HOW TO TEACH A FAMILY MEMBER ENGLISH IN ONE MONTH

Do you have a family member who doesn’t speak English at all? If your wife or your mother or father don’t speak English (Absolute Beginner), you could either send them to school (where it will take them many years to learn English) or YOU could help them learn English faster by using a simple method. With this method, you can effectively teach someone basic English in one month.

About this Method:

This method works because it’s based on two principals: ONLY TEACH WHAT’S IMPORTANT and NEVER TEACH WORDS IN ISOLATION

Print out this page and give it weekly to the learner (one week ahead). Follow this program and teach them HOW TO SAY (speak) these sentences:

Day 1

Hi, how are you?

Today is Friday, December 15 (this is an example)

Day 2

Hi, how are you?

Today is Saturday, December 16 (for example)

Yesterday was Friday, December 15 (for example)

Day 3

Good morning! How are you?

Today is…

Yesterday was…

Can you help me?

Thank you!

Day 4

Good morning! How are you?

I’m good, thank you.

Today is… and yesterday was…

Excuse me, can you help me please?

Excuse me, where is the washroom?

Day 5

Hi, how are you?

I’m good, how are you?

Today is Thursday, December 22, 2019. (for example)

It’s cold today.

Tomorrow is Friday, December 23, 2019. (for example)

Next month is January. (for example)

Excuse me, could you help me please? (‘could’ is more polite than ‘can’)

Where is the bus stop?

How can I get to the subway? How can I get to the library?

 Day 6

Good morning, how are you?

I’m good, thank you. How are you?

Today is… Yesterday was… Tomorrow is… (day of the week, date, month, year)

It’s cold today. It’s going to be cold tomorrow.

It’s 5:30 now (time)

At a store: Excuse me, could you help me? Where is sugar? I’m looking for sugar.

Excuse me, could you help me? How can I get to the subway?

Thank you.

You’re welcome.

I take a bus.

I don’t drive a car.

Day 7  Test: Do you remember all the sentences? Can you say them?

Day 8

Hi, how are you? I’m good, thank you. How are you?

Today is… Yesterday was… Tomorrow is…

It’s raining today. It’s not raining today. It’s sunny.

It’s 6:45 now.

At a store:  Excuse me, could you help me please? I’m looking for a winter jacket. I need Large / Medium / Small / XL

I take a bus every day. I often take a bus. I take a a bus sometimes.

Thank you. You’re welcome.

Calling an office: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment.

My name is Maria. It is spelled M as in mother, A as in Apple, R as in Red, I as in ice-cream, A as in Apple.

Thank you. Bye!

Day 9

Good afternoon, how are you? I’m good, thank you. How are you? I’m good too.

Today is… (date). Tomorrow is… Yesterday was…

Today is sunny. Today is cloudy. Yesterday was cloudy. It’s not raining today.

Next month is… Last month was…

My date of birth is March 17, 1982. (for example)

It’s 6 o’clock now. I wake up at 7am.

I eat rice every day. I often eat chicken. I eat yogurt sometimes. I never eat fish.

I have two children. My daughter if 5 years old and my son is 14 years old.

At a store: Excuse me, could you help me? Where can I find winter boots?

Calling your doctor’s office: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment. My name is… I’m a patient of Doctor Bergman.

I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?

Thank you, bye!

Day 10

Good morning, how are you? I’m good, thank you. And you? Not too bad, thanks.

Today is… Yesterday was… Tomorrow is…

It’s sunny today. It’s windy today. It’s cloudy today. It’s raining. It’s snowing.

I was born on March 17, 1982. My daughter was born on July 18, 2007. My son was born on September 2, 2001.

It’s 4:46 now. I wake up at 7am. I go to bed at 11pm.

I like chicken. I don’t like fish.

In the street: Excuse me, where is the bus stop? Excuse me, how can I get to the subway?

At the mall: Excuse me, where is the washroom?

At a store: Hi, I’m looking for a good winter jacket.

Calling an office: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment. I’m a patient of Doctor Bergman.

I’m sorry, could you repeat that please?

When is your appointment?

My appointment is on January 25 at 3pm.

The sun is yellow. The sky is blue. The stop sign is red.

Thank you, bye!

Day 11

Hi, how are you? Not too bad, how are you?

Today is… (date)

It’s sunny / windy/ raining / snowing / cold / hot

Tomorrow is… (date)

Tomorrow I’m going shopping. I’m going to the mall. I’m going to buy a winter jacket.

What is your date of birth? My date of birth is March 17, 1982.

The sun is yellow. The grass is green. The sky is blue. The snow is white.

What time is it now? It’s 5:35.

What time do you wake up? I wake up at 7am.

I take a bus every day. I take a bus sometimes.

My friend drives a car.

Do you like chicken? Yes, I do.  Do you like fish? No, I don’t. Do you like ice-cream? Yes, I do.

In the street: Excuse me, do you know where the subway is? Excuse me, do you know where the library is?

I’m sorry, I don’t know.

Calling an office: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment. Can I come on Wednesday please?

At the doctor’s office: I have a headache. I have a sore throat. I have fever.

My family: I have a daughter. She is 5 years old. She goes to school.

I speak English. I speak Hindi/Mandarin/Japanese/Italian/Russian/Arabic.

At a store: Hi, I’m looking for good winter boots. I need size 8.

Thank you. You’re welcome. Bye!

 Day 12

Hi, how are you doing? I’m good, thank you.

Today is…

It’s sunny today. It’s not windy.  It’s really nice outside.

Tomorrow is…

What are you going to do tomorrow?

Tomorrow I’m going shopping. I’m going to the mall. I’m going to buy a jacket.

The sky is blue. The snow is white. My favourite colour is red.

What time is it now? It’s 3:35.

What time is your appointment? My appointment is at 11am.

My friend drives a car. She doesn’t take a bus.

My friend works at an office.

Do you like reading? Yes, I do. Do you like cooking? Yes, I do. Do you like swimming? No, I don’t.

At the supermarket: Excuse me, where can I find sugar?

At a book store: Excuse me, where can I find children’s books?

My home: I live in a house. I live in an apartment.  Where do you live?

My family: I have two children. I have a son and a daughter. My daughter goes to school. My son goes to high school.

I speak English. I understand English.

Sugar is sweet.

At the doctor’s office: I have fever. I have back pain.

At the bank: Hi, I’d like to withdraw $200.

I live in Canada.

Day 13

Hi, how are you? Good, good, how are you?

Today is… (date)

It’s really cold today. I feel cold. I like snow but I don’t like winter.

Tomorrow is… (day of the week) Tomorrow I’m going shopping to the mall. I’m going to buy a warm winter jacket.

What’s your favourite colour? My favourite colour is blue.

What time is it now? It’s 11pm. It’s time to go to bed.

My family: My son is 14 years old. He is a teenager. He goes to school every day.

At a supermarket: Excuse me, where can I find sugar?

I want to buy sugar.

I pay by credit card.

I like to eat rice. I don’t like to eat bread.  I drink water/coffee/tea every day.

My home: I live in Canada. I live in a house. I live in an apartment building.

Calling an office: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment. Can I come on Wednesday? Can I come in the morning?

At the doctor’s office: I have back pain. I have stomach pain.

I’m sorry, could you repeat that?

At the bank: I’d like to withdraw $200. I’d like to pay my credit card.

When is your appointment? My appointment is on Friday.

What time is your appointment? It’s at 3pm.

Excuse me, could you help me please?

I’m learning English every day.

Day 14 Test: Do you remember the sentences?  

In the street:

At a store:

At a supermarket:

At a bank:

Calling an office:

At the doctor’s office:

Day 15

Greeting: Hi, how are you? I’m good, how are you? I’m good too, thank you.

Yesterday was… (day of the week, date)

Yesterday I went shopping. I went to the supermarket.

At a store:  Excuse me, could you help me please? I’m looking for a winter jacket. I need Large / Medium / Small / XL

Thank you for your help.

You’re welcome.

Excuse me, how can I get to the subway? How can I get to the library?

What do you like to eat? I like rice and vegetables.

I want to buy a new cellphone.

Coming to an office: Hi, I have an appointment at 3:30 with Doctor Bergman.

At the doctor’s office: I have pain in my leg. My leg hurts.

My friend: She drives a car. She speaks English. She has a job.

I like chicken. I eat chicken for dinner. I eat rice for lunch. I eat eggs for breakfast.

My name is Fatima.

How do you spell your name?

It’s spelled F, A, T, I, M, A :  F as in Funny, A as in Apple, T as in Table, I as in Ice-cream, M as in Mother, A as in Apple.

What’s your date of birth? My date of birth is March 17, 1982.

My appointment was at 3:30. I came on time.

How long was your appointment? My appointment was 30 minutes.

At the bank: Hi, I’d like to withdraw $200. I’d like to pay my credit card. I’d like to deposit a cheque.

At a book store: Hi, where can I find children’s books?

At a supermarket: Hi, where can I find sugar?

I always pay by credit card. I never pay cash.

I can speak English. I’m learning English every day.

Canadians love dogs and cats. Do you like cats?

Day 16

Today is…  Yesterday was…

Yesterday I went grocery shopping. I bought chicken, tomatoes, eggs and bread.

I don’t like winter because it’s cold. I like summer because it’s hot.

It’s raining today. It’s not snowing today.

I can speak English.

Greeting:

A: Hi, how are you doing?

B: I’m good, how are you?

At a store:

A: Hi, can I help you?

B: Yes, please. I’m looking for a pair of jeans.

In the street:

A: Excuse me, how can I get to the subway?

B: It’s just across the street, near Macdonald’s.

Coming to an office:

A: Hi, I have an appointment at 3:30 with Doctor Bergman.

B: Ok. Can I see your health card?

At the doctor’s office:

A: So what can I do for you today?

B: I have pain in my leg. My leg hurts.

On the phone:

A: How do you spell your name?

B: It’s spelled F, A, T, I, M, A :  F as in Funny, A as in Apple, T as in Table, I as in Ice-cream, M as in Mother, A as in Apple.

At the bank:

A: Hi, I’d like to pay my credit card and withdraw $200.

B: Sure. Do you have your card with you?

At a book store:

A: Hi, where can I find children’s books?

B: I will show you. Follow me.

At a supermarket:

A: Hi, where can I find sugar?

B: Isle 4, in the middle.

At a government office:

A: Hi, I need to renew my health card.

B: Ok. You need to fill out this form.

Talking to a friend:

A: Do you like apples?

B: Not really. I like bananas and oranges.

Day 17

Greeting:

A: Hi, how are you doing?

B: I’m good, how are you?

A: Good. How was your day yesterday?

B: It was good. I went grocery shopping.

Talking to a friend: 

A: Do you like winter?

B: No, I don’t like winter. It’s too cold.

At a store:

A: Hi, how can I help you?

B: I need a new phone.

Calling an office:

A: Good morning. Doctor’s office. How can I help you?

B: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment with Doctor Bergman please.

At the doctor’s office:

A: So what can I do for you today?

B: I have pain in my leg. My leg hurts.

A; What happened?

B: I fell down.

At the bank:

A: Hi, I’d like to pay my credit card and withdraw $200.

B: Sure. Do you have your card with you?

At a restaurant:

A: What would you like today?

B: Can I get rice with vegetables?

At a supermarket:

A: Hi, where can I find sugar?

B: Isle 4, bottom shelf.

At a government office:

A: Hi, I need to renew my health card.

B: Ok. You need to fill out this form.

Talking to a friend:

A: Do you like fish?

B: Not really. I prefer meat.

Talking to a guest:

A: Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?

B: Tea please.

Day 18

Greeting:

A: Hi, how are you doing?

B: Not too bad, thanks. And you?

A: Good. How was your weekend?

B: It was fun. We went to the park.

Talking to a friend: 

A: Do you like winter?

B: Not really. I prefer summer.

A: Me too!

At a cellphone store:

A: Hi, how can I help you?

B: I need a new phone.

A: Ok. What kind of phone?

B: I want Samsung.

Talking to a new friend:

A: What languages do you speak?

B: I speak Urdu, Hindi, Japanese and English.

A: Really?! Wow!

Calling an office:

A: Good morning. Doctor’s office. How can I help you?

B: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment with Doctor Bergman please.

A: Sure. Wednesday 4pm or Thursday 11am?

B: Can I get Thursday 11am please?

A: Sure.

At the doctor’s office:

A: So what can I do for you today?

B: I have pain in my leg. My leg hurts.

A; What happened?

B: I fell down. The road was icy and I slipped.

A: I see. When did it happen?

B: A week ago.

At the bank:

A: Hi, I’d like to pay my credit card.

B: Sure. Do you have your card with you?

A: Oh, here it is.

B: Anything else I can do for you?

A: No, that’s it. Thank you.

At a restaurant:

A: What would you like today?

B: Can I get rice with vegetables?

After the meal:

B: Can we get the bill please?

A: Sure.

At a supermarket:

A: Hi, where can I find sea salt?

B: Isle 4, next to sugar.

At a government office:

A: Hi, I need to renew my health card.

B: Ok. You need to fill out this form.

Talking to a new friend:

A: I have two children.

B: Really? Me too. I have a son and a daughter.

A: How old are they?

B: My son is 14 and my daughter is 5.

Talking to a guest:

A: Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?

B: Coffee please.

A: Ok. How do you take it?

B: Just black.

B: What time is it now?

A: It’s 9:30.

B: Oh, it’s time for us to go home.

Day 19

Greeting:

A: Hi, how are you?

B: Good. And you?

A: Not too bad. How was your weekend?

B: It was pretty good. We went to the park. Took some pictures.

Talking to a friend: 

A: Do you like winter?

B: Not really. I prefer summer. And you?

A: Actually, I like winter. I think the snow is beautiful.

B: That’s true.

At a cellphone store:

A: Hi, how can I help you?

B: I need a new phone.

A: Ok. What kind of phone?

B: Samsung.

A: Sure. Let me show you the latest model.

Talking to a new friend:

A: What languages do you speak?

B: I speak Urdu, Hindi, Japanese and English.

A: Really?! Wow! And how long have you been in Canada?

B: Four months.

Calling an office:

A: Good morning. Doctor’s office. How can I help you?

B: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment with Doctor Bergman please.

A: Ok. We have Wednesday 4pm.

B: Umm… Actually, can I get a Thursday or Friday?

A: We have Friday at 9am.

B: 9am? Ok, I’ll take that.

At the doctor’s office:

A: So what can I do for you today?

B: My leg hurts. I have pain in my knee.

A: I see. When did it start?

B: It started a week ago. The road was icy, I slipped and fell down.

A: I see.

At the bank:

A: Hi, I’d like to pay my credit card.

B: Sure. Do you have your card with you?

A: Oh, here it is.

B: Anything else I can do for you?

A: No, that’s it. Thank you.

At a restaurant:

A: What would you like today?

B: Can I get beef with mashed potatoes?

After the meal:

B: Can we get the bill please?

A: Sure.

At a supermarket:

A: Hi, where can I find organic  rice?

B: Isle 5.

A: Thank you.

At a government office:

A: Hi, I need to renew my health card.

B: Ok. You need to fill out this form.

A: Sorry, could you repeat please?

B: You need to fill out this form. Write your name and your address.

Talking to a new friend:

A: I have two children.

B: Really? Me too. I have a son and a daughter.

A: How old are they?

B: My son is 14 and my daughter is 5. What about your kids? Are they in school?

A: Actually, they babies. Only 6 months old.

Talking to a guest:

A: Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?

B: Coffee please.

A: Ok. How do you take it?

B: Just black.

Later that night:

B: What time is it now?

A: It’s 10:30.

B: Oh my god, it’s late.  It’s time for us to go home.

Day 20

Greeting:

A: Hi, how are you?

B: Not too bad. And you?

A: Good, good. How was your weekend?

B: It was quiet. We went to the park with the kids. How was yours?

A: Nothing special. Stayed home. Did some housework.

Talking to a friend: 

A: Do you like winter?

B: Not really. I prefer summer. And you?

A: Actually, I like winter. I think the snow is so beautiful.

B: That’s true. I just hate the windchill.

A: Oh I know. I hate it too.

At a cellphone store:

A: Hi, how can I help you?

B: I need a new phone. Mine broke.

A: Oh, sorry to hear that. What kind of phone?

B: Samsung.

A: Sure. Let me show you what we have.

Talking to a new friend:

A: What languages do you speak?

B: I speak Urdu, Hindi, Japanese and now English.

A: Really?! Wow! And how long have you been in Canada?

B: Four months.

A: Wow! Welcome to Canada.

Calling an office:

A: Good morning. Doctor’s office. How can I help you?

B: Hi, I’d like to make an appointment with Doctor Bergman please.

A: Ok. We have Wednesday 4pm.

B: Umm… Actually, can I get a Thursday or Friday?

A: We have Friday at 9am.

B: Oh, that’s too early. What about next week?

A: Next week we have Monday at 11am.

B: Monday at 11? That’s perfect.

At the doctor’s office:

A: So what can I do for you today?

B: My leg hurts. I have pain in my knee.

A: I see. When did it start?

B: It started a week ago. I slipped and fell down on the ice.

A: Sorry to hear that. Have you been taking anything for it?

B: Yes, I’ve been taking painkillers but it’s not getting better.

A: Ok. We’ll send you for an x-ray.

At the bank:

A: Hi, I’d like to pay my credit card.

B: Sure. Do you have your card with you?

A: Oh, here it is.

B: Anything else I can do for you?

A: Yes, I’d like to withdraw $200.

B: Sure, no problem.

At a restaurant:

A: What would you like today?

B: Can I get a Greek salad with grilled chicken?

After the meal:

B: Can we get the bill please?

A: Sure.

At a supermarket:

A: Hi, where can I find organic broccoli?

B: Err… I’m not sure we have any. One minute, let me check.

A: Thank you.

At a government office:

A: Hi, I need to renew my driver’s licence.

B: Ok. You need to fill out this form.

A: Sorry, could you repeat please?

B: You need to fill out this form. Write your name and your address. And sign here at the bottom.

Talking to a new friend:

A: I have two children.

B: Really? Me too. I have a son and a daughter.

A: How old are they?

B: My son is 14 and my daughter is 5. What about your kids? Are they in school?

A: Actually, they babies. Only 6 months old.

B: Same age?

A: Yes, two girls. They are twins.

Talking to a guest:

A: Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?

B: Coffee would be nice. Black please.

A: What about some more cake?

B: I’m okay, really. I can’t eat any more.

Later that night:

B: What time is it now?

A: It’s 10:30.

B: Oh my god, it’s late.  We have to go home.

Day 21 Test Do you remember the dialogues? What would you say

at a store, at a restaurant, talking to a guest, at a government office, at a doctor’s office, at a supermarket, at the bank, greeting people, talking to a new friend?

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27 

Day 28 Test

Day 29 Review

Day 30 Test

 

Time:  He was late. She was early. It takes me 30 minutes to get to school. It’s time to go home.

Food:  I need to go grocery shopping. I’m going to buy tomatoes. I never buy meat. I prefer to cook at home. I eat vegetables because I want to be healthy.

Meals: I usually have eggs for breakfast. Sometimes I have sandwich for lunch. I never have fish for dinner. Do you eat pork? Do you like chicken

Transportation: He drives a car.  Turn left. Turn right. I take a bus. Where is the bus stop? We take subway. How do I get to the subway station? This is a final stop. There was an accident on the highway. I’m on my way. I’m going to walk to a store. Where did we park the car?

Friends and Family: My name is Eric. I  was born in 1978. My mother/father is 68 years old. My wife/husband is 35 years old. I have two children. My son is 7 years old. My daughter is a teenager. She goes to school. My youngest child is in elementary school. My sister had a baby last month. I have two friends in Canada. I visit my friends often.

Question Words: Where is my cellphone? When is your appointment? Why did you go there? What time is it now? Who called you? How can I get to the bank?

Body/ Health: I have a headache. I have stomach ache. I have a sore throat. I have fever. My leg hurts. My arm hurts because I fell down. I have a doctor’s appointment. I take medication. I took a painkiller.

Money: We spend money on food. We must pay the bills and the rent. How much does it cost? This table cost $80. I will pay by credit/debit card. I don’t have any cash. The price is too high. This bag is expensive. This is a good deal. This mug is cheap. We decided to sell our house. Canadians are not good at saving money. ( This ______ is cheap. The ______ is expensive. How much does it cost? This _____ cost $__. I spend money on____. I usually pay by_______ card. )

Work: My brother is looking for a job. He works in an office. She is an employee of a large company. He works on computer. He writes emails. He must write a report. It was a long meeting. This document is 6 pages long. She is my co-worker. We work together. I’m volunteering to get Canadian work experience. We have a meeting at 3pm.

Home: We live in an apartment. I take elevator to the third floor. They live in a house. I watch TV every day. I don’t like watching sports. I lost my keys. I cannot find my keys. Could you close the door? Could you open the window? This room is big/small. The couch is not comfortable. Please take out the garbage. Plastic goes in recycling. Maybe I will stay at home this weekend. ( I live in a _______. I watch TV _____. I lost my _________. I cannot find my _______. Could you close _________? This room is _______. This chair is __________. )

English: I want to speak English. I must learn English. I’m studying tonight. I watch Youtube videos to practice listening.

Public Place/Location: Where is the washroom? Excuse me, can you help me? Can I ask you a question? Hi, I have an appointment with Doctor Grey. The library is across the street. We are going to the park. We’re going to the mall. I’m going to the supermarket.

Animals and Plants: Canadians love dogs and cats. I have seen a raccoon. I can smell a skunk. I see three birds: one pigeon and two sparrows. Can you see a squirrel in the tree? I love flowers. ( I like ______. I don’t like _____. )

Feelings/ Emotions: I feel sad when you leave. I feel frustrated when I make mistakes. I feel scared when I drive a car. I feel angry when I lose something. I feel happy when my children smile. I care about my children. Don’t worry, everything is going to be fine. We enjoyed the movie. We had a great time at the party. This book is interesting. The trip to Niagara Falls was exciting. Reading is easy for me. Driving is hard for me. (I feel sad when_______. I feel frustrated when _____. I feel scared when _______. I feel angry when_____. I feel happy when_____. I care about______. We enjoyed _______. The ______ is/was interesting. The trip to _______ was exciting. _____ is easy for me. _______ is hard for me. )

Internet: I have a laptop. He doesn’t have a computer. I always search in Google. I went on the government website. I need to check my emails. I downloaded the app. I uploaded the picture on Facebook.  I forgot my password. (I always search on ______. I went on ________ website. I need to check my_______. I downloaded _____. I uploaded______.)

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IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO TO SCHOOL: HERE’S HOW TO BE A GOOD STUDENT IN CANADA

If you or your family member choose to go to school to learn English, here are some tips on how to be successful in your studies.

Being a good student in Canada means you are autonomous, active and responsible for your learning.

‘Autonomous‘ means you are independent. Search for some information by yourself – don’t wait for your teacher to tell you to do it. If you finished an exercise, don’t just sit and wait. Find something else to do: review (read again) what you studied yesterday or read something in the newspaper in English. Your teacher will not be happy if they see you sit and do nothing.

‘Active‘ means you are not passive. Don’t wait for the teacher to call on you to answer a question. Raise your hand and answer. Or make eye contact with your teacher and answer. Be active – ask questions and answer questions in class. When you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation. But make sure that you don’t interrupt another student when they are speaking to the teacher – wait for your turn. Interrupting is not polite in Canadian culture.

Note: if your teacher is Canadian, she or he will often ask a question but not choose one student to answer. Your teacher will wait for a volunteer  – a student who wants to answer the question. This is Canadian culture. Be active and volunteer your answer. Teachers like it when you show initiative.

‘Responsible‘. You are responsible for your progress and success. Your teacher is there to help you but your success is your responsibility. Keep your binder safe and organized – this is your main responsibility. You are also responsible for asking questions when you don’t understand. You are responsible for telling your teacher about your English language needs and goals. You are responsible for doing your homework.

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How to show respect in class:

1. Come on time – being late every day is very rude. If you have a good reason (for example you need to drop off your kid at school), let your teacher know.
2. Put your cell phone on ‘Silent’ or ‘vibrate’. Do not let your cell phone ring in class – this is not polite.
3. When your teacher is speaking, make eye contact. In Canadian culture, when somebody is speaking to you, you need to look them in the eye.