Welcome to the Lesson: Language for Communication

Hello, Grade 4 students! Today, we are going to learn the most important part of studying English: "Communication." Learning a language isn't just about memorizing vocabulary for an exam; it's about being able to talk to others, express your needs, and understand what your friends from other countries are saying to you.

If it feels difficult at first, don't worry... Learning English is just like learning how to ride a bike. It might feel a little wobbly at the beginning, but if you practice often, you will definitely get better! Ready? Let's dive in!

1. Greetings and Introduction

When you meet a new friend, the first thing you need to do is greet them. It’s easy to divide this into two styles:

Informal (for friends):

  • Hi! / Hello!

Formal (based on the time of day or when speaking to adults):

  • Good morning - Used from waking up until noon.
  • Good afternoon - Used from noon until about 6:00 PM.
  • Good evening - Used from 6:00 PM onwards.

Asking and answering names:

If you want to know a friend's name, ask: What is your name?
To answer, say: My name is... (your name) or simply, I am... (your name).

Key Point:

After you finish talking, don't forget your manners! Say "Nice to meet you," and your friend will reply, "Nice to meet you, too."

2. Asking how someone is

We usually follow up by asking "How are you?" using this popular phrase:

  • How are you?

How to answer (choose one that matches how you really feel!):

  • I am fine, thank you. - The most basic response.
  • I am great!
  • I am okay.
  • I am tired.

Fun Fact: Most English speakers add "And you?" to the end of their answer as a polite way to ask, "How are you doing?" back.

3. Requests and Commands in the Classroom

In your Grade 4 classroom, you’ll often hear your teacher giving instructions or you might need to ask for permission. Try using these sentences:

Basic Commands:

  • Stand up, please.
  • Sit down, please.
  • Open your book to page...
  • Listen carefully.

Asking for permission (Use "May I..." to be polite):

  • May I come in, please?
  • May I go out, please? (Usually used when asking to go to the restroom.)
Pro-Tip for Remembering:

Always add "Please" to the end of your sentence. It will make you sound like a lovely, polite student 100% of the time!

4. Likes and Dislikes

Let’s practice expressing how we feel about different things:

  • I like... (e.g., I like chocolate.)
  • I don't like... (e.g., I don't like snakes.)

Asking a friend:
Use Do you like... (that thing)...?
- If your friend likes it, they will answer: Yes, I do.
- If your friend doesn't like it, they will answer: No, I don't.

Common Mistakes:

Be careful! Many people accidentally say, "I no like pizza." This is grammatically incorrect. The correct way to say it is "I don't like pizza." (Don't forget the helping word "don't"!)

5. Saying Goodbye

Before you part ways, make sure you know how to say goodbye:

  • Goodbye / Bye!
  • See you later.
  • Good night. (Used only when going to sleep, not as a greeting at night.)

Key Takeaways

1. Greetings: Use Hi/Hello with friends and Good morning/afternoon/evening with adults.
2. Introductions: Use "My name is..." and end with "Nice to meet you."
3. Permission: Always use "May I..." to be polite.
4. Likes/Dislikes: Use "I like" (to show interest) / "I don't like" (to show disinterest).

Final thought: When communicating in English, don't be afraid of making mistakes. The more you dare to speak, the faster you will improve. "Practice makes perfect!" You've got this, Grade 4 students!