Classroom Language: Classroom management

Here are some phrases that can be used for classroom management:

Organization

Giving instructions

  • Open your books at page 52
  • Come out and write it on the board
  • Listen to the tape, please
  • Get into groups of four
  • Finish off this song at home
  • Let's sing a song.
  • Everybody, please.
  • All together now.
  • The whole class, please.
  • I want you all to join in
  • Could you try the next one?
  • I would like you to write this down.
  • Would you mind switching the lights on?
  • It might be an idea to leave this till next time.
  • Who would like to read?
  • Which topic will your group report on?
  • Do you want to answer question 3?

Sequencing

  • First of all, today, ...
  • Right. Now we will go on to the next exercise.
  • Have you finished?
  • For the last thing today, let's ...
  • Whose turn is it to read?
  • Which question are you on?
  • Next one, please.
  • Who hasn't answered yet?
  • Let me explain what I want you to do next.
  • The idea of this exercise is for you to ...
  • You have ten minutes to do this.
  • Your time is up.
  • Finish this by twenty to eleven.
  • Can you all see the board?
  • Have you found the place?
  • Are you all ready?
Supervision
  • Look this way.
  • Stop talking.
  • Listen to what ... is saying.
  • Leave that alone now.
  • Be careful.
Interrogation
Asking questions
  • Where's Min-su?
  • Is Min-su in the kitchen?
  • Tell me where Min-su is.
  • What was the house like?
  • What do you think?
  • How can you tell?

Responding to questions

  • Yes, that's right
  • Fine.
  • Almost. Try again.
  • What about this word?
Explanation

Metalanguage

  • What's the Korean for "doll"?
  • Explain it in your own words.
  • It's spelt with a capital "J".
  • Can anybody correct this sentence?
  • Fill in the missing words.
  • Mark the right alternative.

Reference

  • After they left the USA, the Beatles ...
  • The church was started in the last century.
  • This is a picture of a typically English castle.
  • In the background you can see ...
  • While we're on the subject, ...
  • As I said earlier, ...
  • Let me sum up.
Interaction

Affective attitudes

  • That's interesting!
  • That really is very kind of you.
  • Don't worry about it.
  • I was a bit disappointed with your efforts.

Social ritual

  • Good morning.
  • Cheerio now.
  • God bless!
  • Have a nice weekend.
  • Thanks for your help
  • Happy birthday!
  • Merry Christmas!

This page was updated on February 18, 2009.