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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 4 · Starter · A1
Asking for help and saying you don't understand
Ask people to repeat, slow down or explain, so you never get lost in a conversation.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
When was the last time you didn't understand someone? What did you do?
Key phrase 1 of 8
Sorry, can you say that again?
Ask someone to repeat.
Key phrase 2 of 8
Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
Ask someone to slow down.
Key phrase 3 of 8
What does 'bond' mean?
Ask the meaning of a word.
Key phrase 4 of 8
How do you spell that?
Ask for the spelling of a name or word.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Can you write it down for me?
Very useful for addresses and numbers.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Sorry, I'm still learning English.
It's fine to say this; people are usually kind.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Do you mean…?
Check that you understood.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Could you help me, please?
A polite way to ask for help.
Conversation
Receptionist and Mei
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Receptionist
You'll need to fill out the form and bring proof of address.
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Receptionist: You'll need to fill out the form and bring proof of address.
Mei
Sorry, could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Mei: Sorry, could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
Receptionist
Of course. Fill out this form, and bring a letter with your address on it.
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Receptionist: Of course. Fill out this form, and bring a letter with your address on it.
Mei
Do you mean a bill?
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Mei: Do you mean a bill?
Receptionist
Yes, a bill or a bank statement is fine.
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Receptionist: Yes, a bill or a bank statement is fine.
Mei
Thanks. Can you write it down for me?
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Mei: Thanks. Can you write it down for me?
Receptionist
No worries, here you go.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Receptionist: No worries, here you go.
Mei
Thank you so much.
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Receptionist. Student B is Mei. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
Sorry, can you say that again?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
How do you spell that?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 4
You didn't hear what someone said. What do you say?
- A Sorry, can you say that again?
- B What do you do?
- C See you later!
✓ A: This is polite and natural.
Quiz · question 2 of 4
'Do you mean a bill?' is used to…
- A check you understood
- B say goodbye
- C say no
✓ A: 'Do you mean…?' checks your understanding.
Quiz · question 3 of 4
Which is the most polite?
- A Speak slowly.
- B Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
- C Slow!
✓ B: 'Could you… please?' is polite.
Quiz · question 4 of 4
What is 'proof of address'?
- A A map
- B A document showing where you live
- C Your phone number
✓ B: For example, a bill or a bank statement.
Culture talk
How does this work in your country? Tell your partner.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.co/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.co
· englishcoaching.co
Teacher notes
Level: Starter · A1 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "When was the last time you didn't understand someone? What did you do?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Receptionist and student B is Mei. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Receptionist is read by Josh and Mei by Mel. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Culture talk
End by asking learners how this works in their country. It's a natural way to practise the new phrases and to learn from each other.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Asking for help and saying you don't understand. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 4: Asking for help and saying you don't understand
Ask people to repeat, slow down or explain, so you never get lost in a conversation.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: again · bond · learning · mean · please · slowly · spell · write
- Sorry, can you say that ? (Ask someone to repeat)
- Could you speak a bit more , please? (Ask someone to slow down)
- What does '' mean? (Ask the meaning of a word)
- How do you that? (Ask for the spelling of a name or word)
- Can you it down for me? (Very useful for addresses and numbers)
- Sorry, I'm still English. (It's fine to say this; people are usually kind)
- Do you …? (Check that you understood)
- Could you help me, ? (A polite way to ask for help)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Receptionist: You'll need to fill out the form and bring proof of .
- Mei: Sorry, could you a bit more slowly, please?
- Receptionist: Of course. Fill out this form, and bring a letter with your on it.
- Mei: Do you mean a ?
- Receptionist: Yes, a bill or a bank is fine.
- Mei: Thanks. Can you write it for me?
- Receptionist: No , here you go.
- Mei: Thank you so .
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
You didn't hear what someone said. What do you say?
a) Sorry, can you say that again?b) What do you do?c) See you later!
'Do you mean a bill?' is used to…
a) check you understoodb) say goodbyec) say no
Which is the most polite?
a) Speak slowly.b) Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?c) Slow!
What is 'proof of address'?
a) A mapb) A document showing where you livec) Your phone number
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- Sorry, can you say that again?
- Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
- How do you spell that?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/asking-for-help-and-repeating/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 4: Asking for help and saying you don't understand
A. Key phrases
- Sorry, can you say that again?
- Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
- What does 'bond' mean?
- How do you spell that?
- Can you write it down for me?
- Sorry, I'm still learning English.
- Do you mean…?
- Could you help me, please?
B. Conversation gaps
- address
- speak
- address
- bill
- statement
- down
- worries
- much
C. Quiz
- a) Sorry, can you say that again?
- a) check you understood
- b) Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?
- b) A document showing where you live
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/asking-for-help-and-repeating/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach asking for help and saying you don't understand to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Starter level, about CEFR A1. It is lesson 4 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/asking-for-help-and-repeating/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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