Presentation version with some examples of real conversation English and its exploitation in the English classroom

1. Bits of real English
Brittany Ríos
Karly Zagorac
José A. Alcalde

2. What?

Here are some common expressions used
in oral communication among native
young English speakers.

They are in standard English but also with
references to American (AmE) and British
(BrE) English varieties when necessary.

We do not include swear or very local
slang expressions as they are out of our
scope.

3. Why?

Our students sound too “bookish” or formal
when talking to native speakers of English.

These expressions are rarely found in
textbooks and teachers do not spend
enough time teaching them.

Students love repeating and using these
expressions all the time for fun's sake (all
the better for teachers).

4. When?

These expressions should be learnt as soon
as possible

There is no need to wait for a specific age,
competence, level, etc.

They can be dealt with in special lessons,
regularly or as the teacher thinks may be
best.

These expressions are not an “extra” for
late Friday lessons. This should be an
important part of the curriculum.

5. How?

These expressions are organised into
headings for clarity reasons.

As with our mother tongue, they are the
result of the economy of the language (set
phrases to be uttered after the right prompt).

No grammar nor vocabulary explanations
are required. They should become
automatised just like that.

6. Greeting
Hi! / Hi five!
Dude! (AmE) = Mate! (BrE)
How you doing? = How's it going?
What's up? = What's new?
What's going on!? (AmE)
How've you been? (AmE)
Long time no see!

7. Getting attention
Excuse me! / Sorry to interrupt!
Guess what? = You'll never guess what!
Listen up! (AmE)
Pardon me
Can I help you?
Can I add something there?
Just a minute please? = Just one sec /
second

8. Agreeing
Yeah! = Okey dokey!
Me too! ≠ Neither me!
Sure thing! (AmE) = For sure! (AmE)
Go ahead!
Totally = Definitely = Cool
You bet! (AmE) = Yep! (AmE)
I agree! = Exactly! = So true!
Tell me about it!

9. Disagreeing
No way! = In your dreams! = You're
dreaming!
Over my dead body! = Fat Chance!
Yeah, right! (Ironic)
Never gonna happen!
No, period! = End of story
Not in a million years! = Never in a million
years = Never in your lifetime!

10. When eating
Yum! = Yummy! = Delicious!
Yuk! = Yukkie! = Eww! = Disgusting!
Nasting! = Gross! = Minging!
I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!
I'm starving! = I'm famished!
I got the munchies (AmE) = I’m peckish
(BrE) ( hungry for a snack)

11. With new technologies
The computer just froze
This picture is too grainy
This file is bulky
I'm into social networking
We love texting
I usually skype with my friends abroad
I just got the new Mac!
You a Mac or PC person?

12. When playing
I'm in! ≠ I'm out!
Fair play ≠ Foul play
It ain't walk in the park = It was difficult
It was pretty hard ≠ (It's) piece of cake!
Don't jump the gun! = Take it easy!
Deal or no deal? (AmE)
Get the ball rolling
He is in time out

13. Something is wrong
Oops!
Oh, no! = Oh, dear! = Oh man!
Dear heavens = Oh crap! (BrE)
OMG = Oh my God! = Oh my Gosh!
What happened?! = What's wrong?
What's the trouble now?
What's going on?
Tell me everything!

14. Amazing!
Awesome! (AmE) = Neat!
Cool! = Sweet! = Totally!
Wow! = Whoa!
Super! = Amazing!
Dude!! (AmE)
WHAT!?!
OMG!! (oh my God) = Oh my Gosh!

15. Enjoying
We had a great time!
This is real fun!
We are having a blast! (BrE)
Totally amazing!
We gotta do that/it again!
That was awesome!
Best time ever!!
We are having a ball! (BrE)

16. Succeeding
We did it!
Good job! = Outstanding! = Well done!
Nice try!
You are the best!
You rock!
Go us!
We rocked it/that!
We rule!

17. Teasing
Monkey see, monkey do!
Who cares?
I'm going to die of boredom
Don't be such a baby!
I was just playing around! = I'm just
messing with you!
Stop nagging me!
Knock it off!

18. Thanking
I appreciate it!
You saved my day!
Cheers!
You're the best!
I owe you one!
You really came threw! = You really came
handy!
I couldn't have done it without you!

19. Good-byeing
See you! = See ya! = See you soon!
See you later! = Later! = See ya later
alligator, in a while crocodile!
Have a nice day! (AmE)
Got to go! (AmE) = Must dash! (BrE)
Cheerio! (BrE) = Ta-ta (BrE)
We'll be in touch!
Take care!

20. Bits of real English
(more examples can be found in a
PDF document available HERE)
Brittany Ríos
Karly Zagorac
José A. Alcalde