ESL100 · English for Arabic Speakers

1. Hello & introductions

التحية والتعارف

Goal: Introduce yourself, spell your name and use am, is and are.

عرّف بنفسك وتهجَّ اسمك واستخدم فعل be في المضارع.

Grammar

Use I am, you/we/they are, and he/she/it is. English needs the verb: I am a teacher. For questions, move it first: Are you a student?

في العربية قد نقول «أنا مدرس» دون فعل ظاهر. في الإنجليزية نحتاج am: I am a teacher. نقول أيضًا She is a student وThey are friends. للسؤال: Are you a student? وللنفي: I am not a student.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

P /p/ and B /b/: close both lips. For p, release a small puff of air without voicing; for b, use your voice. Compare pat/bat and cap/cab.

أغلق الشفتين في الصوتين. في p أطلق هواءً دون اهتزاز الصوت؛ في b استخدم صوتك. لا تستبدل p دائمًا بحرف ب.

Common error

I teacher. → I am a teacher.

الجملة تحتاج am وأداة a قبل المهنة المفردة.

Use it

Write four sentences about yourself. Say them without reading. Ask a partner their name, country and role.

اكتب أربع جمل عن نفسك ثم قلها دون قراءة. اسأل زميلًا عن اسمه وبلده ودوره.

Quick check

1. I ___ a student.
   am / is / are
2. She ___ from Egypt.
   am / is / are
3. Choose the correct question.
   You are student? / Are you a student? / Is you a student?
4. Which phrase asks someone to spell their name?
   How old are you? / Where are you from? / How do you spell your name?

2. Numbers, family & people

الأعداد والأسرة والأشخاص

Goal: Share contact details, describe family and use a/an and plurals.

قدّم معلومات الاتصال وتحدث عن الأسرة واستخدم a/an والجمع.

Grammar

Use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound: a brother, an aunt. Usually add -s for plurals; person becomes people. Use my, your, his and her before nouns.

اختيار a أو an يعتمد على الصوت، لا على شكل الحرف فقط: a university وan hour. الجمع غالبًا بإضافة s، لكن person تصبح people. نقول my sister دون the قبل my. نقول He is 20 years old وليس He has 20 years.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

V /v/ and F /f/: place your upper teeth lightly on your lower lip. For f, blow air; for v, add voice. Compare fan/van and fine/vine.

ضع الأسنان العلوية برفق على الشفة السفلى. f هواء فقط، أما v ففيه اهتزاز صوتي. تدرّب على fan وvan.

Common error

She has twenty years. → She is twenty years old.

نستخدم be للتعبير عن العمر.

Use it

Draw a simple family tree using invented names if you prefer. Describe three people and read an invented phone number clearly.

ارسم شجرة أسرة بسيطة بأسماء خيالية إن رغبت. صف ثلاثة أشخاص واقرأ رقم هاتف خياليًا.

Quick check

1. Choose the correct phrase.
   a aunt / an aunt / an brother
2. The plural of person is ___.
   persons only / peoples / people
3. ___ name is Sara. (Sara is a woman.)
   Her / His / He
4. Choose the correct sentence.
   He has 21 years. / He is 21 years old. / He are 21.

3. Daily life & time

الحياة اليومية والوقت

Goal: Describe routines and ask present-simple questions.

صف روتينك اليومي واسأل بالمضارع البسيط.

Grammar

Use the base verb with I/you/we/they and usually add -s with he/she/it: I work; she works. Use do/does for questions and don't/doesn't for negatives. After does, use the base verb.

نقول She works، لكن في السؤال Does she work? دون s بعد does. وللنفي She doesn't work. استخدم at مع الساعة: at seven، وon مع اليوم: on Monday. كلمة usually تعني عادةً.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

Short /ɪ/ in sit and longer /iː/ in seat: listen to both vowel quality and length. Keep each word as one syllable.

قارن الحركة في sit مع seat؛ الاختلاف في نوع الحركة ومدتها معًا. لا تضف مقطعًا إلى الكلمة.

Common error

Does she works here? → Does she work here?

بعد does نستخدم أصل الفعل دون s.

Use it

Make a daily timetable with five times. Tell a partner about your routine and ask two questions about theirs.

اكتب جدولًا يوميًا بخمسة أوقات. تحدث عن يومك واسأل زميلًا سؤالين.

Quick check

1. She ___ English every day.
   study / studies / studying
2. Does he ___ here?
   works / working / work
3. I start work ___ nine.
   at / on / in
4. Choose the negative sentence.
   He don't work. / He doesn't work. / He doesn't works.

4. Home, places & directions

المنزل والأماكن والاتجاهات

Goal: Describe places and give simple directions.

صف الأماكن وقدّم اتجاهات بسيطة.

Grammar

Use there is with a singular noun and there are with plural nouns. Use in, on, under, next to and opposite to describe location. Give directions with the base verb: Turn left. Go straight.

There is a bank تعني يوجد بنك. There are two banks تعني يوجد بنكان. لا نحتاج is في أمر مثل Turn left. صف الموقع بحروف الجر: in في، on على، next to بجوار، opposite مقابل.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

English allows groups of consonants. In school and street, begin with the consonants together. Try not to add a vowel before s.

تبدأ school وstreet بمجموعة حروف ساكنة. حاول عدم إضافة حركة قبل s. قل الكلمة ببطء ثم بسرعة طبيعية.

Common error

There is two rooms. → There are two rooms.

استخدم are مع الجمع.

Use it

Sketch an imaginary neighborhood. Label six places and give directions from the bank to the library.

ارسم حيًا خياليًا وسمِّ ستة أماكن. أعطِ تعليمات للوصول من البنك إلى المكتبة.

Quick check

1. There ___ two bedrooms.
   is / are / am
2. Choose an instruction.
   Turning left. / You left. / Turn left.
3. The opposite of left is ___.
   right / straight / under
4. The keys are ___ the table. (They rest on its top.)
   under / on / opposite

5. Food, shopping & polite requests

الطعام والتسوق والطلبات المهذبة

Goal: Order food, ask prices and distinguish countable and uncountable nouns.

اطلب الطعام واسأل عن السعر وميّز الأسماء المعدودة وغير المعدودة.

Grammar

Use a/an with singular countable nouns: an apple. Use some with plural or uncountable nouns: some apples, some water. Use how much for price or an uncountable quantity; how many for countable items. I'd like is a polite request.

water وrice عادةً غير معدودين: some water أو a bottle of water، وليس a water في التمرين الأساسي. للسعر: How much is it? ولعدد التفاح: How many apples? عبارة I'd like تعني أودّ.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

The vowel /æ/ in cat: open your mouth and keep your tongue toward the front. Compare cat/cut and bad/bed; copy the model voice.

لصوت cat افتح فمك واجعل اللسان نحو الأمام. قارن cat وcut وكذلك bad وbed. استمع إلى النموذج ثم كرر.

Common error

How many water do you want? → How much water do you want?

استخدم much مع water لأنه غير معدود هنا.

Use it

Create a short café menu. Order two items, check one ingredient and ask for the total price.

صمّم قائمة مقهى قصيرة. اطلب صنفين واسأل عن مكوّن واحد وعن السعر الإجمالي.

Quick check

1. I'd like ___ apple.
   a / an / some
2. How ___ apples do you need?
   much / is / many
3. How ___ is this bread?
   much / many / are
4. Choose the polite request.
   I'd like some water, please. / I water. / Give water now.

6. Study, work & communication

الدراسة والعمل والتواصل

Goal: Describe abilities, understand instructions and write a short email.

صف قدراتك وافهم التعليمات واكتب بريدًا قصيرًا.

Grammar

Use can/can't + base verb: I can speak English. Use please in requests. A simple email has a greeting, purpose, a clear request and a closing. Say I agree, without am.

بعد can لا نضيف to أو s: She can speak English. كلمة agree فعل: I agree، وليس I am agree. في البريد ابدأ بـ Dear أو Hello، ثم اكتب الغرض والطلب، واختم بـ Kind regards واسمك.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

Word stress: one syllable is stronger. Listen to TEAcher, STUdent and comPUter. Do not give every syllable equal force.

في الإنجليزية مقطع أقوى من غيره: TEAcher وSTUdent وcomPUter. لا تنطق كل المقاطع بالقوة نفسها.

Common error

I am agree. → I agree.

agree فعل، فلا نستخدم am قبله في هذه الجملة.

Use it

Write a five-line email asking a teacher to explain an assignment. Read it aloud, then practice asking for clarification.

اكتب بريدًا من خمسة أسطر تطلب فيه شرح واجب. اقرأه ثم تدرّب على طلب التوضيح.

Quick check

1. She can ___ English.
   speaks / to speak / speak
2. Choose the correct sentence.
   I am agree. / I agree. / I agreeing.
3. Which request is clearest?
   Could you explain the assignment, please? / Assignment what. / You explain.
4. A deadline is ___.
   an email greeting / the latest time to finish something / a computer

7. Appointments & asking for help

المواعيد وطلب المساعدة

Goal: Arrange an appointment and communicate a simple problem.

حدّد موعدًا وعبّر عن مشكلة بسيطة.

Grammar

Use have to describe a problem: I have a headache. Use need + noun or need to + verb: I need help; I need to change my appointment. Use can/could to ask for help. These are language exercises, not health advice.

نقول I have a headache لوصف صداع، وI need help لطلب مساعدة. بعد need مع فعل نستخدم to: I need to change my appointment. العبارة I don't understand مهمة؛ اطلب إعادة الشرح ببطء.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

TH has two common sounds. For think, place your tongue lightly between your teeth and blow air without voice. For this, use the same position and add voice.

في think ضع طرف اللسان برفق بين الأسنان وأخرج الهواء دون صوت. في this استخدم الوضع نفسه مع اهتزاز الصوت. الصوتان مختلفان رغم كتابة th في كليهما.

Common error

I need change my appointment. → I need to change my appointment.

نستخدم need to قبل الفعل.

Use it

Role-play an appointment call. Give an invented name, request a day and time and repeat the details to confirm.

مثّل مكالمة لحجز موعد. استخدم اسمًا خياليًا واطلب يومًا ووقتًا وكرر التفاصيل للتأكد.

Quick check

1. I need ___ change my appointment.
   to / for / of
2. Choose the clear request.
   Slow you. / Could you speak slowly, please? / You slowly speaking.
3. Two in the afternoon is ___.
   2 a.m. / 12 p.m. / 2 p.m.
4. Choose the correct sentence.
   I have a headache. / I am headache. / I headache have.

8. Travel, past events & next steps

السفر والأحداث الماضية والخطوات التالية

Goal: Use basic past and future forms and complete an everyday conversation.

استخدم الماضي وصيغًا بسيطة للمستقبل وأكمل محادثة يومية.

Grammar

Use was/were for past be: I was tired; we were at home. Regular past verbs often end in -ed; go becomes went. Use did + base verb in questions: Did you visit? Use am/is/are going to + base verb for a plan.

الماضي: I was وYou/We/They were. نقول I visited وI went. في السؤال Did you visit? نعود لأصل الفعل بعد did. للخطة: I am going to study. تعلّم التصريف مع مثال، ولا تعتمد على الترجمة كلمة بكلمة.

Vocabulary

Examples

Dialogue

Pronunciation

In connected speech, small words may be unstressed. Listen to I am going to the station. Practice clear phrases rather than copying every word at the same volume.

في الكلام المتصل بعض الكلمات الصغيرة تُنطق دون نبر قوي. تدرّب على الجملة كوحدة مع وضوح المعنى، ولا تجعل كل كلمة بالقوة نفسها.

Common error

Did you went yesterday? → Did you go yesterday?

بعد did نستخدم أصل الفعل go.

Use it

Final project: introduce yourself, describe your routine, ask for directions, make a polite request and describe one past event and one future plan. Aim for a two-minute recording and a six-sentence written paragraph.

المشروع النهائي: عرّف بنفسك وصف يومك واطلب اتجاهات وقدّم طلبًا مهذبًا وتحدث عن حدث ماضٍ وخطة مستقبلية. سجّل نحو دقيقتين واكتب فقرة من ست جمل.

Quick check

1. Yesterday, I ___ to the library.
   go / went / going
2. Did you ___ the museum?
   visited / visits / visit
3. We ___ at home yesterday.
   were / was / are
4. I ___ going to study tomorrow.
   is / am / are

Final assessment

1. My name ___ Ali.
   am / is / are
2. I am ___ teacher.
   a / an / the my
3. She ___ two brothers.
   have / having / has
4. Does he ___ English?
   studies / study / studying
5. We meet ___ Monday.
   on / at / to
6. There ___ three chairs.
   is / am / are
7. How ___ water do you need?
   many / much / often
8. I can ___ the email today.
   send / sends / to send
9. Choose the correct sentence.
   I am agree. / I agrees. / I agree.
10. Could you ___ that, please?
    repeating / repeat / repeats
11. Did you ___ to work yesterday?
    go / went / going
12. She ___ going to visit tomorrow.
    am / are / is

Final project rubric

Use the Module 8 task. With a teacher or partner, review task completion, clarity, basic grammar and vocabulary (0–5 each). A self-study quiz score alone is not a proficiency rating.

Answer key

Module 1

1. am. Use am with I.
2. is. Use is with she.
3. Are you a student?. Use Are you + a singular role.
4. How do you spell your name?. Spell means say or write the letters in order.

Module 2

1. an aunt. Aunt begins with a vowel sound.
2. people. People is the usual plural when referring to individuals.
3. Her. Her is a possessive adjective.
4. He is 21 years old.. Use is to give his age.

Module 3

1. studies. Use studies with she.
2. work. Use the base verb after does.
3. at. Use at with a clock time.
4. He doesn't work.. Use doesn't + base verb.

Module 4

1. are. Use are with a plural noun.
2. Turn left.. An imperative starts with the base verb.
3. right. Right is the other side.
4. on. On describes contact with the top surface.

Module 5

1. an. Use an before the vowel sound in apple.
2. many. Use many for countable plural nouns.
3. much. How much asks the price.
4. I'd like some water, please.. I'd like…please is a polite request.

Module 6

1. speak. Use the base verb after can.
2. I agree.. Agree is a verb.
3. Could you explain the assignment, please?. A complete polite request gives the listener the purpose.
4. the latest time to finish something. A deadline is the final due time or date.

Module 7

1. to. Use need to + base verb.
2. Could you speak slowly, please?. Could you…please is a polite request.
3. 2 p.m.. Afternoon times use p.m.
4. I have a headache.. Use have + a headache.

Module 8

1. went. Went is the past of go.
2. visit. Use the base verb after did.
3. were. Use were with we for past time.
4. am. Use am with I.

Final assessment

1. is. Use is with my name.
2. a. Use a before the consonant sound in teacher.
3. has. Use has with she.
4. study. Does is followed by the base verb.
5. on. Use on with a day.
6. are. Use are with plural nouns.
7. much. Water is uncountable here.
8. send. Use the base verb after can.
9. I agree.. Agree is a verb.
10. repeat. Use the base verb after could.
11. go. Use the base verb after did.
12. is. Use is with she.

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Watch, notice, speak

Free supporting videos from VOA Learning English. Watch a short section, notice two useful expressions, then use them in your own conversation. Later VOA lessons may contain language beyond ESL100; focus on the suggested task.

1. Module 1: Welcome!

   Listen for names and greetings. Pause and introduce yourself using the same pattern.

2. Module 2: Meet My Family

   Listen for three family words. Then describe two people in an imaginary family.

3. Module 3: She Always Does That

   Listen for routine verbs. Write two things you do every day.

4. Module 4: Where Is the Gym?

   Listen for place words. Draw a simple map and give one direction.

5. Module 5: What Do You Want?

   Listen for food words. Make your own short, polite order.

6. Module 6: What Can You Do?

   Listen for can. Say two things you can do and one thing you want to learn.

7. Module 7: How Can I Help?

   This later lesson is optional extra practice. Listen only for a useful offer of help; skip unfamiliar language.

8. Module 8: Yesterday Was Amazing!

   Listen for past-time words. Say one thing you did yesterday.

Source: VOA Learning English, credited under its public-domain content policy. External third-party materials retain their own rights.