Welcome to the World of English Speaking!

Hello! Today, we are going to learn how to talk to friends and teachers at school using Commands, Requests, and Asking Permission. These are very important because they help us communicate what we want and what we need to do politely and clearly.

Don't worry if it seems like a lot to learn! We will start with very simple words and move to longer sentences together. Let's get started!

1. Commands: Following Actions

A command is when someone tells you to do something. In your ป.1 to ป.3 years, you usually hear these from your teacher in the classroom.

Common Classroom Commands:
  • Stand up. (ลุกขึ้นยืน)
  • Sit down. (นั่งลง)
  • Listen. (ฟัง)
  • Repeat. (พูดตาม)
  • Open your book. (เปิดหนังสือ)

Quick Tip: In English, we usually start a command with an action word (a verb) like "Stand" or "Sit".

2. Requests: Asking Politely

A request is like a command, but it is much nicer! We use it when we want someone to help us or do something for us. Starting in ป.2, we add a very special "magic word."

The Magic Word: "Please"

To turn a command into a polite request, just add Please at the beginning or the end.

  • "Please come here." (กรุณามาที่นี่หน่อย)
  • "Sit down, please." (กรุณานั่งลงครับ/ค่ะ)
Stopping Someone: "Don't"

If we want to ask someone not to do something, we use Don't.

  • "Don't make a loud noise, please." (กรุณาอย่าส่งเสียงดัง)
  • "Don't run." (อย่าวิ่ง)

Key Takeaway: Using "Please" makes you sound very kind and polite!

3. Asking for Permission: "May I...?"

When you get to ป.4, you will learn how to ask if you are allowed to do something. This is called Asking Permission. We use the word May.

Common Phrases:
  • "May I come in?" (ขออนุญาตเข้าห้องได้ไหมคะ/ครับ)
  • "May I go out?" (ขออนุญาตออกไปข้างนอกได้ไหมคะ/ครับ)
  • "May I borrow your pencil?" (ขอยืมดินสอหน่อยได้ไหมคะ/ครับ)

How to Answer:

If someone asks you for permission, you can say:

  • "Yes, you may." (ได้เลย)
  • "No, you may not." (ไม่ได้นะ)

4. Instructions and Steps

As you move into ป.4, ป.5, and ป.6, you will learn how to give Instructions. This is like a list of commands to show someone how to play a game, make food, or do a craft.

Ordering Words (Sequencers):

To help people follow your steps, use these "order words":

  1. First: (อันดับแรก)
  2. Second: (อันดับที่สอง)
  3. Then: (จากนั้น)
  4. Finally: (ในที่สุด/ขั้นตอนสุดท้าย)

Example: "First, open the bag. Second, take out the toy. Finally, play with your friend!"

5. Advanced Politeness (ป.5 - ป.6)

When you are in the older primary years, you can use even more polite words to talk to others. This shows you have a "wider politeness repertoire" (you know many ways to be nice!).

Using "Can" and "Could" for Help:
  • "Can you help me?" (ช่วยฉันหน่อยได้ไหม - for friends)
  • "Could you help me?" (ช่วยฉันหน่อยได้ไหมคะ/ครับ - more polite for teachers)
Polite Responses:
  • "Excuse me." (ขอโทษนะ/ขออนุญาต - to get attention)
  • "Never mind." (ไม่เป็นไร)
  • "That's all right." (ไม่เป็นไรเลย)
  • "You're welcome." (ยินดีด้วยความเต็มใจ - use this after someone says "Thank you")

Quick Review Box

Did you know? In English culture, looking at someone's eyes (eye contact) and smiling while you ask for permission is considered very polite!

  • Command: "Stand up."
  • Request: "Please sit down."
  • Permission: "May I go to the restroom?"
  • Sequence: First... Second... Finally...

(For more on being polite, see the chapter: "Greetings, introductions & polite expressions".)