions |
| It's next to the bank. / It's opposite the school. | Saying where something is |
| Sorry, could you say that again? | When you did not understand |
Finding the post office
Kumari is visiting a new town.
- KumariExcuse me, is there a post office near here?
- Passer-byYes. Go straight on and take the second road on the right. It's opposite the school.
- KumariSorry, could you say that again?
- Passer-byStraight on, second on the right. It's opposite the school.
- KumariSecond on the right. Thank you very much!
7. On the telephone
On the phone, nobody can see you, so say who you are and speak a little more slowly than usual.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Hello, this is Nimal speaking. | Saying who you are |
| May I speak to Ms Fernando, please? | Asking for someone |
| Could you hold on a moment, please? | Asking the caller to wait |
| She isn't here. Can I take a message? | When the person is not there |
| Could you speak a little louder, please? | When you cannot hear well |
Calling an office
Nimal telephones a company.
- ReceptionistGood morning, Lanka Traders. How can I help you?
- NimalHello, this is Nimal Silva speaking. May I speak to Ms Fernando, please?
- ReceptionistI'm sorry, she's in a meeting. Can I take a message?
- NimalYes, please. Could you ask her to call me back this afternoon?
- ReceptionistOf course. Could I have your number, please?
- NimalIt's zero seven seven, one two three, four five six seven.
8. Asking politely
Could you...? and Would you mind...? turn an order into a request. In English, politeness is often in the question, not just in please.
| Say this | Not this |
|---|---|
| Could you help me, please? | Help me. |
| Would you mind closing the window? | Close the window. |
| Can I borrow your pen? | Give me your pen. |
| Of course. / Sure, here you are. | Saying yes |
| Sorry, I'm using it right now. | Saying no politely |
In the classroom
Two students are sitting together in a lesson.
- PradeepAnusha, can I borrow your ruler, please?
- AnushaSure, here you are.
- PradeepThanks. And would you mind explaining question three? I don't understand it.
- AnushaNot at all. Look, you need to find the area first.
- PradeepOh, I see now. Thank you!
9. Thanking and apologising
Thank you and sorry are small words that make a big difference. Learn the replies too, so the conversation can move on.
| Say this | Reply |
|---|---|
| Thank you very much. | You're welcome. / No problem. |
| Thanks for your help. | It was a pleasure. |
| I'm sorry I'm late. | That's all right. / Don't worry. |
| Sorry, my mistake. | No problem at all. |
| I'm really sorry about that. | It's OK, these things happen. |
A late arrival
Kasun arrives late to meet a friend.
- KasunI'm so sorry I'm late. The bus was very slow.
- DilaniThat's all right. I only got here ten minutes ago.
- KasunThanks for waiting. Let me buy you a cup of tea.
- DilaniOh, thank you! That's kind of you.
- KasunIt's the least I can do.
10. Small talk: the weather and weekend plans
Small talk is friendly conversation about easy topics. It fills a silence, and it often starts a real conversation.
| Say this | When |
|---|---|
| Lovely day, isn't it? | Starting a conversation |
| It's really hot today. | Talking about the weather |
| Any plans for the weekend? | Asking about plans |
| I'm going to visit my cousins. | Talking about your plans |
| Have a nice weekend! / You too. | Ending the conversation |
Friday afternoon
Two colleagues are leaving work.
- RoshanIt's really hot today, isn't it?
- PriyaYes, I think it's going to rain later.
- RoshanAny plans for the weekend?
- PriyaI'm going to visit my cousins in Kandy. What about you?
- RoshanNothing special. I'm just going to relax at home.
- PriyaSounds good. Have a nice weekend!
- RoshanYou too!
Keep practising
Conversation Partner
Order at a café, buy a ticket or ask for directions, and the website answers what you say.
Speaking Practice
Say what you would say in everyday situations, and get feedback.
Spoken English
Why spoken English sounds different from written English.