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Speaking for Newcomers

Stand-alone speaking lessons aimed at lower-level students and covering level-appropriate topics and themes.

The features mentioned in this article are available to all Teachers on paid and free subscriptions. However, only a limited number of lessons are available on free subscriptions.

Table of contents

  1. Target students
  2. Key features
  3. Lesson Details & Links

Target students

These lessons are for students with a lower proficiency level who need to develop their speaking skills. Newcomers are the primary audience for these lessons, but long-term English learners and others who want to increase their confidence, accuracy, and fluency with oral English can benefit from them. Lessons in this series target WIDA Entering/CEFR A1 (12 lessons) and WIDA Emerging/CEFR A2 (12 lessons).

Key features

All lessons in this series are based around the following elements:

  1. Topic-based content: Each lesson covers a specific topic and introduces only the language necessary for talking about that topic. By the end of the lesson, students have all the language tools they need to participate in a simple conversation about the lesson topic.
  2. Scaffolded approach: Lessons start with example sentences and conversations to guide students. As the lessons progress, the amount of support given is gradually reduced. In this way, students are able to build confidence and personalize the language they use.
  3. Repetition: Students are given numerous opportunities to repeat key language as the lesson progresses. This allows the students to internalize the correct forms.
  4. Authentic language: Lessons are built upon authentic, level-appropriate conversations. Features of natural speech, such as echoing, responding, and questioning, are included allowing students to express themselves in a non-‘textbook’ manner.
  5. Relevant topics: Each lesson in the series covers an engaging topic that is relevant to the lives of students.


Lesson Details & Links

The lesson name (with link) and objectives are listed below for a quick overview of each lesson. Click a lesson name to launch it directly from this article. To see a spreadsheet of all lessons, click here.


Lesson & Link Objectives
S001 - Family and friends To introduce vocabulary to describe family.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about family.
S002 - Daily routine To introduce vocabulary to describe daily routines.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about daily routines.
S003 - Hobbies and interests To introduce vocabulary to describe hobbies and interests.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about hobbies and interests.
S004 - Food To introduce vocabulary to describe food and cooking.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about food and cooking.
S005 - Weather and seasons To introduce vocabulary to describe weather and seasons.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about weather and seasons.
S006 - School day To introduce vocabulary to describe schools.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about schools.
S007 - Pets and animals To introduce vocabulary to describe pets and animals.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about pets and animals.
S008 - My home To introduce vocabulary to describe homes.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about homes.
S009 - Getting around To introduce vocabulary to describe getting around.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about getting around.
S010 - Shopping To introduce vocabulary to describe shopping.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about shopping.
S011 - Holidays and celebrations To introduce vocabulary to describe holidays and celebrations.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about holidays and celebrations.
S012 - Clothing To introduce vocabulary to describe clothing and fashion.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about clothing and fashion.
S101 - Describing people To introduce vocabulary to describe people.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about people.
S102 - Plans To introduce vocabulary to describe and make plans.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about plans.
S103 - My town To introduce vocabulary to describe towns.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about towns.
S104 - Travel and vacations To introduce vocabulary to describe travel and vacations.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about travel and vacations.
S105 - Activities To introduce vocabulary to describe activities.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about activities.
S106 - Countries To introduce vocabulary to describe different countries.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about different countries.
S107 - Festivals and traditions To introduce vocabulary to describe festivals and traditions.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about festivals and traditions.
S108 - Books To introduce vocabulary to describe books.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about books.
S109 - Movies To introduce vocabulary to describe movies.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about movies.
S110 - Sports To introduce vocabulary to describe sports.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about sports.
S111 - Feelings To introduce vocabulary to describe feelings.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about feelings.
S112 - Jobs To introduce vocabulary to describe jobs.
To provide speaking practice.
At the end of the lesson, students can ask and answer simple questions about jobs.