Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL Learners

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To every teacher I’ve ever had, thank you!
To all of my students past and present, you’ve taught me well.
I am forever grateful.
To all who use this book, happy learning!


Contents
Introduction

1 Meeting People
Greeting People
Formal and Informal Greetings
Conversation: Greeting People
Saying Good-Bye
Meeting People
The Six Steps to Meeting Someone
Conversation: Meeting People
Grammar: Subject Pronouns
Grammar: BE Verb
Grammar: Adjectives
Talking About the Weather
Using the Negative
Using Intensifier Adverbs
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs

Reading About It
Step 1: Pre-Read
Step 2: Read Actively
Step 3: Understand What You Read
Let’s Read Together
Writing About It
How to Begin a Sentence
How to End a Sentence
Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

2 Habits, Customs, and Routines
Talking About Habits, Customs, and Routines
Talking About Family


Grammar: Using the Simple Present Verb Tense
Grammar: Using Adverbs of Frequency
Grammar: Asking WH Questions in the Simple Present Tense
Grammar: Yes/No Questions with Non-BE Verbs in the Simple Present Tense
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Daily Activities
Introducing Someone
Conversation: Introducing Someone to Someone Else
Reading About It
Let’s Read Together
Topics and Main Ideas
Reading Actively
Writing About It
Subject-Verb Agreement with the Simple Present Verb Tense
Proper Nouns

Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

3 Food: Shopping and Restaurants
Talking About What People Are Doing Now
Grammar: Using the Present Progressive Verb Tense
Grammar: Asking WH Questions in the Present Progressive Tense
Grammar: Count and Noncount Nouns
Grammar: Definite and Indefinite Articles
Eating at a Restaurant
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Eating, Food, and Restaurants
Conversation: Making Polite Requests at a Restaurant
Reading About It
Topics and Main Ideas
Discovering Meaning Through Context
Writing About It
Using Commas in a List
Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

4 Getting Around Town
Walking Around Town: Giving and Getting Directions
Conversation: Asking for Directions
Vocabulary: City Center
Grammar: Using the Imperative


Vocabulary: Expressions Used in Directions
Vocabulary: Prepositions of Place
Grammar: There Is/There Are

Describing Your Town
Communication Strategy: Understanding Directions
Taking Public Transportation
Conversation: Public Transportation Schedules
Grammar: The Simple Present Verb Tense for Schedules
Vocabulary: Public Transportation
Vocabulary: Expressions of Time
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Getting Around Town
Reading About It
Let’s Read Together
Discovering Meaning Through Context
Writing About It
Identifying the SVO Sentence Structure
Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

5 Recreation and Hobbies
Talking About Last Weekend
Conversation: Talking About What You Did
Grammar: Using the Simple Past Verb Tense
Time Expressions for the Past Tense
Vocabulary: Recreation and Hobbies
Grammar: Asking Questions with the Simple Past Verb Tense
Grammar: The Simple Past BE Verb
Expressing Attitudes for Recreation and Hobbies
Grammar: Gerunds and Infinitives
Grammar: Possessive Adjectives
Communication Strategy: Encouraging Someone
Communication Strategy: Expressing Disbelief
Conversation: Talking About the Weekend

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Recreation and Hobbies
Reading About It
Discovering Meaning Through Context: Contrast
Let’s Read Together
Writing About It
Interjections: Using the Exclamation Point and Question Mark
Writing About Past Actions


Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

6 Making Friends
Talking to New Friends
Conversation: Making a New Friend
Communication Strategy: Small Talk
How to Make Friends
Grammar: Possessive Pronouns
Grammar: Demonstrative Adjectives
Grammar: Demonstrative Pronouns
Spending Time with Friends
Communication Strategy: Making Invitations
Communication Strategy: Accepting Invitations
Communication Strategy: Declining Invitations
Communication Strategy: Suggesting Activities
Communication Strategy: Sharing Contact Information
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Plans and Activities
Conversation: Putting It All Together
Reading About It
Let’s Read Together

Writing About It
The SVC Sentence Structure
Identifying the SVC Sentence Structure
Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

7 Health and Medicine
Talking About Illness
Real Conversation: Describing Pain
Grammar: Using the Present Perfect Progressive Tense
Communication Strategy: Describing Symptoms
Vocabulary: Symptoms and Ailments
Consulting a Doctor
Communication Strategy: Giving Advice
Communication Strategy: Asking for Advice
Communication Strategy: Asking for Permission
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Health
Conversation: Putting It All Together


Reading About It
Let’s Read Together
Identifying Supporting Ideas in a Paragraph
Writing About It
Structure of a Paragraph
Do It Out There!
Weekly Log

8 Shopping and Clothing
Talking About Shopping

Conversation: At a Clothing Store
Grammar: Using the Future Verb Tense
Communication Strategy: Offering and Asking for Help
Vocabulary: Clothing
Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs for Shopping
Prepositions of Time
Grammar: Object Pronouns
Talking About Clothes
Vocabulary: Adverbs and Adjectives
Vocabulary: Comparatives
Vocabulary: Superlatives
Communication Strategy: Asking for and Giving Opinions
Conversation: Putting It All Together
Reading About It
Let’s Read Together
Writing About It
Review: Structure of a Paragraph
Do It Out There!
Weekly Log
Appendix: Useful Resources for ESL Students
Answer Key
Index


Introduction
Welcome to Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL Learners! This book is for high-beginner-level,
nonnative English speakers who want to improve their English communication skills.
• English learners: Are you living and working in an English-speaking country? Do you want to
live in an English-speaking country? This book will help you build confidence as you speak
English for everyday activities such as greeting and meeting people and asking for directions.

You will also learn reading, writing, and grammar skills.
• Teachers: This book uses a pragmatic approach to teaching English to nonnative speakers. Easyto-understand grammar explanations are illustrated in tables and reinforced with multiple
examples and a variety of exercises to give the learner maximum practice. Common everyday
expressions are put into context in realistic conversation for learners to become familiar with
and practice using in the classroom as well as out there in the world. Use this book to teach
speaking, pronunciation, grammar, reading, and writing skills to your beginner to high-beginner
ESL students in an unintimidating way. Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL Learners provides
the communication skills instruction, practice, and homework activities necessary for your
students to speak English confidently and competently in daily activities.

About This Book
The best way to use this book is to progress through the chapters sequentially. The content and skills
in each chapter build on those of the previous chapters. So start with Chapter 1 and end with Chapter
8. The book is organized by theme, with each focusing on an area of life.
• Chapter themes: Each chapter focuses on a theme, such as daily activities, food shopping,
transportation, recreation, health, and clothes shopping. In every one of these areas of life,
helpful, authentic language that you can use immediately is introduced and practiced.
• Functions: You will learn real language that native speakers of English use in each of these
areas of life. In this book, you will study ways to ask for and give information and express
thoughts and emotions. For example, find out how to start a conversation, ask how to do things,
order a meal in a restaurant, request directions, express your likes and dislikes, accept and
decline invitations, talk to a doctor, and agree or disagree politely.


• Conversation: Each chapter includes a conversation between two people. Each conversation
provides a variety of expressions, vocabulary, definitions, and idioms you need to communicate
successfully in different situations. As a bonus, free downloadable audio files of these
conversations are available to you. Practice listening, speaking, and your pronunciation skills
with these audio files. See the copyright page for information on how to download the audio files
of these conversations.

• Pronunciation Tips: Helpful pronunciation tips are given in every chapter. Free downloadable
audio files are available for you to use while practicing your pronunciation of English. See the
copyright page for information on how to download the audio files with these tips.
• Grammar: Each chapter teaches one or more verb tenses and other grammatical structures such
as pronouns, contractions, and articles. Grammar is the foundation upon which language is used
and understood. When you understand the grammar, you can make better choices when speaking
and writing.
• Reading: Reading skills are essential to living and working in an English-speaking country, so
every chapter has a reading passage. You will learn skills to help you read effectively and
comprehend the paragraph, while also discovering new vocabulary. Practicing reading will
strengthen your writing skills.
• Phrasal verbs: Phrasal verbs are informal expressions native English speakers use in
conversation. Understanding and using phrasal verbs will help you participate in conversations
more naturally.
• Writing: You will learn how to write sentences and paragraphs, as well as how to use
punctuation. Practicing writing also strengthens your reading skills.
• Exercises: The many exercises throughout this book allow you to practice every skill you learn
and help you learn English more quickly. Do each exercise and then check the answers in the
Answer Key at the back of the book. When you discover incorrect answers, revisit the lesson
and try to figure out how to correct the incorrect answers. This strategy will strengthen your
ability to correct yourself, which is a vital skill in language learning.
• Body language: Many chapters show appropriate body language and gestures to use when
speaking in different situations. Using appropriate body language will help you communicate
naturally and effectively in English-speaking countries.
• Chapter quizzes: There is a quiz at the end of every chapter, so test yourself! These tests help
you review and remember the skills you have learned. Answer the ten questions and then check
the answers in the Answer Key. When you discover incorrect answers, revisit the lesson and try
to figure out how to correct the incorrect answers.
• Do It Out There: After each chapter quiz, there is a homework section. Find activities to do out
in the world—outside of the classroom and away from your desk. These sections give you the

opportunity to use the language you learn. These activities are a great way for you to build your
confidence. Confidence comes from doing. So, get out there and use English!
• A word about confidence-building: This book provides the skills you need to use English to
communicate successfully in life and at work. To build these skills, you must use the English you
are learning out there in the world. The book cannot do that for you. You must do this. To build
your confidence, you must use English. You may make mistakes and that is okay! Expect that you


will make some mistakes. This is a normal part of learning and practicing. Practice, make
mistakes, and practice some more. Then practice again. Practice will build your confidence. And
practice makes perfect.
• Answer Key: The Answer Key at the end of the book provides answers for most exercises in the
book. Do each exercise first, then look at the answers in the Answer Key. If you get something
wrong, review the corresponding chapter section so you understand the correct answer. This is a
practical learning strategy.
• Appendix: The Appendix at the back of the book gives you more helpful information. It shows
how to write capital and lowercase letters; provides a list of vowels and consonants, phonetic
symbols, and pitch patterns for conversation; describes the different parts of speech, stative
verbs, irregular verbs, and WH question words; and provides lists of spelling rules,
prepositions, and punctuation marks. Review the Appendix often.

Tips to Help You Learn English Quickly
To improve your English skills, practice every day. Here are some suggestions for practicing in your
daily life. Increase your practice time as the skills become easier.

Listening
• Watch TV shows or movies in English with English subtitles (also known as closed captions) for
15 to 45 minutes every day—on TV, the Internet, or a smartphone.
• Listen to talk shows and news on the radio or Internet for 15 to 30 minutes every day in your car,
at home, or on a smartphone.

• Listen to audio books and read the books at the same time.
• Listen to people speaking English at cafés, at work, at the bus stop—everywhere. It’s OK if you
do not understand much at the beginning. The more you listen, the more you will learn and the
faster your English will improve.

Speaking and Pronunciation
• Create reasons to speak English: ask questions at the market, a restaurant, and work. Ask two
questions every day. As you build your confidence, ask more questions.
• Call a store on the phone and ask for the price of a product. This is a good way to measure your
listening and speaking skills. As you increase your fluency, this task will become easier.
• Practice pronunciation tips aloud in the shower, while driving, and when you are alone at home
or work. Sing the English language! You can begin practicing by singing your phone number. See
Chapter 6 for more information on how to sing your phone number.
• Practice pronunciation tips silently anytime in public—walking down the street, on the bus or


train, or while waiting in line. Even singing in your mind is an effective strategy for practicing
pronunciation.

Reading and Vocabulary
• Read part of the newspaper every day. Choose a section you enjoy, such as sports, business, or
fashion, and read for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
• Read and say aloud every street sign you see.
• Read menus at restaurants to learn food vocabulary.
• Read one children’s book every day. If you have children, read with them!
• Keep a notebook or make flash cards of new vocabulary. Review these words and expressions
every day.
• Use each new vocabulary term five times to learn it well.

Writing and Grammar

• Practice writing the alphabet (both capital and lowercase letters) in your notebook.
• Write five sentences in your notebook every day. Use a period at the end of each sentence.
• Write five questions in your notebook every day. Use a question mark at the end of every
question.
• In these sentences, use the grammar and verb tenses you learned in each chapter.
• Check the subject-verb agreement in every sentence.

Companion Audio Files
Easy English Step-by-Step for ESL Learners features companion audio files that include each
chapter’s conversation and useful pronunciation tips. Practice listening, speaking, and your
pronunciation skills with these audio files. See the copyright page for information on how to
download the audio files.


1
Meeting People
In this chapter you will learn about:

Speaking
How to greet people
How to start a conversation
How to use small talk
How to talk about the weather
How to introduce yourself

Vocabulary, Reading, and Writing
Adjectives about your state and the weather
Adverbs used with adjectives
Phrasal verbs
How to read effectively

How to begin and end a sentence

Grammar
How to use subject pronouns
How to use the BE verb (affirmative and negative forms with contractions)

Body Language
How to shake hands
Nodding
How to wave to say hello and good-bye
How to point politely


How to make eye contact when meeting someone
We will begin with greeting and meeting people. In this chapter, you will practice expressions,
vocabulary, and body language for greetings, introductions, and small talk. To improve your reading
skills, you will study three steps to effective reading. To practice writing, you will learn how to begin
and end a sentence properly.

Greeting People
We greet people when we see them. We always greet people we know. We sometimes greet people
we don’t know. To greet someone is to say hello in a friendly way. There are many ways to greet
someone. What expressions do you use? Make a list of them.

Here are some common greetings. Read them aloud.
To read aloud means to speak what you read with your full voice.

Tip
For greetings at different times of day, use these time tips:
Good morning: use before noon (12:00 P.M.)

Good afternoon: use from 12:01 P.M. until approximately 5:00 P.M.
Good evening: use from approximately 5:00 P.M. until midnight (12:00 A.M.)
Culture Note: Howdy is used only in North America.


Pronunciation Tip: Most speakers link words together. A phrase of three words can sound like
one long word. For example, “How are you?” may sound like “Howaya?” and “What’s up?” may
sound like “Wassup?”
Tip: “Good night” is not used to greet someone. It does not mean “hello.” It means “Good-bye” or
“Have a good sleep” / “I am going to bed.”

Formal and Informal Greetings
Some greetings are formal, and some are informal. Formal greetings are more polite and used with
people to whom we want to show respect, such as a boss or a teacher. Informal greetings are casual
and used with friends and other people with whom we feel comfortable.

Culture Note
In the United States, men and women generally greet each other similarly: They use the same
greetings and they shake hands the first time they meet. See Meeting People, Step 3.

Exercise 1.1
Which of the greetings previously listed are formal and which are informal? A couple of greetings
are neutral, meaning they can be used in most situations. Note each greeting in the appropriate
column.


Exercise 1.2
Look at the following situations and decide if the greeting is appropriate or inappropriate for the
situation. Follow the example. When the greeting is inappropriate, think of a better one.
An appropriate greeting is proper and suitable for the situation. An inappropriate greeting is

improper and unsuitable for the situation.
EXAMPLE

It’s 5:00 P.M. Gabrielle is at school and greets her friend. She says, “Good morning!”

“Good morning” is inappropriate because 5:00 P.M. is in the evening, not in the morning.
1. It’s 10:00 A.M. Brenda is at work and greets her supervisor. She says, “Hey, what’s up?”
2. It’s 1:45 P.M. Jason is a student in the school cafeteria. He sees his good friend José and greets
him by saying, “What’s happening?”
3. It’s 9:00 P.M. Harry has just arrived at his night job and sees his supervisor. He greets him by
saying, “Good night.”

Culture Note
Use formal language with a superior, such as a boss or a teacher. Use neutral and informal
language with coworkers. Use informal language with friends.

Exercise 1.3
Read the following situations and create appropriate greetings. Follow the example, using the
rules in the preceding note.


It’s 10:00 A.M. Mohammed is at work and sees his coworker. How does he say hello?
Good morning. / Hello there! / How are you? / How are you doing?
EXAMPLE

1. It’s 4:00 P.M. Brenda is at work and greets her supervisor. What expressions can she use to say
hello?
__________________________________
2. It’s 12:30 P.M. Dan sees his friend Sunil. How does he say hello?
__________________________________

3. It’s 7 P.M. Klara greets her teacher in night class. How does she say hello?
__________________________________
4. It’s 8 A.M. Maura sees her friend Isaac. How does she greet him?
__________________________________
5. It’s 9 A.M. Belinda sees her boss at work. How does she greet her?
__________________________________

Conversation: Greeting People

Here are some responses to common questions in greetings. See Grammar: Adjectives for
information on adjectives for states of health.


Tip
To greet someone, we often ask questions. However, we usually do not engage in long
conversations during a greeting. Give brief responses and keep them positive.

Exercise 1.4
Complete the following conversations with appropriate greetings and conversation. Use a variety
of expressions.
1. It’s 7 A.M. Brenda arrives at work and sees her supervisor, Donald.
Brenda greets him:____________________________
Donald greets Brenda with a question:_________________________
Brenda replies:__________________________
2. It’s 1:45 P.M. Jason is a student in the school cafeteria. He sees his friend José.
Jason greets José:_________________________________
José replies with a greeting and a question:_____________________________


Jason replies:__________________________________

3. It’s 9 P.M. Harry has just arrived at his night job and sees his supervisor, Miguel.
Miguel greets Harry with a question:__________________________________
Harry replies and asks a question:__________________________________
Miguel replies:__________________________________
4. It’s 10 A.M. Mohammed is at work and sees his coworker, Shannon, in the hallway.
Mohammed greets her:_________________________________
Shannon replies and asks a question:_________________________________
Mohammed responds:__________________________________

Saying Good-Bye
When we leave or when others leave, we say good-bye. There are many ways to do this. What
expressions do you use to say good-bye? Make a list of them.

Here are some common ways to say good-bye. Read them aloud.

If you meet someone new, you can use these phrases to say good-bye. Read them aloud.

Wave Hello and Good-Bye
When we see someone we know and they are too far away to talk to, we often wave. To wave is
to swing a hand or an arm from left to right with the palm facing the person. There are different
ways to wave. You can wave with just your hand near your body.


Or you can wave with your whole arm extended high above your head. The farther away a person
is, the bigger the wave is.

Meeting People
Sometimes you will be around people you have never met. For example, you may be near a person
you don’t know at school, at work, or at a party. How do you meet this new person? How do you
introduce yourself? What do you say when you meet someone new? Think of some examples.

__________________________________
__________________________________

The Six Steps to Meeting Someone
When we meet someone new, we usually follow these six steps:
1. Make eye contact.
2. Make small talk.
3. Introduce yourself.
4. Look for a connection.
5. Learn about each other.
6. End the conversation.


We usually follow these steps at school and when socializing. At work, we sometimes do not
follow all six steps. We sometimes know the connection, so we skip Step 4. Let’s learn more about
these steps.

Step 1: Make Eye Contact
It is common to make eye contact with someone you are meeting for the first time. To make eye
contact means that two people look directly into each other’s eyes. Usually, we make eye contact and
then begin speaking. We often smile. Sometimes, we speak and make eye contact at the same time.
Steps 1 and 2 are often done at the same time.

Culture Note
In North America, eye contact is expected and acceptable during a conversation. When listening,
we often watch someone’s mouth, and when speaking, we look directly in the person’s eyes.

Step 2: Begin the Conversation with Small Talk and Be Positive
You can begin a conversation with someone by using small talk. Small talk is informal discussion
about topics that are simple, nonpersonal, and noncontroversial. When you use small talk, speak about

things in a positive way. Do not say negative things.

Culture Note: Making Small Talk
Common small talk topics in North America include:
Topics are nonpersonal when they are about general ideas and things; they are not about specific
people. Topics are controversial when they are taboo or when people often disagree about them.
Examples of controversial topics include money, politics, and religion. Noncontroversial topics
are topics that many people can easily discuss without arguing.
• The weather—Nice weather we’re having. Beautiful day, isn’t it?
• Your surroundings, such as the venue, drinks, food, and music—Great music!
• The latest technology—Is that the newest smartphone?
• Current movies or TV programs—Have you seen (name of the movie or TV show)?
• Any topic relevant to the situation, such as homework if you are in a classroom—Did you do the
homework?—or the music and food at a party—The food is really good.


Common small talk topics in the United Kingdom include:
• The weather—Nice weather we’re having. Beautiful day, isn’t it?
• Something you have in common—Have you been standing here long?—if you are standing
behind someone in a queue.

Step 3: Introduce Yourself—Smile and Shake Hands
To introduce yourself, say your name. Use the following expressions:
I’m (say name).
(Say name.)
Less common: My name is (say name).

Culture Note: Giving Your Name
In North America, we say just our first names in informal situations. In business or formal
situations, we give our first and last names.

When you introduce yourself, shake hands. Follow the rules in the following chart.

Culture Note: How to Shake Hands in North America
Shake with your right hand. Stand one arm’s length away from the other person, and extend your
arm. Your elbow should be close to your body. Put the palm of your hand firmly in the other
person’s hand and shake up and down once or twice. Do not shake too quickly. Hold the
person’s hand firmly, but not too tightly or too lightly. Then let go. Look the person in the eye and
smile when shaking hands.


In general, it is impolite to not shake if another person extends a hand. However, if you do not
want to shake hands because of your religious beliefs, you may smile and nod with your hands behind
your back while you introduce yourself. If you have a cold, you can smile and say, “I’m sorry. I have a
cold.”
To initiate something is to begin something.

Step 4: Look for a Connection or Common Interest—Ask
Information Questions
After you meet someone, continue the conversation by asking questions. (Learn more about asking
questions to keep a conversation going in Chapter 6. In addition to the “BE: Forming WH Questions”
section later in this chapter, you can find more about information questions in Chapters 2, 3, 5, and 7.)
A connection refers to how people know each other through places or other people like friends,
coworkers, family members, and neighbors. For example, Maribel works with Lee. They are
connected through work. Having a common interest means that two or more people like the same
thing. For example, Carlos and Jane both enjoy science fiction movies. So their common interest is
science fiction movies.

Two Types of Questions
Information questions are questions that begin with WH—words and phrases such as who,
what, when, where, why, how, what kind, which one, how many, and how much. These

questions ask for more information about a topic. Here are some examples of information
questions: How do you know Susan? / Who do you know here? / Where are you from?
Yes/no questions require either a yes or a no answer. They begin with words such as the BE verb
and auxiliary verbs such as do, did, have, has, had, should, can, could, will, and would. Here are
some examples of yes/no questions: Do you know Susan? / Have you been here long? / Is the food
good?