Intermediate Speaking Practice
Level: A2
Skill: Speaking
Topic: Greetings & Introductions
Time: 20–25 minutes
exercise 1: present perfect (pronoun cycle)
Say the pronoun cycle for each phrase.
I have been here for … .
You have been here for … .
He has been here for … .
She has been here for … .
It has been here for … .
We have been here for … .
You have been here for … .
They have been here for … .
expressions to use:
a few days · a week · a month · a year · a long time
Now repeat the cycle with since.
I have been here since … .
You have been here since … .
He has been here since … .
She has been here since … .
It has been here since … .
We have been here since … .
You have been here since … .
They have been here since … .
expressions to use:
Monday · January · 2020 · I arrived · I started work
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 2: transformation drill (for / since)
Say the first sentence.
Then say the second sentence.
I arrived two weeks ago. → I have been here for two weeks.
I arrived in January. → I have been here since January.
I started work three months ago. → I have been working here for three months.
I moved here in 2020. → I have lived here since 2020.
I met her a year ago. → I have known her for a year.
I started studying in March. → I have been studying since March.
I joined the class two days ago. → I have been in the class for two days.
I came here last summer. → I have been here since last summer.
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 3: extending introductions (substitution drill)
Say each phrase until comfortable.
How long have you been here?
What brings you here?
Have you been here before?
Do you know anyone here?
Are you enjoying it here?
What do you think of it so far?
Now say the response for each phrase.
I have been here for … . / I have been here since … .
I’m here for work. / I’m here for study. / I’m here for travel.
Yes, I have been here before. / No, this is my first time.
I don’t know many people yet. / I know a few people here.
Yes, I’m really enjoying it! / It’s okay so far!
I think it’s … . / I find it very … .
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 4: can / may (polite requests)
Say the dialogue for each phrase.
can
A: Can I know your name?
B: Can you know my name?
A: Yes, that’s right. Can I know your name?
B: Of course! My name is … .
A: Thank you! Nice to meet you … !
may
A: May I know your name?
B: May you know my name?
A: Yes, that’s right. May I know your name?
B: Of course! My name is … .
A: Thank you! Lovely to meet you … !
where
A: Can I ask where you are from?
B: Can you ask where I am from?
A: Yes, that’s right. Can I ask where you are from?
B: Of course! I am from … .
A: Oh, how interesting!
what
A: May I ask what you do?
B: May you ask what I do?
A: Yes, that’s right. May I ask what you do?
B: Of course! I am a … .
A: Oh, how wonderful!
Repeat until you feel comfortable.
exercise 5: how have you been? (dialogue)
Say the dialogue.
A: How have you been?
B: How have I been?
A: Yes, that’s right. How have you been?
B: I have been well, thank you! / I have been very busy lately!
A: Oh really? What have you been up to?
B: I have been … . What about you?
A: I have been … too! / I have been … actually.
B: Oh, that’s interesting!
expressions to use:
working hard · studying a lot · travelling recently
very busy · quite tired · really well
