PREPARATION

A2 • Lesson 2

Describing Photos

Vocabulary and reading to prepare for your lesson

Target Vocabulary

Click each word to see its meaning and an example.

Key Words

a photo noun

A picture taken with a camera.

"I have a photo of my family on my phone."

in the photo phrase

In the picture; shown in the image.

"In the photo, there are two people and a dog."

to see verb

To look at something and know what it is.

"In the photo, I can see a beautiful garden."

a person noun

A man or woman; a human being.

"There is one person in the photo."

blue, red, green adjective

Colors. Things have different colors.

"The sky is blue in the photo. The house is red."

small, big adjective

Size. How large or small something is.

"There is a big tree and small flowers in the photo."

outside adverb

In the open air, not inside a building.

"The photo is of children playing outside."

Speaking Chunks

In the photo, I see... phrase

Start describing what is in a photo.

"In the photo, I see a person and a dog."

There is a... phrase

Say something exists in the photo.

"There is a house in the background."

The person is wearing... phrase

Describe what someone has on.

"The person is wearing a red shirt."

It looks like... phrase

Say what something seems to be.

"It looks like a sunny day in the photo."

I think the photo is... phrase

Give your opinion about the photo.

"I think the photo is very beautiful."

In the background... phrase

Behind or at the back of a photo.

"In the background, I see mountains."

Reading: Talking About Pictures

When you describe a photo, you can start with what you see. You say "In the photo, I see..." This is simple and clear. Then you talk about the things in the photo.

You can describe people. You say what they wear. You say the colors. You say the size. You say if they smile or look sad. You say what they do. You can say "The person is wearing a blue shirt" or "They are sitting outside."

You can also describe places. You say if it is inside or outside. You say the colors of the things. You describe the weather. You say if it is sunny or rainy. You talk about big things and small things in the background.

When you describe a photo, you use simple words. You use present simple. You say "There is" or "I see." You use colors and size words. You describe what you see, not what you think or feel.

Good describing helps people understand your photo. It helps them see what you see. You speak slowly and clearly. You use simple sentences. Your listener can follow what you say.

~230 words • A2 Level

Discussion Questions

Think about these questions before your lesson.

Keyword Speaking Practice

For each question above, write maximum 3 keywords — no sentences. Then practise speaking your answer out loud from just the keywords.

Q1: "What is a photo that you like? What do you see in it?"

Your 3 keywords: / /

Now say your answer out loud. Speak for about 30 seconds from just your keywords.

Q2: "Do you have a photo of a person you know? What are they wearing?"

Your 3 keywords: / /

Speak for 30 seconds. Let your brain build the sentences from the keywords.

Q3: "Do you like photos of people, places, or things?"

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.

Start Lesson 2 →

Preparation time: ~15 minutes