Chants, rhymes & linking sounds

English · Primary School (Thailand) · 3 min read · Updated: 7 Sept 2026

Hello, 5th Graders! Welcome to our "Language for Communication" lesson.

Hello, kids! Have you ever wondered why we learn English? The simple answer is: "To communicate and understand each other!" In this chapter, we will learn how to greet people, introduce ourselves, ask for information, and request help in simple ways that you can use in your daily life, whether you're talking to new friends or a foreign teacher.

If it feels difficult at first, don't worry! English is like playing a game; the more you practice, the better you'll get and you'll definitely level up!

1. Greetings and Farewells

Greeting is the first door to communication. Let's look at some commonly used expressions.

Common Greetings

- Hello / Hi: (Can be used with everyone)
- Good morning: (Used until noon)
- Good afternoon: (Used from noon until 6 PM)
- Good evening: (Used from 6 PM onwards)

Asking how someone is

After greeting someone, we usually ask, "How are you?"
- How are you? or How are you doing?
How to answer:
- I am fine, thank you.
- I'm great!
- I'm okay.
- I'm tired.

Key Point: Don't forget to ask back!

Good manners dictate that when someone asks us how we are, we should respond and then ask back with "And you?" to show friendliness.

Did you know?
The phrase "Good night" is not a greeting! We only use it when we are "going to sleep" or "saying goodbye at night."

2. Introducing Yourself and Others

When you meet new friends, you need to know how to introduce yourself.

Introducing Yourself

- My name is... [your name] ...
- I am ... [age] ... years old.
- I am in Grade 5.

Introducing a Friend

Use this simple sentence: "This is my friend, ...[friend's name]..."

When you've just met someone, say...

- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.

Common Mistake:
Many students get confused between "How are you?" and "How old are you?"
- If you hear the word "Old", respond with your "age number" immediately!

3. Asking for Personal Information

When you want to know more about your friends, use Wh- Questions (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How).

- What is your favorite color? -> I like blue.
- Where do you live? -> I live in Bangkok.
- What do you like to do in your free time? -> I like to play football.

Memory Trick: 5W 1H

- Who
- What
- Where
- When
- Why
- How

4. Asking for Permission and Help

In the classroom or in daily life, we use these sentences very often.

Asking for Permission

Use "May I...?" to be very polite.
- May I go to the toilet, please?
- May I come in, please?

Asking for Help

- Can you help me, please?
- How do you spell "Apple"?

Key Point: Adding "Please" to the end of your sentence will make you sound 100% more polite and delightful!

5. Feelings and Health

Sometimes we want to tell others how we feel or if we are not feeling well.

Asking about feelings

- How do you feel?
- I feel happy.
- I feel sad.
- I feel excited!

Asking about health

- What's the matter?
- I have a headache.
- I have a stomach ache.
- I have a cold.

Key Takeaways

Communicating in English for 5th graders isn't hard. Just remember these simple principles:
1. Greet at the right time: Morning, Afternoon, Evening.
2. Be polite: Always use Please and Thank you.
3. Ask back to build friendship: After answering a question, don't forget to ask And you?
4. Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Communication is about making others understand your message. It's perfectly fine if your accent isn't perfect yet!

Keep it up, kids! Practice speaking in front of the mirror a little bit every day, and you'll find that English is much more fun than you thought!

Quick check

Can you answer these now?

Open each question to check the key ideas from this chapter.

When should you use the greeting "Good afternoon"?

You should use "Good afternoon" from noon (12:00 PM) until 6:00 PM.

What are some common ways to answer the question "How are you?"

You can answer with phrases like "I am fine, thank you," "I'm great!", "I'm okay," or "I'm tired."

How can you show good manners after someone asks how you are?

You should ask them back by saying "And you?"

Is "Good night" a greeting used to say hello?

No, "Good night" is only used to say goodbye at night or when you are going to sleep.

What three basic pieces of information should you include when introducing yourself?

You should state your name, your age, and your grade level.

How do you introduce a friend to another person?

You can use the simple sentence: "This is my friend, [friend's name]."

How can you avoid confusing "How are you?" with "How old are you?"

Listen for the word "Old." If you hear it, answer with your age; if not, answer about your feelings.

What are the "5W 1H" words used to ask questions in English?

The words are Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

What is the most polite way to ask for permission in the classroom?

Use the phrase "May I...?" followed by your request.

What single word can you add to a request to make it much more polite?

Adding the word "Please" to the end of your sentence makes it much more polite.

How do you ask someone about their health or if something is wrong?

You can ask, "What's the matter?"

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