.png){kind=small}
Conversational / EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Lesson 14
Learning New Skills
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Talk about skills you are learning or want to learn.
2. Ask and answer questions about learning experiences and progress.
3. Use present, past, and future tenses to describe learning activities.
Exercise 1
Vocabulary
Direction: Listen and repeat after your teacher
noun
Skill
Similar:
similarvocab1.1
similarvocab1.2
similarvocab1.3
similarvocab1.4
/skɪl/
Meaning:
The ability to do something well
- I’m trying to improve my cooking skills.
Real Life Tip:
Americans often value learning new skills for personal and professional growth.
noun
Beginner
Similar:
similarvocab2.1
similarvocab2.2
similarvocab2.3
similarvocab2.4
/bɪˈɡɪnər/
Meaning:
A person who is new to a skill or activity
- I’m a beginner at playing the guitar.
Real Life Tip:
Commonly used in classes, workshops, and online tutorials to describe skill levels.
Pick up
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab3.1
similarvocab3.2
similarvocab3.3
similarvocab3.4
/pɪk ʌp/
Meaning:
Learn something quickly or informally
- I picked up some French phrases while traveling in Paris.
Real Life Tip:
Very common in everyday English when talking about learning informally.
Work on
phrasal verb
Similar:
similarvocab4.1
similarvocab4.2
similarvocab4.3
similarvocab4.4
/wɜrk ɑn/
Meaning:
Spend time improving a skill or task
- I’m working on my drawing skills this month.
Real Life Tip:
Often used in educational and professional settings to talk about self-improvement.
Exercise 2
Conversation
Direction: First, read the conversation aloud. Then, practice by role-playing it with your tutor.
Situation: Two friends talking about learning new skills.
Hey, Jake! Are you learning any new skills lately?
Sophie
Hi, Sophie! Yes, I’m trying to learn how to play the piano.
Jake
That’s great! Are you a beginner?
Sophie
Yes, I just started last month, so I’m still a beginner.
Jake
How do you practice? Do you take lessons?
Sophie
I practice every day for about 30 minutes and watch online tutorials.
Jake
Nice! I’ve been working on improving my cooking skills.
Sophie
Awesome! Maybe we can share tips and help each other improve.
Jake
Exercise 2.1
Questions.
1. What new skill is Jake learning?
2. How does Jake practice the piano?
3. What skill is Sophie working on?
Exercise 3
Practice Time
Direction: Complete the exercise by choosing the correct answer.
1. piano / Jake / learn / trying / is / to
a) Jake is trying to learn piano
b) Jake is trying to learn the piano
c) Trying Jake is piano to learn
2. skills / Sophie / cooking / on / working / is
a) Sophie is working on cooking skills
b) Sophie working is on cooking skills
c) Cooking skills Sophie is working on
3. beginner / just / Jake / started / last month / a
a) Jake just started a beginner last month
b) Jake just started last month as a beginner
c) Just Jake started beginner last month
4. tutorials / online / watch / Jake / does
a) Jake does watch online tutorials
b) Jake watches online tutorials
c) Online tutorials Jake watch
5. tips / share / we / help / each other / can
a) We can share tips and help each other
b) Share tips we can help each other
c) Help each other we can share tips
Exercise 4
Ask Your Tutor
Direction: Ask your tutor these questions. Listen carefully and learn
1. What is a new skill you recently learned or want to learn?
2. How do you usually practice new skills to improve quickly?
3. Have you ever struggled with learning a skill? How did you overcome it?
Exercise 5
Discussion
Direction: Use the new words and expression you learnt in this lesson to have a conversation with your tutor.
1. Which skill do you think is the most useful in daily life?
2. Have you ever learned a skill online? How was the experience?
3. Do you prefer learning new skills alone or in a group?
4. How long does it usually take you to get comfortable with a new skill?
5. Have you ever taken a class or workshop for a skill?
6. What’s the hardest skill you’ve ever tried to learn?
7. If you could instantly learn any skill, what would it be?
8. How do new skills help you in your career or personal life?
9. Have you ever taught someone else a skill?
10. What skill would you recommend everyone to learn?
