Niveau CECR : A1
Read/Listen first
Two colleagues speak on the phone about a simple delivery. The line is not very clear. One person says, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.” Then they add, “Could you say that again, please?” The other person repeats slowly and checks the key word. They spell the street name to avoid mistakes. Finally, both confirm the time and place. The call is polite and short, and both speakers use simple phrases to manage the call well.⚡ Learning goals
- Use polite requests to manage a phone call.
- Ask for repetition and slower speech when needed.
- Check key details to avoid mistakes.
✨ Grammar Points — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Polite requests with “Could you…?”
Rule: Form: Could you + base verb + please?
Examples: Could you say that again, please? Could you speak slowly? Could you confirm the address?
Practice prompt: Transform: “Repeat that.” →
✅ Could you repeat that, please?
Exercise: Form a polite request to spell the name.
✅ Could you spell the name, please?
Common pitfall + fix: Add ‘please’ and base verb; avoid “to spell”.
2️⃣ Present simple for routines
Rule: Use present simple for facts and routines.
Examples: I don’t understand. We deliver at ten. You speak clearly.
Practice prompt: Choose the correct form: “I __ understand.”
✅ I don’t understand.
Exercise: Write a routine fact about a call.
✅ We confirm times by email.
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid present continuous for general facts here.
3️⃣ Adverbs of manner (slowly, clearly)
Rule: Adverb after the verb or at sentence end.
Examples: Please speak slowly. She spells names clearly. Repeat the time carefully.
Practice prompt: Place the adverb: “Speak ___.”
✅ Speak slowly.
Exercise: Rewrite: “She spells names clear.”
✅ She spells names clearly.
Common pitfall + fix: Use -ly; not *clear* for manner.
4️⃣ Checking understanding
Rule: Use short checks to avoid errors.
Examples: So, the time is ten? Did I get that right? Let me check the street: P‑A‑R‑K.
Practice prompt: Write a check question for time.
✅ So, the time is ten?
Exercise: Spell PARK with a check.
✅ P as in pizza, A as in apple, R as in rainbow, K as in kite.
Common pitfall + fix: Keep checks short and specific.
✍️ Vocabulary (6 entries)
clearly
Meaning: in a way that is easy to hear.
Synonyms: plainly, distinctly
Chunk/Idiom: ““Please speak clearly.””
Example: Please speak clearly on the phone.
Morphology: adv.; manner; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with one verb.
slowly
Meaning: at a low speed or pace.
Synonyms: gently, gradually
Chunk/Idiom: ““Repeat that slowly.””
Example: Could you repeat that slowly, please.
Morphology: adv.; manner; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud with a request.
address
Meaning: details of a place: street, number, city.
Synonyms: location, place
Chunk/Idiom: ““confirm the address””
Example: Could you confirm the full address, please.
Morphology: noun; countable; neutral
Self-practice: Add your city in a model sentence.
confirm
Meaning: say something is correct.
Synonyms: check, verify
Chunk/Idiom: ““confirm the time””
Example: Let me confirm the delivery time.
Morphology: verb; -s, -ing, -ed; neutral
Self-practice: Confirm a time with a friend.
understand
Meaning: know the meaning of words.
Synonyms: get, follow
Chunk/Idiom: ““I don’t understand.””
Example: Sorry, I don’t understand that word.
Morphology: verb; base/3sg/ing/ed; neutral
Self-practice: Say it aloud in a short sentence.
again
Meaning: one more time.
Synonyms: once more, anew
Chunk/Idiom: ““say that again””
Example: Could you say that again, please.
Morphology: adv.; frequency; neutral
Self-practice: Use it in a polite request.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
- I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
- Could you say that again, please?
- Please speak slowly and clearly.
- So, the time is ten?
✏️ Exercises
1) Grammar
-
Which is correct for a polite request?
1) Repeat please. 2) You repeat please. 3) Could you repeat, please?
✔︎ Answer: 3 — Uses “Could you…” for politeness. -
Make a question for the name.
1) What is your name? 2) What your name is? 3) What do your name?
✔︎ Answer: 1 — Wh‑word + be + subject. -
Fill with the best answer: My name __ Lina.
→ Solution: is — Present simple of “be”. -
Fill with the best answer: __ you spell that, please?
→ Solution: Could — Polite request form.
2) Vocabulary & Comprehension
-
In a call, “noise on the line” means…
1) the phone is silent 2) the connection is not clear 3) the caller is loud
✔︎ Answer: 2 — The connection is not clear. -
“Confirm” is closest to…
1) delete 2) check 3) ignore
✔︎ Answer: 2 — “Confirm” = check/verify. -
Fill with the best answer: Please __ your surname.
→ Solution: spell — Say letters in order. -
Fill with the best answer: I can’t hear. Could you __, please?
→ Solution: repeat — Ask to say again.
⚙️ Integrated content
Mini-dialogue — Natural situation
A: I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
B: No problem. Could you say that again, please?
A: Yes — the van arrives at ten.
B: Got it. I’ll be ready.
Why this matters
Asking to repeat keeps communication accurate and polite.
Verb & Adjective Pack
• speak clearly → “Please speak clearly.”
• repeat slowly → “Could you repeat slowly?”
• confirm details → “Let me confirm the address.”
• check understanding → “So, the time is ten?”
️ Try and compare — guided production + model answers
Exercise 1 — Fill the blank
“I’m sorry, I don’t ______.” → ✔︎ understand (Correct verb choice).
Exercise 2 — Self-correction
You said: “Say again.” → Better: “Could you say that again, please?” (Add polite frame.)
Exercise 3 — Practice aloud
Say two polite request sentences for a call.
