language learning center · A1 · Lesson 9
Ask for repetition and clarification
Keep a conversation going when you do not understand.
Understand and learn
Work from a natural example to useful language, one small pattern, a spoken attempt, and a response that is relevant to your life.
Hana
I usually commute by train.
Hana says something unfamiliar.
Mert
Sorry, I don't understand “commute.” What does it mean?
Mert identifies the unclear word.
Hana
It means travel regularly between home and work.
Hana explains the word simply.
Mert
I see. Could you say that again, slowly?
Mert checks and asks for slower repetition.
Notice, try, and speak
Understand a natural example and learn a small set of useful words, phrases, and patterns.
Useful words and phrases
These items were selected by the lesson curriculum for practical use—not extracted as an every-word list.
Sorry, I don't understand.
Signal a problem politely.
Sorry, I don't understand “commute.” What does it mean?
Could you say that again?
Ask for repetition.
I see. Could you say that again, slowly?
Could you speak more slowly?
Ask for slower speech.
Could you speak more slowly?
What does ___ mean?
Ask for a meaning.
What does ___ mean?
I see.
Show that you understand now.
I see. Could you say that again, slowly?
Notice, try, and speak
What should you ask when speech is too fast?
Make it yours
Practise the three repair phrases aloud: again, more slowly, and what does it mean?
Choose a real English word you recently did not understand and ask about it.
Use it with someone
Repair one misunderstanding
- 1. Sorry, I don't understand.
- 2. Could you say that again?
- 3. More slowly, please.
- 4. What does ___ mean?
- 5. I see. Thank you.