Part III (A): Useful English Phrases for Classroom Communication*

Introducing a Topic
What we are going to cover today is ... /First of all, I would like to talk about ...
Today, I am going to talk about /What I want to do today is ...
The important point I want to make today is ... /Today's topic is ...

Making Transitions Between Ideas

Now, let's see what happens. /The second point I want to make is...
If that's clear, we will go on to the next point. /Let's get back to the idea of...
Now, let's approach the problem in a different way.
I'd like to finish talking about ... before we move on ...

Summarizing and Concluding

In summary ... /To conclude ... /In conclusion ... /The conclusions we can draw from this are ...
What we have been talking about ... /Okay, we have discussed...
So far (up until now), I have been trying to show you ...
The important points to remember are ...

Inviting Participation or Discussion

Who would like to say something? /Do you agree ...? /Could you say a little more about that?
Can you elaborate on that? /What do you think ...? /How do you feel ...?
What comparison can you make between ...?
What is the point made by the author of this article?

Clarifying Student Comments

In other words ... /If I understand you correctly, you mean ...
What you said is ... /What this means is that ...
I think I understand what you mean. Let me put it another way.
Would you like to elaborate on this point? /This brings us to our major question ...
Could you restate your point? /I'm not sure I understand.

Giving Examples
For example ... /Take ..., for example. /To be more specific ...
Let me give you an example ... /For instance .../
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 Part III (B): Some Common English Phrases in RJs Classes

Attendance/Taking Roll-call
Whos absent today? /Time to take roll.
Present /Not Present /Anyone M.I.A.? (Missing in action)
Whos gone A.W.O.L.? (Absent without leave)

Late-Tardiness
Youre late.
The doors will be locked ten minutes into the period.
Tardiness reflects a lack of respect for your teacher.
Two lates equals an absence.
*Dont worry: Better late than never, right?
*Dont tell me, you were born late, too, right?
*Youre not late, youre just early for next week, right?

Class Rules/Regulations
Please raise your hand if you have something to say.
No sleeping in class. (You snooze, you lose.)
Please put your cell-phones on silent mode.
Please dont talk when Im talking.
Lets chat about this after class together.
Did you bring enough (food) for the rest of us, too?
*Im talking at you not talking to you.
*And what was your advisors name, again?
* Your new English name is Chucky! [Southern Min/Taiwanese for: Chut-ki! or Get out!]

Homework
Do vs. Due Due next week. vs. Do next week.
Example Sentence: Due next week in class.

Grades & Test Performance

Final Examination = Mid-Term = Test = Quiz =Pop Quiz = Learning Check
G.P.A. = Grade Point Average
I want to know what you know, not know what you dont know.
To ace a test. (do well) - To bomb a test. (fail) - Goose egg. (zero)
Ill definitely be seeing you next semester!
(I dont want to beat a dead horse here, so Ill conclude this lesson )

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