Beginner Dialogues (2) - Telling the Time

Beginner Dialogues (2) - Telling the Time

What time is it? - I
Excuse me. Can you tell me the time, please?
Yes, of course. It's seven o'clock.
Thank you.
No problem.
What time is it? - II
What time is it?
It's half past three.
Thanks.
You're welcome. Key Vocabulary
Excuse me.Can you tell me the time, please?What time is it?It's half past...It's quarter past...It's ten to...It's quarter to...o'clock

How to Tell Time in English

I usually get up at a quarter past seven - that's seven fifteen in the morning. I have breakfast at eight o'clock and then take the bus to work at half past eight. I usually arrive at work at a quarter to nine. Sometimes, the bus is late and I arrive at about nine. My morning is usually pretty busy and I like taking a coffee break at twenty to eleven if possible. I then work to lunchtime at noon. In the afternoon, I usually have another break at three fifteen. I usually finish work at a quarter to five and arrive home around six in the evening. At night, I usually go to bed at eleven o'clock.

In English we use "past" to say times after the hour until half past, or 30 minutes past the hour.We use "to" to say times before the hour from 31 minutes until the full hour.In English we use o'clock only at the full hour. Example: It's eight o'clockWe can also just say the numbers in groups of two. Example: It's seven twenty-fiveWhen speaking about the different times of the day we often use: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the eveningBe careful! In English we use at night NOT in the night

Beginner Dialogues ( 1 ) - Introducing Yourself

Introductions

Hello. My name's Peter. What's your name?
Janet.
Where are you from Janet?
I'm from Seattle. Where are you from?
I'm from Madrid.
Are you American?
Yes, I am. Are you Spanish?
Yes I am.
Key Vocabulary
My name is...What's (is) your name ...Where are you from?I'm from... Are you (Spanish, American, German, etc.)
Hello and Goodbye - Three Short Conversations
Hello
Hello, Peter. How are you?
Fine, thanks. How are you?
I'm fine, thank you.
Goodbye
Goodbye, Janet. See you tomorrow!
Bye bye, Peter. Have a nice evening.
Thanks, you too!
Thanks. Key Vocabulary
Hello... How are you?I'm fine, - OK, - well, thank youGoodbye, - bye byeSee you tomorrowHave a nice evening, - day

English Study Skills - For Beginners

Learning any language takes practice - lots of practice! Often, it's difficult to know what you should practice. Should you watch a video? Perhaps, it would be a good idea to do a few quizzes. Of course, you should try to speak English with your friends. All of these are great ideas, but it's also important to build a routine. A routine will help you make studying English a habit. That's the best way to improve your English!
Make Learning a Habit
It's important to be exposed to many different areas every day. However, you shouldn't try to study too many different subjects. These suggestions take a short listening and reading as the basis for daily practice. You are trying to learn many new things, so don't try to learn too much in any one area too quickly!
Listen - 10 Minutes
There are a number of beginning level listening selections that you can use on this site. Books written for children are also a great idea. Here are some suggestions for free children's books that you can listen to on your computer:
StorynoryAudio Books for Free
Read - 10 Minutes
Choose a subject you like to read about and read for fun. You can find beginning level reading here on the site. These sites also offer 'easy' English reading selections.
Simple English NewsEasy English Times
Improve your Vocabulary - 5 Minutes
Take five minutes to write down all the new words you find in your listening and reading exercises. Keep a notebook, and write in the translation in your native language.
Grammar - 5 - 10 Minutes
Think about what you are studying in English class (if you are taking it). Or, if you are studying by yourself, take out your grammar book and find one grammar point to review. You can also use the beginner grammar resources at this site. Take a quick look at the grammar and then think about the listening and your reading. Did you hear or read these forms? How were they used?
Speaking - 5 Minutes
It is very important to move your mouth and speak! Even if you only speak to yourself. Take five minutes and speak out loud (not silently). Try to quickly summarize what you listened to and what you read. Can you do it? Of course, it's better if you can do this with a friend. Find a friend and study together a few times a week. You can practice together.
That's it! Approximately thirty minutes a day, every day - or at least four times a week! If you continue to do this, you will be surprised at how quickly your English improves!
Of course, there are many more ways to improve your English. However, make a habit of doing these simple exercises at least four times a week. When you have questions come to this site and use the beginning English resources, or use your grammar book. Watch a video online, try to use English in every way you can - even if the language is too difficult.

Learning English – Tips for Beginners

Learning any new language is always a long and hard process. But there are little tips and tricks that can help along the way. With a little effort and dedication, learning a new language can become fun and exciting. Here are a few hints that will help a beginner in learning English.Tip #1: Use what you learn. This, more than anything else, is going to help a person learn English quickly and with accuracy. It also helps to learn first those words you can use often. A student should start to notice which words they use most often and learn how to say them in English.Tip #2: Work with others. Learning English by oneself can be a trying ordeal. Learning English with a friend can be fun and exciting. Two friends learning together can remind each other to use what they have learned and correct each other when they make mistakes.
Tip #3: Learn songs. If someone were asked to remember what their mother said to them at their childhood bedside, they probably wouldn’t be able to say. However, if someone were asked to sing a song that their mother sang to them at that same bedside, they could sing it back without missing a word. The human brain remembers song a lot better than it remembers straight words. Singing English songs can help with improving accent and remembering how words go together.
Tip #4: Write down new words. If a person can put new information into their brain in several different ways, they will remember it better. Writing down new words lets your mind remember the way it looks, the way it feels to write it. Even better, say the word aloud as you write it.
Tip #5: Write down what you hear. As a person learns English, he will hear new words every time he talks with someone in English. If these new words are not written down, they will be forgotten by the time the person makes it back to a dictionary where they can look the word up. One of the best investments a new English student can make is to buy a small notebook and pen that they can carry with them everywhere they go. Students are often shy about asking people about some word they just said. The truth is most people are more than happy to help, even spelling out words when asked. Everyone likes to feel like they have been helpful.
Tip #6: Read a book. In American schools, the smartest kids and quickest learners are those that take the time to read. Reading will supply a student with new vocabulary and lots of valuable practice. For those who are just starting, Dr. Seuss books provide a quick and fun way to absorb basic vocabulary.
As in everything else in life, the true key to success is very simple: practice, practice, practice. Anyone who is willing to make a real effort every single day can learn English, or any other language, for that matter. All it takes is a little time and dedication.