Welcome to speaking lessons.

Speaking is the 2nd important skill of the four language skills just after listening. In a majority of languages in the world, learning a language means learning how to understand and speak it. This is because only a minority of the world’s languages are written. Also, written language normally comes after the child is able to speak it. Most children learn to speak their first language well before they go to school. They do so by listening to and interacting with parents, siblings and friends. They listen and they speak. Here are the expressions used for every day communication. They help you learn and practice the skill of speaking English.

Functional language

Thanking: Thanks. / Thank you so much. / That’s very kind of you. / You shouldn’t have!

Apologizing: Sorry. / I am terribly sorry. / I do apologize. / I’m afraid… / I’m sorry but…

Requesting: I would like (to)… / Can I (have)…? / Could I…? / Can I speak to…? / Can we (make it)…?

Granting requests: Of course you can. / Here you are. / Go ahead.

Refusing requests: I’m sorry, that’s not allowed here. / I’m sorry but… / I’m afraid…

Inviting: Do you want to (come)….? / Would you like to (come out)…?

Accepting invitations: I’d love to!

Turning down invitations: I’d love to, but…

Offering (help): Can I help? / Do you want me to…? / Would you like (me to)…? Accepting help: Yes please. / That would be lovely.

Refusing help: That’s okay, I think I can manage. / Thanks for the offer, but…

Introducing people: (Hari), this is (Rakesh). / (Ravi) have you met (Raghu)?

Meeting for the first time: Nice to meet you. / Pleased to meet you. / How do you do?

Making arrangements: Let’s make it (12 o’clock). / Why don’t we…? / How about…?

Saying goodbye: Ciao. / Bye. / See you. / Take care. / See you (next week). / Have a good (weekend / week / holiday).

Agreeing: You’re right. / I agree. / Disagreeing: (Sorry, but) I don’t agree. / You could be right, but… / Are you sure (that’s a good idea)?