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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 41 · Out and about · A1–A2
Getting a phone plan or a SIM card
Ask about SIM cards and phone plans, compare options and get connected.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
When do you need English for getting a phone plan or a SIM card? What words do you already know?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'd like to get a SIM card, please.
Start the conversation in a phone shop.
Key phrase 2 of 8
What's the difference between prepaid and a plan?
Prepaid: you pay before you use it. A plan: you get a bill every month.
Key phrase 3 of 8
How much data do I get?
Data = the internet on your phone, measured in GB.
Key phrase 4 of 8
Does it include international calls?
Ask about calling other countries.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Can I keep my number?
Ask to move your old number to the new company.
Key phrase 6 of 8
How do I recharge?
Recharge = add more credit or days to a prepaid SIM. Also called 'top up'.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Do I need ID?
In Australia, you need to show ID to activate a new SIM.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Is my phone unlocked?
An unlocked phone works with a SIM from any company.
Conversation
Jessica and Mohammed
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 10
Jessica
Hi there, how can I help?
Conversation · line 2 of 10
Jessica: Hi there, how can I help?
Mohammed
Hi. I'd like to get a SIM card, please. I've just moved here.
Conversation · line 3 of 10
Mohammed: Hi. I'd like to get a SIM card, please. I've just moved here.
Jessica
Welcome! Are you after prepaid or a monthly plan?
Conversation · line 4 of 10
Jessica: Welcome! Are you after prepaid or a monthly plan?
Mohammed
What's the difference?
Conversation · line 5 of 10
Mohammed: What's the difference?
Jessica
With prepaid, you pay before you use it, and there's no contract. With a plan, you get a bill every month.
Conversation · line 6 of 10
Jessica: With prepaid, you pay before you use it, and there's no contract. With a plan, you get a bill every month.
Mohammed
Prepaid sounds easier. Does it include international calls? My family is in Egypt.
Conversation · line 7 of 10
Mohammed: Prepaid sounds easier. Does it include international calls? My family is in Egypt.
Jessica
Some recharges include calls to certain countries. I'll show you which ones.
Conversation · line 8 of 10
Jessica: Some recharges include calls to certain countries. I'll show you which ones.
Mohammed
Great. Do I need ID?
Conversation · line 9 of 10
Mohammed: Great. Do I need ID?
Jessica
Yes, I'll need to see your passport to activate it. Is your phone unlocked?
Conversation · line 10 of 10
Jessica: Yes, I'll need to see your passport to activate it. Is your phone unlocked?
Mohammed
I think so. Can we put the SIM in and check?
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Jessica. Student B is Mohammed. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I'd like to get a SIM card, please.
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
What's the difference between prepaid and a plan?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Can I keep my number?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 3
'Prepaid' means…
- A you get a bill at the end of the month
- B you pay before you use it
- C it's free
✓ B: With prepaid, you pay first. With a plan, you get a bill later.
Quiz · question 2 of 3
What is 'data'?
- A The internet on your phone
- B Your phone number
- C The phone screen
✓ A: Data is what you use for the internet, apps and maps when you're not on Wi-Fi.
Quiz · question 3 of 3
An 'unlocked' phone…
- A has no password
- B is broken
- C can use a SIM from any company
✓ C: Some phones are locked to one company. An unlocked phone works with any SIM.
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: Out and about · A1–A2 · 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 do you need English for getting a phone plan or a SIM card? What words do you already know?" 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 Jessica and student B is Mohammed. 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: Jessica is read by Josh and Mohammed 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: Getting a phone plan or a SIM card. 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 41: Getting a phone plan or a SIM card
Ask about SIM cards and phone plans, compare options and get connected.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: data · difference · international · need · number · please · recharge · unlocked
- I'd like to get a SIM card, . (Start the conversation in a phone shop)
- What's the between prepaid and a plan? (Prepaid: you pay before you use it. A plan: you get a bill every month)
- How much do I get? (Data = the internet on your phone, measured in GB)
- Does it include calls? (Ask about calling other countries)
- Can I keep my ? (Ask to move your old number to the new company)
- How do I ? (Recharge = add more credit or days to a prepaid SIM. Also called 'top up')
- Do I ID? (In Australia, you need to show ID to activate a new SIM)
- Is my phone ? (An unlocked phone works with a SIM from any company)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Jessica: Hi there, how can I ?
- Mohammed: Hi. I'd like to get a SIM card, please. I've just here.
- Jessica: Welcome! Are you after or a monthly plan?
- Mohammed: What's difference?
- Jessica: With prepaid, you pay before you use it, and there's no . With a plan, you get a bill every month.
- Mohammed: Prepaid sounds easier. Does it international calls? My family is in Egypt.
- Jessica: Some include calls to certain countries. I'll show you which ones.
- Mohammed: Great. Do I need ID?
- Jessica: Yes, I'll need to see your to activate it. Is your phone unlocked?
- Mohammed: I so. Can we put the SIM in and check?
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
'Prepaid' means…
a) you get a bill at the end of the monthb) you pay before you use itc) it's free
What is 'data'?
a) The internet on your phoneb) Your phone numberc) The phone screen
An 'unlocked' phone…
a) has no passwordb) is brokenc) can use a SIM from any company
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I'd like to get a SIM card, please.
- What's the difference between prepaid and a plan?
- Can I keep my number?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/getting-a-phone-plan-or-sim-card/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 41: Getting a phone plan or a SIM card
A. Key phrases
- I'd like to get a SIM card, please.
- What's the difference between prepaid and a plan?
- How much data do I get?
- Does it include international calls?
- Can I keep my number?
- How do I recharge?
- Do I need ID?
- Is my phone unlocked?
B. Conversation gaps
- help
- moved
- prepaid
- the
- contract
- include
- recharges
- –
- passport
- think
C. Quiz
- b) you pay before you use it
- a) The internet on your phone
- c) can use a SIM from any company
englishcoaching.co/learn-english/everyday-english/getting-a-phone-plan-or-sim-card/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach getting a phone plan or a SIM card 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?
Out and about level, about CEFR A1–A2. It is lesson 41 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/getting-a-phone-plan-or-sim-card/. 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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