A1 · Beginner · Personal identification
Nationalities and languages
4 short A1 English scripts to practise how to nationalities and languages. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase I'm from… and I speak…
The wrong badge
Hello, I'm Elif. Nice badge! Where are you from? Hamburg? So your country is Germany and you're German. Lovely!
Wait, my badge says "Spanish". That's wrong! My nationality is Turkish, not Spanish. Marco, is this your badge? You're from Madrid, so you must be the Spanish one. We swapped badges at the door!
American English
Hi, I'm Elif. Cool badge! Where are you from? Hamburg? So your country is Germany and you're German. Awesome!
Wait, my badge says "Spanish." That's wrong! My nationality is Turkish, not Spanish. Marco, is this your badge? You're from Madrid, so you must be the Spanish guy. We swapped badges at check-in!
Voice note from language school
Hi Dad, it's me! I'm at my language school. My teacher is from Glasgow and her accent is really strong. I understand a bit, but not everything. She talks fast, and I don't speak English very well yet.
Don't worry! Turkish is my mother tongue, so I can always ask Selin for help. I'll call you tonight. Love you!
American English
Hi Dad, it's me! I'm at my language class. My teacher is from Texas and her accent is really strong. I understand a bit, but not everything. She talks super fast, and I don't speak English very well yet.
Don't worry! Turkish is my mother tongue, so I can always ask Selin for help. I'll call you tonight. Talk soon!
Our flat is the United Nations
Welcome to our flat! It's like the United Nations. Mia is Italian, Wei is Chinese and I'm British.
Tonight we're cooking, but the recipe is in Chinese. Wei, can you translate? "Add one spoon of..." What? Use the app!
Jake next door is American, and he says "cilantro". We say "coriander". It's the same plant, but two words!
American English
Welcome to our apartment! It's like the United Nations. Mia is Italian, Wei is Chinese and I'm American.
Tonight we're cooking, but the recipe is in Chinese. Wei, can you translate? "Add one spoon of..." What? Use the app!
Jake next door is British, and he says "coriander." We say "cilantro." It's the same plant, but two words!
Burak's big move
Hello! I'm Burak. I was born in Izmir, and I'm learning English every day.
Some people grow up in one place. Not me! Next month I'm going to move to Leeds, and I want to speak well. So I practise on the bus with my phone. Tell me honestly: is my English OK?
American English
Hi! I'm Burak. I was born in Izmir, and I'm learning English every day.
Some people grow up in one place. Not me! Next month I'm going to move to Chicago, and I want to speak well. So I practice on the train with my phone. Be honest: is my English okay?
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Where are you from? phrase | asks which country or town someone comes from |
| country noun | a land with its own government, like Spain |
| nationality noun | the country you belong to by law |
| Turkish adjective | from Turkey; also the language |
| Spanish adjective | from Spain; also the language |
| German adjective | from Germany; also the language |