Adult ESL · Speaking & Vocabulary

Everyday English: Small Talk That Works

Greetings, introductions, and the questions we use every day
SubjectESL — Conversation
LevelAdult, CEFR A1
Duration75 min
DateThu, Feb 5
TeacherMs. Delgado
1Learning Objectives
2Can-Do Targets
A1 Spoken Can introduce themselves and use basic greetings and leave-taking expressions.
A1 Inter. Can ask and answer simple questions about familiar topics and immediate needs.
A1 Vocab Can use a small repertoire of words and phrases about personal details.
3Today's Words
Pre-teach these ten before the role-play. Drill pronunciation and stress:
How are you?Nice to meet youWhere are you from?jobmarriedweekendSee you laterWhat do you do?neighborhoodHow about you?
4Materials
Vocabulary flashcards with picture support (10 words)
"Find Someone Who…" mingle handout (1 per learner)
Role-play prompt cards (coffee shop, new neighbor)
Sentence-frame poster: "My name is ___. I'm from ___."
Whiteboard & markers; audio clip of a short dialogue
Exit-ticket half-sheets; small bell for timing rounds
5Lesson Arc · 75 Minutes
Warm-Up Present Controlled Free Talk Check & Wrap
0:00–0:10
10 min
👋Warm-Up · Mingle
TeacherGreet each learner at the door. Start a stand-up mingle: "Find someone who is from a different country. Ask their name." Model once with a confident student.
StudentsWalk around, greet three classmates, and write each name and country on the handout. Sit when the bell rings.
Target language "Hi, I'm ___. What's your name? Where are you from?"
0:10–0:25
15 min
💬Presentation · New Language
TeacherPlay a 40-second dialogue twice. Drill the ten flashcards with choral then individual repetition, marking word stress on the board. Ask: "Which question do we use first — name or job?"
StudentsRepeat each word and phrase, copy the sentence frames, and number the questions in the order we usually ask them.
0:25–0:40
15 min
✏Controlled Practice · Pairs
TeacherHand out the sentence-frame poster. Pair learners and assign A/B roles. Circulate, recast errors gently: if a learner says "I from Brazil," echo back "I'm from Brazil — try again."
StudentsTake turns asking and answering the five everyday questions using the frames, then switch partners once and repeat from memory.
Target language "What do you do? — I'm a ___. How about you?"
0:40–1:00
20 min
🌟Free Practice · Role-Play
TeacherSet the scene: "You meet a new neighbor at the bus stop." Give each pair a prompt card. Step back and only note errors for later — let them talk first, correct gently after.
StudentsImprovise a 90-second conversation with a new partner, using at least three of today's words. Then swap roles and try a second scene from a new card.
1:00–1:15
15 min
✅Feedback, Check & Wrap
TeacherRun a quick "correction round": write three common errors on the board (no names) and have the class fix them together. Hand out the exit ticket and praise specific wins you heard.
StudentsFix the board errors as a class, complete the exit ticket, and tell a partner one thing they can now say in English.
6Exit Ticket
1Write three questions you can ask a new person you meet. (Use today's words.)
2Complete the conversation: "Hi, I'm Sam. ____?" / "I'm from Mexico." / "Nice ____."
3Speaking check (teacher one-on-one at the door): introduce yourself and ask me two questions.
What mastery looks like: The learner starts and keeps a short conversation going — greets, gives their own details, and asks at least two follow-up questions — with errors that don't block understanding.
7Differentiation & Extensions

♢Supports

  • Shy or pre-A1 speakers: let them read directly from the sentence-frame card before going from memory, and pair them with a patient, stronger partner.
  • Limited literacy: use the picture flashcards for the exit ticket and accept a spoken answer recorded one-on-one instead of writing.
  • Mixed home languages: allow a quick first-language check with a neighbor before each task, then require the English version aloud.

▲Extensions

  • Ask false beginners ready for more to add a polite follow-up: "Really? That's interesting. How long?"
  • Challenge: role-play the same scene but with a small problem to solve (you don't catch the name and must ask again).
  • Set a real-world task: greet and introduce yourself to one English speaker this week and report back next class.