A2 • Lesson 1
Vocabulary and reading to prepare for your lesson
Click each word to see its meaning and an example.
A short time; a second or two.
"Wait a moment. I need to think about that."
To require a period for thinking or doing something.
"I need time to think about your question."
To consider or use your mind on something.
"Let me think about that before I answer."
A question that is interesting or makes you think.
"That's a good question. I need to think about it."
To give a reply to a question.
"I will answer your question after I think about it."
Not quickly; taking time.
"I speak slowly when I need to think about the answer."
To stop speaking for a moment.
"I pause before I speak to think of the right words."
Ask someone to wait while you think.
"Give me a moment. I need to think about that."
Show you like the question and need to think about it.
"That's a good question. Let me think."
Say you need time before you speak.
"Let me think about that for a moment."
Politely ask someone to wait while you think.
"One moment, please. I want to think about what you said."
Explain you need time to consider something.
"That's interesting. I need to think about that."
Use a filler sound and thinking phrase.
"Um... let me see. I think the answer is yes."
When someone asks you a question, you don't always need to answer right away. Taking a moment to think is okay. Many good speakers pause before they speak.
You can use simple words to show you need time. You can say "Give me a moment" or "Let me think." These words are natural. People understand that you need time to think of the right answer.
In conversations, pausing is normal. It shows you are thinking carefully. You are not rude. You are being thoughtful. Taking time helps you give a better answer. Your answer is more clear and correct.
Buying time is easy. Just speak slowly. Use small sounds like "Um..." You can repeat the question. You can say "That's a good question." All of these things are okay. They give you time to think about your answer.
Good speakers know this skill. They don't panic when they hear a hard question. They take a breath. They think. Then they speak. This makes them sound confident and smart.
~220 words • A2 Level
Think about these questions before your lesson.
For each question above, write maximum 3 keywords — no sentences. Then practise speaking your answer out loud from just the keywords.
Q1: "Do you ever need time to think before you answer a question?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Now say your answer out loud. Speak for about 30 seconds from just your keywords.
Q2: "What do you do when you need time? Do you say something or just pause?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Speak for 30 seconds. Let your brain build the sentences from the keywords.
Q3: "Is it okay to pause in a conversation in your culture?"
Your 3 keywords: / /
Say your answer out loud — don't just think it! Your keywords are enough.
Remember: keywords only. Your brain does the rest. Mistakes are good — they mean you're practising speaking, not reading.
Preparation time: ~15 minutes