Niveau CECR : [B1]
Read/Listen first
Some people meet neighbours in English, others join short online calls to practise speaking. Regular, small routines work better than rare long sessions when time is limited. I plan short listening on the phone while travelling and simple reading at lunch. At work, international meetings keep my skills active even when I can’t study much. To stay motivated, I track tiny wins and use a few favourite chunks in conversations. This approach is practical, realistic, and easy to repeat day after day. People compare days, notice small changes, and decide what to wear or bring. Simple observations turn into friendly talk, and practice grows naturally. The situation is easy to imagine and helps fluent, confident speaking. These everyday lines are useful at work, while travelling, or with neighbours. You can repeat key chunks and play with alternatives to build range. This keeps the language simple, natural, and easy to reuse. This keeps the language simple, natural, and easy to reuse.
⚡ Learning goals
- Describe simple, regular routines that support English learning.
- Use be able to and imperatives to set practical goals.
- Plan short activities you can repeat during the week.
✨ Grammar Points — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Present simple for routines
Rule: Use present simple for regular habits.
Examples: I read at lunch → We speak to neighbours → Meetings keep skills active.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ I listen on the phone while travelling.
Exercise: Choose: “I ______ English on the bus.” (practise)
✅ I practise English on the bus.
Common pitfall + fix: Use present simple for routine facts.
1️⃣ Present continuous for near plans
Rule: Use present continuous to talk about arranged near‑future plans.
Examples: I’m meeting a friend tonight → We’re joining a call tomorrow → I’m practising at lunch.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ I’m joining a short call tomorrow.
Exercise: Complete: “I’m ______ a short call tonight.”
✅ I’m joining a short call tonight.
Common pitfall + fix: Use be + -ing for near plans.
1️⃣ Be able to for ability
Rule: Use be able to to express practical ability.
Examples: I’m able to join at lunch → We’re able to chat after work → She is able to listen on the train.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ I’m able to read for ten minutes daily.
Exercise: Choose: “I’m able to ______ for ten minutes.”
✅ I’m able to read for ten minutes.
Common pitfall + fix: Don’t confuse with *can* when focusing on practicality.
1️⃣ Imperatives for goals
Rule: Use imperatives to set simple actions.
Examples: Keep it short → Track tiny wins → Repeat favourite chunks.
Practice prompt: Make a sentence with this pattern.
✅ Repeat this routine all week.
Exercise: Fill: “_____ a quick note after each practice.”
✅ Write
Common pitfall + fix: Use base verb without subject.
✍️ Vocabulary (6 entries)
routine
Meaning: a regular way of doing something
Synonyms: habit, schedule, pattern
Chunk/Idiom: ““a short daily routine””
Example: Follow a short daily routine.
Morphology: noun; plural routines; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
chunk
Meaning: a useful fixed expression to reuse
Synonyms: phrase, collocation, set phrase
Chunk/Idiom: ““use favourite chunks””
Example: Use favourite chunks in chats.
Morphology: noun; plural chunks; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
motivation
Meaning: the feeling that makes you want to do something
Synonyms: drive, enthusiasm, willpower
Chunk/Idiom: ““stay motivated””
Example: Small wins build motivation.
Morphology: noun; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
session
Meaning: a period of time spent doing an activity
Synonyms: slot, class, stint
Chunk/Idiom: ““short sessions””
Example: Short sessions fit a busy day.
Morphology: noun; plural sessions; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
track
Meaning: to follow and record progress
Synonyms: monitor, note, log
Chunk/Idiom: ““track tiny wins””
Example: Track tiny wins each week.
Morphology: verb; tracks/tracked/tracking; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
neighbour
Meaning: someone who lives near you
Synonyms: resident, local, fellow
Chunk/Idiom: ““talk to neighbours””
Example: I talk to neighbours in English.
Morphology: noun; US neighbor; plural neighbours; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with your own variation.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
- Keep it short and repeat it often.
- I’m joining a short call tomorrow evening.
- Meetings keep my skills active during the week.
- Track tiny wins after each session.
✏️ Exercises
1) Grammar
-
Which tense fits a routine?
1) present simple 2) past perfect 3) future continuous
✔︎ Answer: present simple — Use present simple for habits. -
Pick the correct phrase:
1) I’m able to reading. 2) I’m able to read. 3) I able to read.
✔︎ Answer: I’m able to read. — Be able to + base verb. -
Fill with the best answer: I ______ English with a neighbour each week. (practise)
→ Solution: practise — Present simple for routine. -
Fill with the best answer: _____ three tiny wins after each session. (Write/While)
→ Solution: Write — Imperative for a goal.
2) Vocabulary & Comprehension
-
A chunk is:
1) a small device 2) a fixed expression 3) a long article
✔︎ Answer: a fixed expression — Chunk = reusable expression. -
Session means:
1) a period of practice 2) a payment method 3) a type of coin
✔︎ Answer: a period of practice — Session = time block. -
Fill with the best answer: Short ______ fit a busy day.
→ Solution: sessions — Plural noun in context. -
Fill with the best answer: Use favourite ______ to sound natural.
→ Solution: chunks — Chunks = fixed phrases.
⚙️ Integrated content
Mini-dialogue — Natural situation
A: I’m joining a short call tomorrow night.
B: Great—keep it short and track your wins.
A: I’ll repeat my favourite chunks this week.
Why this matters
Small, repeatable routines keep your English active when time is limited.
Verb & Adjective Pack (ready-to-use chunks)
• keep it short → “Keep it short and repeat.”
• track tiny wins → “Track tiny wins each day.”
• join a short call → “I’m joining a short call tomorrow.”
• use favourite chunks → “Use favourite chunks in chats.”
️ Try and compare — guided production + model answers
Exercise 1 — Fill the blank: “I’m ______ a short call tomorrow.”
→ ✔︎ joining
Exercise 2 — Self-correction: You said: “I able to read.”
→ Better: “I’m able to read.”
Exercise 3 — Practice aloud: State three mini‑routines you can repeat this week.
