For a brand-new English learner, some of the hardest parts of the day aren’t in the classroom at all. They’re in the lunch line, on the playground, at the library desk and in the nurse’s office. A few phrases for each place make a huge difference.
The cafeteria
Phrases they’ll hear: “Get in line, please.” “Take a tray.” “What is your lunch number?”
Phrases they need: “Can I have a fork?” “I want milk, please.” “I don’t eat ___.”
The playground
Phrases they’ll hear: “It’s time for recess!” “Take turns, please.” “Be safe!”
Phrases they need: “Can I play?” “Can I have a turn?” “It’s my turn.”
The school library
Phrases they’ll hear: “Please use a quiet voice.” “Pick one book.” “Do you have your library card?”
Phrases they need: “Can I borrow this book?” “Where are the animal books?” “I want a book about ___.”
The nurse’s office
Phrases they’ll hear: “How do you feel?” “What hurts?” “Show me where it hurts.”
Phrases they need: “Can I go to the nurse?” “I don’t feel good.” “My head hurts.”
How to teach them
Take a walk to each place and label what you see. Practice the phrases with role-play cards, then let students act it out for real. Hang a labeled poster in the classroom so they can point when the words won’t come.
If you want it ready to go
My Around the School newcomer lessons cover each place in its own lesson: a 3-day plan, a labeled poster, a picture dictionary with a “My language” line, the real phrases adults use, role-play cards, a mini story, writing pages and two Google Slides activities (drag-and-drop plus a self-checking game). Every activity is built for beginning English learners (Levels 1–2).
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