Classroom Phrases and Teacher’s Expressions

Essential Classroom Phrases for Teachers

Greetings and Classroom Management

• Congratulations! Well done!
• Who’s not here today?
• Never mind. Better luck next time.
• Do you feel better today? Are you better now? Have you been ill?
• Sorry, that was my fault.
• You’re blocking the way. Get out of the way, please.
• I’ll be back in a moment. I’ve got to go next door for a moment.
• I’m afraid I can’t speak any louder. I seem to be losing my voice.
• I have a sore throat.
• I have a headache.
• Do you mind if I sit down?
• Come out and write it on the board.
• Let’s sing a song. All together now. The whole class, please.
• Next one, please.
• Let me explain what I want you to do next.
• Can you all see the board?
• Look this way.
• Stop talking.
• Be careful.

Asking Questions and Giving Instructions

• What was the house like?
• What do you think?
• How can you tell?

Positive Feedback and Encouragement

• Yes, that’s right.
• Almost. Try again.
• What about this word?
• That really is very kind of you.
• Don’t worry about it.
• Have a nice weekend.
• Thanks for your help.
• That’s very good.
• Well done.
• That’s nice.
• Marvellous!
• You did a great job.
• Terrific!
• Fantastic!
• That’s right.
• You’ve got the idea.
• It depends.
• It might be, I suppose.
• That’s much better.
• You’ve improved a lot.

Correcting Errors and Giving Hints

• You were almost right.
• You’ve almost got it.
• Maybe this will help you.
• Do you want a clue (hint)?
• You have good pronunciation.
• You speak very fluently.
• You have made a lot of progress.
• You still have some trouble with pronunciation.
• I’m afraid that’s not quite right.
• You can’t say that, I’m afraid.
• You can’t use that word here.
• Good try, but not quite right.
• Have another try.
• Not quite right.
• Try again.
• You need more practice with these words.
• You’ll have to spend some time practicing this.