Welcome to English Around Our School!

Hello, young learners! We use English inside our classroom every day, but did you know that English is all around our school too? From ordering a snack in the school canteen to finding a fun storybook in the library or asking for help on the playground, English helps us communicate everywhere on the school grounds.

Note: To review words used strictly inside your daily lessons, please see our companion chapter, "English in classroom situations."

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first. We will explore each school place step-by-step with simple phrases, friendly tips, and easy rules!

1. At the School Canteen (Food, Drink, and Ordering)

The canteen is one of the most exciting places in school! When you buy food and drinks, you can practise simple sentences to say what you want politely.

Useful Words at the Canteen

• Food: rice, noodles, soup, sandwich, bread, fruit.
• Drink: water, milk, juice.
• Action words: want, buy, eat, drink, pay.

Polite Ordering Phrases

When asking for food or drink, remember to add the magic word please:

• "I want milk, please." (Simple want)
• "Water, please." (Short and polite)
• "May I have some noodles, please?" (Very polite request for older primary grades)

Asking About Price (Buying and Selling)

When you want to know how much money something costs, use this simple question pattern:
• Question: "How much is it?" or "How much is the juice?"
• Answer: "It is ten baht."

Helpful Tip: Always smile and say "Thank you!" when the canteen seller hands you your food!

Key Takeaway: Use "I want... please" or "May I have... please?" to ask for food and drink politely in the school canteen.

2. In the School Library (Signs, Rules, and Finding Books)

The library is a quiet place where we read, look up new information, and borrow wonderful books.

Important Library Signs and Symbols

Libraries use clear signs with words and pictures so everyone knows how to behave:

• Be quiet. / Silence, please. (Do not make a loud noise.)
• No food or drink. (Keep food away to protect the books.)
• Return books here. (Place books you have finished reading in this spot.)

Speaking with the Librarian

When you need to find a book or borrow one, you can say:
• Asking where a book is: "Where is the dictionary?" or "Where are the animal books?"
• Librarian's answer: "It is on the table." or "They are on that shelf."
• Borrowing a book: "May I borrow this book, please?"
• Librarian's reply: "Yes, you may." or "Sure, here you are."

Did You Know? Learning to check a book title and look up words in an English dictionary starts in Primary 3!

Key Takeaway: Follow signs like "Be quiet" and use "Where is...?" and "May I...?" when speaking gently in the library.

3. On the Playground and Sports Field (Games and Safety)

Break time and sports activities are full of action. Here, we listen to instructions, play games together, and stay safe.

Game Instructions and Words

Games often follow steps using sequence words:
• First: "First, make a line."
• Second / Then: "Then, pass the ball."
• Finally: "Finally, run to the goal!"

Joining a Game and Playing Together

When you want to join friends who are already playing, you can ask politely:
• "Can I play with you?"
• Answering: "Yes, you can!" or "Come and join us!"
• Cheering and encouraging: "Good job!" or "Well done!" (compliments)

Playground Signs for Safety

• Do not run. (Often seen near wet floors or steep stairs)
• Wait your turn. (Take turns on swings or slides)

Key Takeaway: Use sequence words like First and Then for game rules, and ask "Can I play?" to make friends on the playground.

4. At the School Nurse Room (Health, Feelings, and First Aid)

Sometimes you might feel unwell or get a small scratch during school hours. Knowing how to explain how you feel helps the school nurse take good care of you.

Telling How You Feel

Use simple feeling words to explain what is happening:
• "I feel sick."
• "I feel tired."
• "I feel hot."

Explaining with a Reason (Primary 5 and 6)

As your English grows, you can add a short reason using the word because:
• "I need to rest because I have a headache."
• "I feel unwell because my stomach hurts."

Asking for Help

When you need assistance right away, say clearly:
• "Please help me."
• "I need your help, please."
• Nurse's response: "Sit down here, please." or "Drink some water."

Key Takeaway: Say "I feel..." and "Please help me" to tell the nurse what is wrong.

5. In the School Corridors, Stairs, and Grounds (Signs and Directions)

Walking around the school buildings means reading helpful signs and asking for directions when you are looking for a room.

Common Signs Around School

• Keep clean. / Throw rubbish in the bin. (Helps keep our school environment beautiful)
• Turn off the tap. (Save water in the restroom)
• Walk, don't run. (Be safe on corridors and stairs)
• Boys / Girls or Restroom / Toilets (Finding the correct washroom)

Asking for Simple Directions

If you are looking for a specific place in the school, use this handy pattern:
• Polite start: "Excuse me..."
• Question: "Where is the nurse room?" or "Where is the canteen?"
• Answers:
- "It is near the library."
- "It is on the first floor."
- "Go straight." / "Turn left." / "Turn right."

Key Takeaway: Start with "Excuse me" and ask "Where is the...?" to find any room in school.

6. The Politeness Toolkit (Everywhere in School)

Good manners make our school a happy and friendly community. Native English speakers use specific polite words, friendly facial expressions, and gentle gestures in everyday situations.

The Golden Politeness Words

• Excuse me: Use this before interrupting a teacher or asking someone for directions.
• Please: Add this to any command or request to make it sweet and respectful ("Help me, please.").
• Thank you: Say this every time someone helps you, gives you something, or answers your question.
• You're welcome: The friendly reply when someone says thank you to you.
• I am sorry: Use this if you accidentally bump into someone or drop something.
• That's all right. / Never mind.: The kind reply when someone apologises to you.

Matching Thai and English Manners

In Thai culture, we use polite ending particles like khrap and kha, and we give a respectful wai. In English, we show the same respect by using words like please, thank you, and excuse me, along with a warm smile, eye contact, and friendly gestures!

Key Takeaway: Pairing "Excuse me", "Please", and "Thank you" with a smile shows great manners anywhere in school.

Quick Review: School Situations at a Glance

1. Canteen: "Water, please." / "How much is the sandwich?"
2. Library: "Silence, please." / "May I borrow this book?"
3. Playground: "First, make a line." / "Can I play with you?"
4. Nurse Room: "I feel sick." / "Please help me."
5. Corridors: "Excuse me, where is the library?" / "It is on the second floor."

Keep practising these simple phrases as you walk around your school, and you will become a confident English speaker every single day!