What to Say When You Don’t Understand English: Handrail Phrases, the Mirror and Real Places

Last week Paul nodded eleven times in one phone call. “Afterwards, I remembered only one word. It was Thursday.” (00:14) Emily knows what he said every time: “And you said, I see, every single time.” (00:18)

That is the problem of this episode. Almost every learner nods, smiles and says I see when the words go too fast. Paul and Emily do not tell you to learn more words first. They give you a small set of short sentences, which they call handrails, so that you always have something to hold: a way to ask again, a way to ask for a slower voice, a way to ask about one hard word, and a way to check what you heard.

Paul says it at the start: “This episode is made for A1 and A2 learners.” (00:37) It runs about 33 minutes. Many parts have a pause where you say the line out loud, so listen somewhere you can speak.

Watch the episode: Watch the episode on YouTube

Time: about 33 minutes to listen. The practice below takes about 15 minutes. The chapter list at the bottom lets you jump to one part.

Before you listen: think about the last time you did not understand someone in English. Where were you, a shop, a phone call, an office? Keep that place in your mind. At the end, Emily asks you to use one handrail in exactly that kind of place.

How to use this page: listen once for the stories. Then go back to the six-line practice at the post office (12:59) and the quiz (25:51), and say every answer out loud before the hosts do. If a line goes too fast, the full transcript is at the bottom.

What You’ll Learn

• Three short questions to own first: Sorry, I didn’t catch that / Could you say it more slowly? / What does this word mean?
• Four handrails for fast speech: ask for a repeat, a slower voice, or simpler words
• How to ask about one hard word and how to ask for an example when you know every word but not the meaning
• The mirror: say back the key part (So you mean…?) and the question for two choices, Do you mean A or B?
• What to say when the other person does not understand you: Let me say that again and I will use simpler words
• Phone numbers in small groups, spelling a name with B as in boy, and Hold on, let me write that down
• Strange sentences: what to say about an idiom (It’s raining cats and dogs, It’s on me, I’m all ears, Let’s call it a day)
• Forms, signs and tickets, and the biggest mistake of all: pretending
• A three-step plan for any hard moment: breathe, choose, say

Key Idea

It’s okay to ask again.

Emily gives you this line before the stories start, “It’s okay to ask again.” (01:00), and the hosts bring it back several times. You do not need a long speech when you do not understand. In Emily’s words: “You do not need a long speech. You only need a few short sentences.” (00:52)

The task for today is small. Ask one real person to repeat one thing: a shop assistant, a neighbour or a friend. Then write one short English sentence in the comments about what you will say next time.

Three Questions to Own First (01:05)

Before the stories, Emily makes a promise: you will learn three short questions first. They are “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” (01:11), “Could you say it more slowly?” (01:15) and “What does this word mean?” (01:18) You can repeat after the hosts, even quietly, and Paul finishes this part with a nice sentence: “Three questions, and you already own them.” (01:44)

If you only have five minutes, listen to this part and say the three questions twice.

Paul’s Story: The Expensive Yes at the Post Office (01:50)

Paul went to the post office last Tuesday to send a small parcel to his cousin. There was a long line behind him. At the window the woman asked a fast question: “Do you want it tracked, or signed for?” (02:13) Paul did not know the words, but he felt the line behind him. So he did what many of us do: “I said, Yes, very fast, to end the moment.” (02:25)

A yes to a question with two choices is not an answer. The woman did both, and the parcel cost more: “It cost seven pounds more. Seven pounds for one tiny word.” (02:39) Emily calls it “That is an expensive yes, Paul.” (02:45) Paul gives the lesson in two short sentences: “A question takes three seconds. A wrong yes costs seven pounds.” (02:49) And Emily puts it in the simplest form: “Ask first, and answer second.” (02:56)

Four Handrails (03:03)

To remember the phrases, Emily gives you a picture: fast English is a long staircase, and a staircase without a handrail is scary. “These phrases are like handrails. You hold one, and you do not fall.” (03:13) Here are the first four.

1. Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Paul explains it: “It means, I heard sounds, but I lost the words.” (03:21) It is soft and polite, and you can use it with anyone.
2. Could you say that again, please? Notice the word please, because “It makes the question warm.” (03:40)
3. Could you speak a little slower? Slower means with less speed.
4. Could you use simpler words? Simple means easy, and simpler means more easy.

Three Places: Pharmacy, Hotel and Airport (04:09)

Paul and Emily use the handrails in three short scenes. At the pharmacy, Paul speaks fast: “Take one tablet with water after lunch, and finish the box in a week.” (04:18) Emily asks for a repeat and a slower voice, and then she has the full answer: one tablet, after lunch. At the hotel reception she asks for simpler words to find out the breakfast time, and Paul answers with a simple sentence: “Breakfast is at seven thirty. In the morning.” (04:57) At the airport check-in desk she asks about one word, kilos, and learns that her suitcase is fine.

Paul points out something important about all three scenes: “Emily did not say, I am bad at English.” (05:30) She only asked for what she needed. “You are not weak when you ask. You are clear.” (05:36)

Why Short Questions Are Polite (05:39)

Many learners think a long, perfect sentence is more polite. The hosts say the opposite is true: “Short sentences are easier to understand, and easier to answer.” (05:46) Think about a busy shop, where the worker has only ten seconds for you: “A short question fits into ten seconds. A long speech does not fit.” (05:55) You also do not need perfect pronunciation. Emily adds that your face is a tool too: look at the person, lean a little closer, smile, and wait one second.

One Hard Word (06:30)

Sometimes you understand the whole sentence, but one word is a wall. Then you can ask “What does this word mean?” (01:18), or “I don’t know that word. Could you explain it?” (06:43), or in a very short way “Sorry, which word?” (06:48)

At the bank, Paul wants to open an account and the clerk says she needs a proof of address. He asks “Sorry, what does proof mean?” (07:01) and learns that “Proof is a paper that shows something is true.” (07:03) A bill with his name will do, and he has one at home. Notice that Paul does not ask the clerk to say the whole thing again. He asks about the one word he needs.

When You Know the Words but Not the Meaning (07:14)

The next problem is harder to see: you know every word and still do not get the idea. Say “I know the words, but I don’t get the meaning.” (07:21) or ask “Could you give me an example?” (07:25) Emily says why this works: “An example makes an idea small and easy to hold.” (07:27)

The Mirror: Say Back the Key Part (07:36)

The strongest tool in the episode is a picture of a mirror: you say back what you think you heard, and if the picture is wrong, the other person fixes it. Emily’s example is “So you mean the shop closes at six?” (07:48) and Emily explains why you win either way: the answer is Yes, exactly or No, at five, and “Now you have the right time.” (07:56)

The mirror is active: “You are building the meaning together with the other person.” (08:03) Two rules keep it short. Repeat only the key part: “Repeat only the key part, like a time, a place, or a number.” (08:10) And do not repeat every word. The hosts give three mirror lines to say slowly: “So you mean, the meeting is on Friday?” (08:22), “So you mean, I should call you tomorrow?” (08:26) and “So you mean, the bus is late today?” (08:29)

Do You Mean A or B? (08:39)

Back to the post office. When a question has two choices and you missed them, there is a special mirror line: “When there are two choices, ask, Do you mean A or B?” (08:43) At the window, the line would have been “Do you mean tracked, or signed for?” (08:48) and Emily says what it would have saved: “That one question could have saved you seven pounds.” (08:50) It works with times too. When Paul invites Emily to dinner on Saturday, she asks “Do you mean seven, or eleven?” (20:02), because, as Paul says, “Seven and eleven can sound the same, so this question is smart.” (20:10)

When the Other Person Does Not Understand You (09:00)

The hosts turn the question around: what if the other person does not understand you? “That happens too, and it is also normal.” (09:05) Do not panic, and say it again in a new way: “Let me say that again.” (09:12), “I will use simpler words.” (09:15) or “Can I show you?” (09:17) You can point or write it down.

Paul shows it with a ladder. He needs something to reach the high shelf, and his neighbour Emily does not understand. He says Let me say that again, then “I need a ladder, please.” (09:36) and the problem is gone. His summary: “Same idea, new words.” (09:44)

On the Phone: Numbers as Heavy Boxes (09:48)

On the phone you have only a voice, and sometimes the line is bad. Then a number comes and your brain says help. Emily’s picture: “Numbers are like heavy boxes.” (10:08) Paul adds that “You cannot carry six boxes at once. But you can carry two.” (10:10) So take numbers two at a time (four five, six seven, eight nine) and ask for them that way: “Could you say the number in small groups?” (10:29)

Then check the number by saying it back: “Let me check. Four five, six seven, eight nine. Is that right?” (10:37) This is the mirror again, with digits.

Names and Spelling: B as in Boy (10:48)

Names are hard on the phone as well. Use “Could you spell that for me, please?” (10:52) and write the letters down with “Hold on, let me write that down.” (10:59) Paul calls it “This is a very useful line.” (11:02)

Some letters sound alike, like B and D, or M and N. Use a helper word: “B as in boy. D as in dog.” (11:12) and “M as in mother. N as in night.” (11:15) You can also ask for this help: “Could you say it with a word, please?” (11:20) Emily’s name is a good practice, “It is Emily Baker, B as in boy.” (11:24)

Two Calls: The Dentist and the Taxi (11:43)

In the dentist call, Paul gives his name and his phone number, and the line is bad. Emily asks for the number in small groups, Paul says it again in groups, and she checks it. Emily’s comment: “See how calm that was? Paul did not hurry, and he did not guess.” (12:24)

In the taxi call, Emily asks for a taxi to the train station and the driver asks for her street and door number. She asks him to say it again more slowly, and the answer is short and clear: Park Road, number twelve. Two calls, the same few lines.

Six Lines, One Story (12:59)

Now the hosts go back to the post office and use Paul’s story to practise six lines. Each one has a pause for you to say it. It is the best part of the episode to replay, because every line belongs to one picture.

• He did not hear the question well: “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” (13:12)
• He had two choices: “Do you mean A or B?” (13:22)
• He did not know the word tracked: “What does this word mean?” (13:32)
• She was too fast: “Could you say it more slowly?” (13:40)
• He wanted to check the price: “So you mean it costs seven pounds?” (13:48)
• And the line for the whole day: “It’s okay to ask again.” (13:57)

Paul’s comment is “Six lines, one story. That is how your brain remembers.” (14:02) Then Emily makes it harder: she says a fast sentence, “Your coffee is ready, and it is two pounds fifty at the counter.” (14:11) and you choose one handrail. The price becomes small with one question, for example Sorry, how much?

When English Hides: Idioms as Gifts (14:34)

Emily has a story too. Last summer her neighbour looked at the sky and said “It’s raining cats and dogs.” (14:52) She really looked up, and she saw only rain. She did not feel funny: “I felt lost, and I did not say anything.” (15:08) Later she learned that the sentence means it is raining very hard.

Paul gives the idiom a picture: “So an idiom is like a gift in wrapping paper.” (15:21) The outside looks strange, but the inside is simple, and asking is how you open the gift. Here are three lines for strange sentences: “Sorry, what does that mean?” (15:36), “I don’t know that expression. Could you explain it?” (15:38) and “Is that an idiom?” (15:42)

Then two more gifts. “It’s on me. It means, I will pay.” (15:48) (A friend says Coffee is on me at a café.) And “I’m all ears. It means, I am ready to listen.” (15:58) There is a short test, and then a last gift, “Let’s call it a day. It means, we stop working now.” (16:19) The hosts end with a good reminder: “an idiom is not a mistake. It is a different way of speaking.” (16:28)

Paper: Forms, Signs and Library Cards (16:38)

Reading can be hard too, especially in a hurry, and a form can look like a wall of words. You can ask “Could you help me with this, please?” (16:51) and say “Sorry, which part? Which line?” (16:58) At a hotel desk Emily is not sure about one line of a form, Date of arrival, and Paul tells her it means the day you came. Paul’s comfort: “A form is only a list of small questions.” (17:24)

At the library, Emily wants a card and the clerk asks for a document. She asks “Sorry, what does document mean?” (17:37) and learns it is an official paper like a bill or a letter. Paul sums it up: “One word was hard, and one question solved it.” (17:59) For signs such as Wet floor, Keep clear or Staff only, you can take a photo and ask someone later, or point and ask “Sorry, what does this mean?” (18:14)

The handrails also work when you are the one who is asked. A stranger asks Emily “Excuse me, how do I get to the library?” (18:24) and she uses the first two handrails, then gives the way: “Go straight, then turn left at the bank.” (18:36)

The Exit Sign (18:48)

The hosts give you one more picture. In a big building you do not look at the exit sign every day, but you know it is there. “Our phrases are the exit sign for your English day.” (18:58) When the words run too fast, you know the way out.

The Doctor and the Dinner Invitation (19:06)

The doctor scene is serious, so the hosts go slowly. The doctor says “Take this medicine twice a day, with food.” (19:13) Paul asks for a repeat and a slower voice, then asks a smart question, “Sorry, with what kind of food? A big meal, or a snack?” (19:26) and checks with the mirror, “So you mean, a small snack is fine?” (19:33) Emily counts what he did: “He asked, he checked, and he repeated.” (19:45)

The Biggest Mistake: Pretending (20:19)

The biggest mistake is not a bad accent and not a small vocabulary. “It is pretending.” (20:27) Paul defines it: “Pretending means you act like you understand, but you do not.” (20:28) That is the expensive yes at the post office. And the good news is that “people are usually very kind.” (20:42) They like to repeat, to explain and to help. So the answer is not perfect English: “You need one calm question.” (20:50)

Four More Places (21:00)

Four more short scenes give you practice with real situations.

• A bus stop. Paul asks if the number twelve bus stops here and does not know the word roadworks. He asks about the word, checks with “So you mean, the bus stops at the next corner?” (21:28) and saves himself a long walk.
• A market stall. The apples cost two pounds a kilo or three pounds for a big bag, and Paul asks “Do you mean two pounds for a kilo, or three pounds for a bag?” (22:02) This time he pays the right price.
• A clothes shop. Where are the fitting rooms? Paul asks “Sorry, which part? Behind the shoes, or behind the coats?” (22:45) and learns to look for a blue curtain.
• A delivery driver on the phone. The line is bad, so Paul says so. The hosts add: “When the line is bad, say so. It is not your fault.” (23:40)

All the Handrails in One Pass (23:44)

Then Paul says eight lines and you repeat each one in the pause: Sorry, I didn’t catch that. / Could you say that again, please? / Could you speak a little slower? / What does this word mean? / Could you give me an example? / So you mean the bus is late? / Do you mean A or B? / Hold on, let me write that down. Paul’s comment is “Your mouth now knows the shape of these lines.” (24:19) Say them in your own voice and your own accent: “Use your normal speed, and use your own accent.” (24:29)

Three Small Mistakes and a Three-Step Plan (24:38)

The hosts name three small mistakes to avoid. First, saying sorry again and again: “One Sorry is enough.” (24:45) Second, asking in a very quiet voice: “Speak clearly, so they can hear you.” (24:51) Third, waiting too long: “Ask quickly, before the conversation moves on.” (24:55) Their rule: “Early questions are small. Late questions are big.” (25:08)

Then comes a tiny plan for any difficult moment, and it is only three words long: “Breathe, choose, and say.” (25:33) Take one slow breath, choose one handrail (only one, not three), and say it calmly. Emily explains why it works: “Under pressure, your brain wants a short path, not a long road.” (25:42)

Quiz: Four Situations (25:51)

Paul and Emily take turns, and you answer in the pause. The four situations are: a flight at nine fifteen from gate fourteen (Sorry, could you say the time again? or So you mean nine fifteen?), a shop assistant who asks about a loyalty card (Sorry, what does loyalty card mean?), a fast telephone message with a number (Hold on, let me write that down. and then check it), and a friend who says Could you pass me the thing on the shelf? (Sorry, which one? Do you mean the blue one, or the red one?). Paul says of the last one: “That is the A or B tool again. It works almost everywhere.” (27:25)

Role Play 1: The Ticket Office (27:29)

Emily is a ticket seller. She says “One return ticket to Oxford is twenty four pounds, and the train leaves at ten past nine.” (27:38) and you practise four things in turn: ask for a slower answer, ask what return means, check with So you mean, one ticket for both ways? and answer her question with a short sentence, Yes, for today, please. Paul’s suggestion at the end is to play it again tomorrow with a new place.

Role Play 2: The Hotel Desk (28:48)

In the second role play Emily is the receptionist at the Green Park Hotel and Paul helps you with each answer. You ask what booking means, say that you have a booking, ask her to spell your name or write it down, check the room number with So you mean room four oh seven? and ask for the breakfast time again. Paul’s summary: “A full conversation at a hotel desk, with five small lines.” (30:19) And the idea behind it: “Big English is only small English, one handrail at a time.” (30:28)

Your Own Place and Tonight’s Practice (30:33)

Now the hosts ask you to think about your own life. “Where do you often feel lost in English?” (30:36) Choose one place, imagine who is there and what they say, and say the best handrail out loud. Emily calls this a private rehearsal: “Nobody heard it, but your brain did.” (31:01)

Tonight, choose one handrail and say it five times, “in the kitchen, in the car, or in the shower” (31:44), slowly first and then a little faster, always with a calm voice.

Today’s Action and Your Challenge (31:52)

The action is simple: “Today, try to ask one real person to repeat one thing.” (31:55) It can be very small. If you still do not understand, ask again: “Then ask once. If you still do not understand, ask twice.” (32:21) Emily says that asking a third time is not rude either.

The challenge for the comments is one short English sentence: “What is the first thing you will say next time you do not understand?” (32:47) The hosts’ example is Sorry, could you say it more slowly? In the next episode they talk about small talk with neighbours. The last line to keep from this episode is “you do not need perfect English. You need a few good questions.” (33:17)

Useful Language from the Episode

Expression	Meaning	From the episode
Sorry, I didn’t catch that.	I heard the sounds, but I lost the words	”Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
Could you say that again, please?	please repeat it	”Could you say that again, please?”
Could you speak a little slower?	use less speed	”Could you speak a little slower?”
Could you use simpler words?	use easier words	”Could you use simpler words?”
What does this word mean?	ask about one hard word	”Sorry, what does proof mean?”
Could you give me an example?	ask for an example	”Could you give me an example?”
So you mean…?	the mirror: say back the key part	”So you mean the shop closes at six?”
Do you mean A or B?	check two choices	”Do you mean tracked, or signed for?”
Let me say that again.	try again in a new way	”Let me say that again. I need a ladder, please.”
Let me check. Is that right?	say a number back	”Let me check. Four five, six seven, eight nine. Is that right?”
Could you spell that for me?	ask for the letters	”Could you spell that for me, please?”
B as in boy	a helper word for a letter	”B as in boy. D as in dog.”
Hold on, let me write that down.	ask for a moment to write	”Hold on, let me write that down.”
idiom	a set phrase that means something different from its words	”Is that an idiom?”
It’s on me.	I will pay	”Coffee is on me.”
I’m all ears.	I am ready to listen	”A friend says, I have news. You say, I’m all ears.”
Let’s call it a day.	we stop working now	”A teacher says it at the end of a long class.”
pretending	acting as if you understand when you do not	”Pretending means you act like you understand, but you do not.”

Mistake and Repair

Some of these lines are easy to turn into something that sounds sharp or unclear. The table below is written for this page and shows common mix-ups next to the form used in the episode.

A common mix-up	The episode’s form
Yes. (to a question you did not understand)	Sorry, I didn’t catch that.
Again!	Could you say that again, please?
Slow!	Could you speak a little slower?
What is mean this word?	What does this word mean?
I no understand.	Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it more slowly?
Is it tracked or signed for? Yes.	Do you mean tracked, or signed for?

Practice with the Episode

1. Choose the handrail

Write the best line for each moment: Sorry, I didn’t catch that. / Could you speak a little slower? / What does this word mean? / Could you give me an example? / Do you mean A or B?

1. The shop assistant speaks very fast.
2. You hear the word receipt and you do not know it.
3. A friend says Do you want tea or coffee? and you missed one of the words.
4. You know every word of an instruction, but you do not understand the idea.
5. You did not hear a whole sentence.

Sample answers (written for this page)

1. Could you speak a little slower?
2. What does this word mean?
3. Do you mean tea or coffee?
4. Could you give me an example?
5. Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

2. Make a mirror line

Change each sentence into a mirror line with So you mean…? or Do you mean A or B?

1. The doctor says: Take it after lunch, around one o’clock. (check the time)
2. A clerk says: The office is open until six or seven. (two choices)
3. A neighbour says: The party is on Saturday. (check the day)

Sample answers (written for this page, based on the episode)

1. So you mean, after lunch, at one o’clock?
2. Do you mean six, or seven?
3. So you mean, the party is on Saturday?

3. Numbers in small groups

Say this phone number out loud in groups of two or three digits, then say the check line: 07 91 23 45 67. Use Let me check… Is that right?

Sample answer (written for this page)

Oh seven nine one. Two three. Four five six seven. Let me check. Oh seven nine one, two three, four five six seven. Is that right?

4. Spell it with a word

Spell Baker with a helper word for B, and spell your own name with helper words for the two letters that sound alike.

Sample answers (written for this page, based on the episode)

Baker: B as in boy, A, K, E, R. For your own name, use any helper word that you know, for example M as in mother or N as in night.

5. Say it out loud

Choose the place where you most often feel lost in English (a shop, a phone call, a form or a party), choose one handrail, and say it out loud three times. Then write one sentence in the comments: The first thing I will say next time is ___.

Keep Practicing

Do you want a closer look at one situation from this episode, a question with two choices that you did not catch? Read Tracked or Signed For? How to Ask “Do You Mean A or B?” Instead of Saying Yes, a page about the post office.

Chapters

• 00:00 Have You Ever Nodded and Understood Almost Nothing?
• 00:57 Today’s Pocket Line
• 01:05 Three Questions to Own First
• 01:50 Paul’s Story: The Expensive Yes at the Post Office
• 03:03 Four Handrails
• 04:09 Three Places: Pharmacy, Hotel and Airport
• 05:39 Why Short Questions Are Polite
• 06:30 One Hard Word
• 07:14 When You Know the Words but Not the Meaning
• 07:36 The Mirror: Say Back the Key Part
• 08:39 Do You Mean A or B?
• 09:00 When the Other Person Does Not Understand You
• 09:48 On the Phone: Numbers as Heavy Boxes
• 10:48 Names and Spelling: B as in Boy
• 11:43 Two Calls: The Dentist and the Taxi
• 12:59 Six Lines, One Story
• 14:34 When English Hides: Idioms as Gifts
• 16:38 Paper: Forms, Signs and Library Cards
• 18:48 The Exit Sign
• 19:06 The Doctor and the Dinner Invitation
• 20:19 The Biggest Mistake: Pretending
• 21:00 Four More Places
• 23:44 All the Handrails in One Pass
• 24:38 Three Small Mistakes and a Three-Step Plan
• 25:51 Quiz: Four Situations
• 27:29 Role Play 1: The Ticket Office
• 28:48 Role Play 2: The Hotel Desk
• 30:33 Your Own Place and Tonight’s Practice
• 31:52 Today’s Action and Your Challenge

Full Transcript

Emily: Have you ever nodded in a conversation, and understood almost nothing?

Paul: All the time. Last week I nodded eleven times in one phone call.

Emily: Eleven times. Did you really count them?

Paul: I did. Afterwards, I remembered only one word. It was Thursday.

Emily: And you said, I see, every single time.

Paul: Every time. It is a very bad habit, Emily.

Emily: Don’t worry. Today, we fix that habit together.

Paul: Welcome to English Practice Daily. I’m Paul.

Emily: And I’m Emily. This podcast is for real English and real days.

Paul: This episode is made for A1 and A2 learners.

Emily: So we use short sentences, simple words, and a slow, clear voice.

Paul: Today’s question is small. What do you say when you do not understand?

Emily: You do not need a long speech. You only need a few short sentences.

Paul: Here is one line to keep in your pocket today.

Emily: It’s okay to ask again.

Paul: We will come back to that line a few times.

Emily: Let’s start with a promise. You will learn three short questions first.

Paul: The first one is, Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Emily: The second one is, Could you say it more slowly?

Paul: And the third one is, What does this word mean?

Emily: If you want, you can repeat after us. Even quietly is fine.

Paul: Let’s try the first one together. Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Emily: Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Paul: One, two.

Emily: Now the second. Could you say it more slowly?

Paul: Could you say it more slowly?

Emily: One, two.

Paul: And the third. What does this word mean?

Emily: What does this word mean?

Paul: Very good. Three questions, and you already own them.

Emily: Paul, I think you have a story for us today.

Paul: I do. It happened last Tuesday, at the post office.

Emily: A post office. That sounds quiet and easy.

Paul: It was not easy. There was a long line behind me.

Emily: Oh, I hate that. You feel everyone is watching you.

Paul: Exactly. I wanted to send a small parcel to my cousin.

Emily: What happened at the window?

Paul: The woman asked me a fast question. Do you want it tracked, or signed for?

Emily: That is a tricky question. It has two choices.

Paul: I did not know the words. But I felt the line behind me.

Emily: So what did you say?

Paul: I said, Yes, very fast, to end the moment.

Emily: Yes? To a question with two choices?

Paul: Yes. And she did both. Tracked and signed for.

Emily: Oh no. Did that cost more?

Paul: It cost seven pounds more. Seven pounds for one tiny word.

Emily: That is an expensive yes, Paul.

Paul: It is. A question takes three seconds. A wrong yes costs seven pounds.

Emily: So the lesson is simple. Ask first, and answer second.

Paul: And that is today’s whole plan. Let’s build your tools.

Emily: Think of fast English like a long staircase.

Paul: A staircase with no handrail is scary.

Emily: But a handrail makes every step feel safe.

Paul: These phrases are like handrails. You hold one, and you do not fall.

Emily: Handrail number one is, Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Paul: It means, I heard sounds, but I lost the words.

Emily: It is soft and polite. You can use it with anyone.

Paul: Say it with me. Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Emily: Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Paul: Handrail number two is, Could you say that again, please?

Emily: Notice the word please. It makes the question warm.

Paul: Could you say that again, please?

Emily: Handrail number three is, Could you speak a little slower?

Paul: Slower means with less speed. Slow, slower.

Emily: Could you speak a little slower?

Paul: Handrail number four is, Could you use simpler words?

Emily: Simple means easy. Simpler means more easy.

Paul: Could you use simpler words?

Emily: Now let’s see them in a real place. Imagine a pharmacy.

Paul: I am the pharmacist. You are the customer.

Emily: Okay, I am ready.

Paul: Take one tablet with water after lunch, and finish the box in a week.

Emily: Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it more slowly?

Paul: Of course. Take one tablet. With water. After lunch.

Emily: Thank you. One tablet, after lunch. Now I understand.

Paul: See? Two small sentences, and she has the full answer.

Emily: Here is a second place. Imagine a hotel reception.

Paul: Good evening. Your room is on the fourth floor, and breakfast starts at seven thirty.

Emily: Sorry, could you use simpler words? What time is breakfast?

Paul: Breakfast is at seven thirty. In the morning.

Emily: Thank you. Seven thirty. That is easy.

Paul: Here is a third place, an airport check-in desk. I work at the desk.

Emily: Good morning. I have one suitcase and one small bag.

Paul: Your suitcase is twenty-three kilos. Please put your bag on the scale.

Emily: Sorry, could you speak a little slower? What does kilos mean?

Paul: Kilos are a measure of weight. Your suitcase is fine.

Emily: Oh, thank you. I understand now. It is not too heavy.

Paul: Notice something. Emily did not say, I am bad at English.

Emily: Right. I only asked for what I needed.

Paul: You are not weak when you ask. You are clear.

Emily: Many learners believe a long, perfect sentence is more polite.

Paul: But the opposite is true. Short sentences are easier to understand, and easier to answer.

Emily: Think about a busy shop. The worker has only ten seconds for your question.

Paul: A short question fits into ten seconds. A long speech does not fit.

Emily: So you protect the other person’s time, and you stay calm.

Paul: Your pronunciation does not need to be perfect either.

Emily: If they hear, Sorry, what, and see your friendly face, they understand the situation.

Paul: Your face is an important tool, too. Look at the person, and lean a little closer.

Emily: Smile in a friendly way, and wait one second. That second feels long to you, but not to them. Good. Let’s keep going. The next handrail is for one hard word.

Paul: Sometimes you understand the whole sentence, but one word is a wall.

Emily: Then you can ask, What does this word mean?

Paul: Or, What does that word mean?

Emily: You can also say, I don’t know that word. Could you explain it?

Paul: And you can say it in a very short way. Sorry, which word?

Emily: Let’s try a small bank conversation. I am the clerk.

Paul: I am the customer. Good morning, I would like to open an account.

Emily: Of course. First, I need a proof of address.

Paul: Sorry, what does proof mean?

Emily: Proof is a paper that shows something is true. For example, a bill with your name.

Paul: Oh, I see. A bill. I have one at home.

Emily: Perfect. Now think about the next problem.

Paul: You know every word, but the whole idea is still not clear.

Emily: Then you can say, I know the words, but I don’t get the meaning.

Paul: Or, Could you give me an example?

Emily: An example makes an idea small and easy to hold.

Paul: Say it with me. Could you give me an example?

Emily: Could you give me an example?

Paul: Now here is a very strong tool. It is like a mirror.

Emily: You say back what you think you heard, like a mirror.

Paul: If the picture is wrong, the other person fixes it.

Emily: For example, So you mean the shop closes at six?

Paul: Yes, exactly. Or, No, at five.

Emily: Either way, you win. Now you have the right time.

Paul: This tool is powerful because it is active. You are not only waiting for help.

Emily: You are building the meaning together with the other person.

Paul: It also gives your brain time to think, because you repeat the important information.

Emily: Repeat only the key part, like a time, a place, or a number.

Paul: Do not repeat every word. Repeat the part that is difficult for you. There are three mirror lines. Let me say them slowly.

Emily: So you mean, the meeting is on Friday?

Paul: So you mean, I should call you tomorrow?

Emily: So you mean, the bus is late today?

Paul: Say one with us. So you mean, the bus is late today?

Emily: So you mean, the bus is late today?

Paul: Remember my post office story. There is another mirror line for it.

Emily: Yes. When there are two choices, ask, Do you mean A or B?

Paul: Do you mean tracked, or signed for?

Emily: That one question could have saved you seven pounds.

Paul: It could. Let’s say it together. Do you mean A or B?

Emily: Do you mean A or B?

Paul: Now let’s turn it around. What if the other person does not understand you?

Emily: That happens too, and it is also normal.

Paul: Do not panic. Just say it again in a new way.

Emily: You can say, Let me say that again.

Paul: Or, I will use simpler words.

Emily: Or, Can I show you? You can point, or write it down.

Paul: Here is a small example. I want to borrow a ladder from my neighbour.

Emily: I am the neighbour. Hello, Paul. How can I help?

Paul: I need something to reach the high shelf.

Emily: Sorry, I don’t understand. A high shelf?

Paul: Let me say that again. I need a ladder, please.

Emily: Oh, a ladder. Of course. It is in the garage.

Paul: Thank you. Same idea, new words. And it worked.

Emily: Great. Now we move to a place where everyone struggles. The phone.

Paul: On the phone, you cannot see a face. You cannot see a hand.

Emily: You only have a voice. And sometimes the line is bad.

Paul: Then a number comes, and your brain says, Help.

Emily: Here is a nice picture. Numbers are like heavy boxes.

Paul: You cannot carry six boxes at once. But you can carry two.

Emily: So take numbers two at a time. Four five. Six seven. Eight nine.

Paul: Four five. Six seven. Eight nine. Do you feel how light that is?

Emily: When someone speaks fast, ask for the small boxes.

Paul: Could you say the number in small groups?

Emily: Or, Could you repeat the number, please?

Paul: And always say the number back to check it.

Emily: Let me check. Four five, six seven, eight nine. Is that right?

Paul: Say it with us. Let me check. Is that right?

Emily: Let me check. Is that right?

Paul: Names are hard too, especially on the phone.

Emily: Then say, Could you spell that for me, please?

Paul: Could you spell that for me?

Emily: And write the letters on a small piece of paper. Hold on, let me write that down.

Paul: Hold on, let me write that down. This is a very useful line.

Emily: Sometimes letters sound alike, especially B and D, or M and N.

Paul: Then you can use a helper word. B as in boy. D as in dog.

Emily: M as in mother. N as in night.

Paul: You can also ask for this help. Could you say it with a word, please?

Emily: Let’s practise my name. It is Emily Baker, B as in boy.

Paul: So that is B, A, K, E, R. Baker, with a B as in boy.

Emily: Yes, that is perfect. You have it.

Paul: Say it with us. Could you say it with a word, please?

Emily: Could you say it with a word, please? Now a real call. I am the dentist, and you are a new patient.

Paul: Good afternoon. I would like to make an appointment.

Emily: Of course. Your name, please?

Paul: Paul Bennett. B, E, double N, E, double T.

Emily: Thank you. And your phone number?

Paul: It is oh seven, nine one, two three, four five six.

Emily: Sorry, the line is bad. Could you say that again in small groups?

Paul: Of course. Oh seven nine one. Two three. Four five six.

Emily: Let me check. Oh seven nine one, two three, four five six. Is that right?

Paul: Yes, that is right. Thank you.

Emily: See how calm that was? Paul did not hurry, and he did not guess.

Paul: One more call. A taxi. I am the driver, and you are the customer.

Emily: Hello, I need a taxi to the train station, please.

Paul: Where are you now? Which street, and which number?

Emily: Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?

Paul: Your street. And your door number.

Emily: Thank you. Park Road, number twelve.

Paul: Park Road, twelve. The car will be there in ten minutes.

Emily: Perfect. Thank you very much.

Paul: And now a break from new lines. Let’s go back to the post office.

Emily: Yes. Let’s use the same story to remember our handrails.

Paul: In the post office, I did not hear the question well.

Emily: So the first line is, Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Say it.

Paul: Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Paul: The woman said, Tracked, or signed for? and I had two choices.

Emily: So the best line is, Do you mean A or B? Your turn.

Paul: Do you mean A or B?

Paul: Maybe I did not know the word, tracked.

Emily: Then ask, What does this word mean? Say it.

Paul: What does this word mean?

Paul: Maybe she was too fast. Then say this one.

Emily: Could you say it more slowly? Now you.

Paul: Could you say it more slowly?

Paul: Maybe I only needed to check the price.

Emily: Then use the mirror. So you mean it costs seven pounds?

Paul: So you mean it costs seven pounds?

Paul: And one more time, our line for today.

Emily: It’s okay to ask again.

Paul: It’s okay to ask again.

Paul: Good job. Six lines, one story. That is how your brain remembers.

Emily: Let’s make it a little harder. I will say a fast sentence, and you ask a question.

Paul: Your coffee is ready, and it is two pounds fifty at the counter.

Emily: Take three seconds. Choose one handrail from today.

Emily: You can say, Sorry, how much? Or, Could you say the price again?

Paul: The price is two pounds fifty. Two fifty.

Emily: See how the price became small? One question made everything easy. Now a small break from the phone, and a new problem. Sometimes English hides.

Paul: What do you mean, hides?

Emily: Well, I have a story too. It happened to me last summer.

Paul: Last summer. Okay, tell us.

Emily: My neighbour looked at the sky and said, It’s raining cats and dogs.

Paul: Oh no. And you looked for cats.

Emily: I did. I really looked up at the sky. I saw only rain.

Paul: That is a funny picture, Emily.

Emily: But I did not feel funny. I felt lost, and I did not say anything.

Paul: That is the same problem as my post office.

Emily: Yes. Later I learned that it means, it is raining very hard.

Paul: So an idiom is like a gift in wrapping paper.

Emily: Yes. The outside looks strange, but the inside is simple.

Paul: And asking, What does that mean, is how you open the gift.

Emily: Here are three lines for strange sentences.

Paul: Sorry, what does that mean?

Emily: I don’t know that expression. Could you explain it?

Paul: Is that an idiom?

Emily: Let’s try two more gifts. First, It’s on me.

Paul: It’s on me. It means, I will pay.

Emily: Yes. At a café, a friend says, Coffee is on me.

Paul: And the second is, I’m all ears.

Emily: I’m all ears. It means, I am ready to listen.

Paul: A friend says, I have news. You say, I’m all ears.

Emily: Now a small test. What does, It’s on me, mean? Take three seconds.

Emily: It means, I will pay. Very good.

Paul: One more gift. Let’s call it a day.

Emily: Let’s call it a day. It means, we stop working now.

Paul: A teacher says it at the end of a long class. Everyone is happy.

Emily: Remember, an idiom is not a mistake. It is a different way of speaking.

Paul: And every native speaker uses dozens of them, every single day. Now we move to paper. Signs, forms, and tickets.

Emily: Reading can be hard too, especially in a hurry.

Paul: And a form can look like a wall of words.

Emily: Then you can ask, Could you help me with this, please?

Paul: Or, Which part do you need? That is for the other person.

Emily: And for you it is, Sorry, which part? Which line?

Paul: Let’s try a short desk conversation. I am at the hotel desk.

Emily: Hello, I need to fill in this form, but I’m not sure about this line.

Paul: Of course. Which part, please?

Emily: This one. It says, Date of arrival.

Paul: That means the day you came here. Today, for example.

Emily: Oh, I see. Today, then. Thank you.

Paul: A form is only a list of small questions.

Emily: Here is one more place, the library. I would like a library card.

Paul: Of course. Please fill in this form, and show me a document with your address.

Emily: Sorry, what does document mean?

Paul: A document is an official paper, like a bill or a letter.

Emily: Oh, I see. I have a letter from my bank. Is that fine?

Paul: Yes, that is fine. Please sign here, and write today’s date.

Emily: Thank you. Sign here, and write the date. I understand.

Paul: Notice the pattern again. One word was hard, and one question solved it.

Emily: Signs can be difficult too, like Wet floor, Keep clear, or Staff only.

Paul: Do not worry about every sign. Take a photo, and ask someone later.

Emily: Or point at the sign and say, Sorry, what does this mean?

Paul: Pointing is perfect. It saves a lot of words.

Emily: One more use. Imagine a stranger asks you for the way.

Paul: Excuse me, how do I get to the library?

Emily: Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it more slowly?

Paul: How do I get to the library?

Emily: Oh, the library. Go straight, then turn left at the bank.

Paul: Thank you very much. That was clear.

Emily: Good. We have used nearly all our handrails now.

Paul: Now we need one more picture to remember them.

Emily: Think of an exit sign in a big building.

Paul: You do not look at it every day, but you know it is there.

Emily: And if something goes wrong, you know where to go.

Paul: Our phrases are the exit sign for your English day.

Emily: When the words run too fast, you know the way out.

Paul: Let’s practise with a doctor. This is serious, so we go slowly.

Emily: I am the doctor. Take this medicine twice a day, with food.

Paul: Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it more slowly?

Emily: Of course. Take this medicine. Two times a day. With food.

Paul: Sorry, with what kind of food? A big meal, or a snack?

Emily: A snack is enough, like bread or fruit.

Paul: So you mean, a small snack is fine?

Emily: Yes, exactly. A small snack is fine.

Paul: Thank you. Twice a day, with a small snack.

Emily: Do you see what Paul did? He asked, he checked, and he repeated.

Paul: I used only four small lines. And now the health plan is clear.

Emily: Another place is a neighbour who invites you to dinner.

Paul: Hi Emily, we are having dinner on Saturday. Can you come around seven?

Emily: Sorry, I didn’t catch the time. Do you mean seven, or eleven?

Paul: Seven. In the evening.

Emily: Oh, seven. Great. Thank you. I will be there.

Paul: Seven and eleven can sound the same, so this question is smart.

Emily: Yes. Do you mean A or B? It works with times and numbers.

Paul: Now let’s talk about the biggest mistake. It is not a bad accent.

Emily: It is not a small vocabulary either. It is pretending.

Paul: Pretending means you act like you understand, but you do not.

Emily: Like Paul at the post office, with his expensive yes.

Paul: I know, I know. I learned that lesson with seven pounds.

Emily: The good news is that people are usually very kind.

Paul: They like to repeat, to explain, and to help.

Emily: So you do not need perfect English. You need one calm question.

Paul: It’s okay to ask again.

Emily: Before the quiz, we need a little more real practice, because real life is busy.

Paul: Let’s visit four more places. First, a bus stop.

Emily: I am a stranger at the bus stop, and you want to know about the bus.

Paul: Excuse me, does the number twelve bus stop here?

Emily: It does, but today it stops at the next corner, because of the roadworks.

Paul: Sorry, I didn’t catch that. What does roadworks mean?

Emily: Roadworks are workers who repair the street. The road is closed.

Paul: Oh, I see. So you mean, the bus stops at the next corner?

Emily: Yes, exactly. Just walk to the corner, and wait there.

Paul: Thank you very much. That saved me a long walk.

Emily: Notice the small steps. Paul asked about one word, and then he checked.

Paul: Two lines, and the problem was gone.

Emily: Second place, a market stall. I sell fruit, and you want some apples.

Paul: Good morning. I would like some apples, please.

Emily: Of course. They are two pounds a kilo, or three pounds for a big bag.

Paul: Sorry, could you say it more slowly? Do you mean two pounds for a kilo, or three pounds for a bag?

Emily: Yes, exactly. Two pounds for one kilo. Three pounds for the big bag.

Paul: Then one kilo, please. Red ones.

Emily: Here you are. Two pounds, please.

Paul: Thank you. And here is the best part. I paid the right price.

Emily: And you did not pay seven pounds for a tiny yes.

Paul: Very funny, Emily. But very true.

Emily: Third place, a clothes shop. I work here, and you want to try a jacket.

Paul: Excuse me, can I try this jacket in a smaller size?

Emily: Of course. The fitting rooms are at the back, on the left, behind the shoes.

Paul: Sorry, which part? Behind the shoes, or behind the coats?

Emily: Behind the shoes. You will see a blue curtain.

Paul: Thank you. A blue curtain, behind the shoes. I understand.

Emily: Perfect. And please leave anything you do not want at the desk.

Paul: Sorry, could you say that more slowly? What do you mean, anything I do not want?

Emily: I mean the clothes that you do not buy. Just give them to me.

Paul: Oh, of course. Thank you for explaining.

Emily: Fourth place, a phone call from a delivery driver. I am the driver.

Paul: Hello, this is Paul.

Emily: Hello, I have a parcel for you, but nobody is home. I am at the back gate.

Paul: Sorry, the line is bad. Could you say that again?

Emily: I have a parcel. I am at the back gate. Can you open it?

Paul: Oh, the back gate. Hold on, I will come and open it now.

Emily: Thank you. I will wait here.

Paul: See? When the line is bad, say so. It is not your fault.

Emily: Good. Now let’s repeat all the handrails one more time, with a short pause.

Paul: I will say a line, and you say it after me.

Paul: Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Paul: Could you say that again, please?

Paul: Could you speak a little slower?

Paul: What does this word mean?

Paul: Could you give me an example?

Paul: So you mean the bus is late?

Paul: Do you mean A or B?

Paul: Hold on, let me write that down.

Emily: Wonderful. Eight handrails, and you said every one of them.

Paul: That is real progress. Your mouth now knows the shape of these lines.

Emily: The more you say them, the easier they become.

Paul: Say the lines in your own voice, not in ours.

Emily: Use your normal speed, and use your own accent. Both are welcome here.

Paul: Different accents are normal, so do not worry about sounding perfect.

Emily: Let’s also talk about three small mistakes to avoid.

Paul: Mistake one is to say Sorry again and again. One Sorry is enough.

Emily: Mistake two is to ask in a very quiet voice. Speak clearly, so they can hear you.

Paul: Mistake three is to wait too long. Ask quickly, before the conversation moves on.

Emily: A quick question is much easier than a late question.

Paul: For example, if someone says a long sentence, ask after the first part, not after five minutes.

Emily: Yes. Early questions are small. Late questions are big.

Emily: Before the quiz, let’s make a tiny plan for any difficult moment.

Paul: Step one is to breathe. Take one slow breath through the nose.

Emily: Step two is to choose one handrail. Only one, not three.

Paul: Step three is to say it calmly, and wait for the answer.

Emily: Breathe, choose, and say. That is the whole plan.

Paul: It sounds simple, and it is. Simple plans work under pressure.

Emily: Under pressure, your brain wants a short path, not a long road.

Paul: So we give it a short path. Breathe, choose, say.

Emily: Now it is quiz time. Four short situations, and you choose the best line.

Paul: Ready? Here is the first one. I say, Your flight leaves at nine fifteen, from gate fourteen.

Emily: You are not sure about the time. What do you say? Take three seconds.

Emily: One good answer is, Sorry, could you say the time again?

Paul: Another good answer is, So you mean nine fifteen?

Emily: Both are fine. Number two is a shop.

Paul: The shop assistant says, Do you have a loyalty card?

Emily: You do not know the words, loyalty card. What do you say?

Emily: A good answer is, Sorry, what does loyalty card mean?

Paul: Or, Sorry, which part? That is short and clear.

Emily: The assistant explains. It is a card for discounts.

Paul: Number three is the telephone again. You hear a very fast message.

Emily: I say, Call me back at five five five, nine eight, seven six.

Paul: What do you do now? Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, Hold on, let me write that down.

Emily: And then, Let me check. Five five five, nine eight, seven six.

Paul: Very good. You chose, you spoke, and you stayed calm.

Emily: Here is the fourth situation, for brave learners.

Paul: A friend says, Could you pass me the thing on the shelf?

Emily: You do not know which thing. Take three seconds.

Emily: You can say, Sorry, which one? Do you mean the blue one, or the red one?

Paul: That is the A or B tool again. It works almost everywhere.

Emily: Now it is time for a longer role play. I am a ticket seller.

Paul: And you are the customer. Your job is to use our handrails.

Emily: Hello. One return ticket to Oxford is twenty four pounds, and the train leaves at ten past nine.

Paul: Now it is your turn. Say you did not understand, and ask for a slower answer. Take three seconds.

Paul: Very good. For example, Sorry, could you say it more slowly?

Emily: Of course. One return ticket to Oxford. It is twenty four pounds. The train leaves at nine ten.

Paul: Now ask about the word return. Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, Sorry, what does return mean?

Emily: Return means you go there and come back.

Paul: Now check what you heard, with a mirror line. Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, So you mean, one ticket for both ways?

Emily: Yes, exactly. Do you want it for today?

Paul: Your turn again. Answer her question, and keep it short.

Paul: You can say, Yes, for today, please. That is a nice, short answer.

Emily: Great job, everyone. You were all brave in this role play.

Paul: Imagine you play it again tomorrow, with a new place.

Emily: It will be easier, because you already know the exit signs.

Emily: Let’s do one more role play, with a new place. This time it is a hotel desk.

Paul: Emily is the receptionist, and you are the guest. I will help you with each answer.

Emily: Good evening, and welcome to the Green Park Hotel. Do you have a booking?

Paul: You do not know the word booking. Ask about it. Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, Sorry, what does booking mean?

Emily: A booking is a reservation. It means you asked for a room before you came.

Paul: Good. Now say that you have one. Use a short answer.

Paul: You can say, Yes, I have a booking for two nights.

Emily: Wonderful. Your name, please?

Paul: Remember the spelling tools. Ask her to spell it, or write it down. Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, Could you spell that for me? Or, Hold on, let me write that down.

Emily: Of course. Your room number is four oh seven. That is four, zero, seven.

Paul: The room number was fast. Check it with a mirror line. Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, So you mean room four oh seven?

Emily: Yes, exactly. Breakfast is from seven to ten, in the room on the ground floor.

Paul: One more thing. You are not sure about the time. Ask for a repeat. Take three seconds.

Paul: You can say, Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you say it again, please?

Emily: Breakfast is from seven to ten. Enjoy your stay.

Paul: You did it. A full conversation at a hotel desk, with five small lines.

Emily: Notice how each line was easy. Together, they made a whole conversation.

Paul: Big English is only small English, one handrail at a time.

Emily: Let’s pause here and think about your own life.

Paul: Where do you often feel lost in English? A shop, a phone call, a form, or a party?

Emily: Choose one place. Just one. You will use it in your challenge today.

Paul: Now imagine that place clearly. Who is there, and what do they say?

Emily: Choose the handrail that fits best, and say it out loud right now.

Emily: Good. That was your private rehearsal. Nobody heard it, but your brain did.

Paul: A rehearsal is like a short practice before a football match.

Emily: You do not play the whole game yet. You only touch the ball a few times.

Paul: Before we finish, here is why this works.

Emily: Understanding English is a skill, and skills grow with practice.

Paul: Every conversation gives you new words, and every hard moment is a free lesson.

Emily: People speak in different ways, so some are fast and some are quiet.

Paul: Your handrails work with every one of them.

Emily: A polite question shows that you care about the conversation.

Paul: Tonight, practise alone. Choose one handrail, and say it five times.

Emily: Say it in the kitchen, in the car, or in the shower.

Paul: Slowly first, then a little faster, and always with a calm voice. Now let’s finish with something small for your real life.

Emily: Today, try to ask one real person to repeat one thing.

Paul: It can be a shop assistant, a neighbour, or a friend.

Emily: It can be very small. Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Paul: And watch their face. They will say it again, and nothing bad happens.

Emily: Remember our line. It’s okay to ask again.

Paul: It’s okay to ask again.

Emily: You can say it to yourself before you ask.

Paul: Then ask once. If you still do not understand, ask twice.

Emily: Ask the third time too, if you need it. That is not rude.

Paul: Today, we learned how to ask for a repeat, a slower voice, and a new word.

Emily: We learned to check meaning with a mirror, and to ask, Do you mean A or B.

Paul: And we practised on the phone, at the doctor, and in a shop.

Emily: Now, a question for you. What is the first thing you will say next time you do not understand?

Paul: Write your answer in the comments, in one short English sentence.

Emily: For example, I will say, Sorry, could you say it more slowly?

Paul: We read your comments, and we love your examples.

Emily: In our next episode, we talk about how to make small talk with neighbours.

Paul: If this episode helped you, please subscribe to English Practice Daily.

Emily: Thank you for listening and practising with us today.

Paul: And remember, you do not need perfect English. You need a few good questions.

Emily: See you next time. Bye.

Paul: Bye, everyone.