architamittra
Last updated:
A+ for Effort: 44 Daily Use English Sentences in School
I vividly remember my first day at school.
I’m sure you do, too!
I remember feeling scared, shy and tongue-tied (unable to speak). I wanted to make new friends and fit in, but I wasn’t sure what to say.
Plus, it was an English-language school and English wasn’t even my native language!
I didn’t know the right words and as a result, I wasn’t confident or sure of myself.
And if you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking for the right words, too.
This is where I’m here to help!
In this blog post, I’m going to teach you some simple daily-use English sentences to use at school, along with some essential English phrases and words. If you can memorize these, you’ll…
- Be able to say the right words at the right time
- Understand better how English grammar works
- Be able to create and speak your own sentences
- Get along with your friends and teachers
So whether you’re a young student, an English learner or even a teacher, this article is for you!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Daily Use English Sentences in School: Common Words and Phrases
Before we move onto the sentences, it’s important to learn (or if you know them already, review) some common school-related vocabulary.
These words are typically used in a school environment, and it’s best to know their meanings before studying the sentences.
It’s also important to note that some of these terms are more commonly used in British English than in American English. So if a certain word has (UK) or (US) next to it, that’s to tell you which culture uses it most!
Let’s jump into the vocabulary, shall we?
- Student or pupil (UK): When you study in a school, you’re a student or a pupil of that particular school.
- Classmates: The other students who study with you are your classmates. Together, all of you form a class.
- Classroom: The room—with desks, chairs and a blackboard—where you sit and receive the lesson is called a classroom.
- Teacher or professor: The person standing in front of the class teaching is called a teacher and in higher classes, a professor.
- Periods and subjects: A day in school is usually divided into several periods. In each period, you study a particular subject or topic like mathematics, English, art, science, history and so on. Certain subjects have short forms, too. For example, mathematics is commonly called “math” or “maths (UK),” biology is “bio,” chemistry is “chem” and so on.
- Lessons: The classes taught by teachers are often called lessons or lectures.
- Timetable or schedule: Every student has a timetable (UK) or a schedule (US) that says when the lessons are. This information may be in the classroom itself, on a chart or the student may have it written down in a planner or organizer.
- Textbooks: Each subject will have its own books that you read and study. These books are called textbooks.
- Exercise books (UK) or workbooks (US): You also have a number of blank copies where you take notes, write down important things and solve problems for practice. These are your exercise books or workbooks.
- Stationery: You also carry some stationery with you, which includes pens, pencils, erasers and sharpeners. That’s why the store you can buy these from is called a “stationery shop.”
- Break or recess: Halfway through a school day, there’s usually a break, recess and/or lunch period. At this time, the students get a break from their lessons and have their lunch or snacks while talking to their friends.
- Lunchbox or lunch kit: Sometimes, the students bring food in a lunchbox or a lunch kit and have it in the class. Or they may go to the school cafeteria and buy food from there. There may be places to sit in the cafeteria and some schools may even have a dining room or lunchroom.
- Other school rooms: A school building usually has a number of classrooms, offices and other rooms. For example, there may be music rooms, laboratories (or labs for short), a concert hall or an auditorium (for performances) and a gym (for physical exercise).
The teachers will have their own staffroom and there’s usually an open field area or the playground where the students can play. To go from one room to another, everyone has to walk through corridors (UK) or hallways (US). They also take the stairs, or sometimes there’s a lift (UK) or elevator (US) available instead!
- Washroom (UK) or restroom (US): When the students need to go to the bathroom, they usually ask for permission from the teacher if they can go to the washroom or the restroom. Among friends, the toilet is often called a loo in the United Kingdom.
Daily Use English Sentences in School: Resources to Improve Your Vocabulary and Speaking Skills
Now that you know which vocabulary is important to learn, it’s time to use a few resources to memorize them!
Here are some great places to learn vocabulary that you can use in school and anywhere else.
- English learning blogs. There are plenty of educational blogs by teachers and educators to help students with the difficult bits of the English language. Plus, they’re packed with useful information and lessons! Some of the best blogs to read are Espresso English, the FluentU English Language and Culture Blog, Espresso English, Real English Conversations and ESL Kids Stuff.
- Online courses and MOOCs. If you’re looking for something like an online classroom, you should check out MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) where you can access lessons and educational content online. Each MOOC is made by professionals or universities, so they make excellent courses. Some are free while others are paid and they usually come with certification. For beginners, Udemy’s “Complete English Course for Beginners” and Coursera’s “Improve Your English Communication Skills” are great places to start.
A+ for Effort: 44 Daily Use English Sentences in School
Phrases for Talking to Your Classmates
Talking to new people is always scary, especially if you aren’t confident as an English speaker.
However, these daily-use sentences will help you introduce yourself, ask for important information and even make new friends!
Below are some typical questions asked within a classroom, along with some ideas for responses. The phrases and words in bold can be reused in different situations. Try making your own sentences by using the phrases in bold: “My name is…”, “Can you help me with…” and so on!
Introducing Yourself and Meeting New People
When you’re talking to someone for the first time, it’s always a good idea to tell them your name and ask theirs. Maintaining a polite and friendly tone also makes you seem like a very nice person!
Hello. What’s your name?
My name is Reya. What’s yours?
Hello. I’m Sam. Would you like to be friends?
Sure, I’d love to!
Hey. Is anyone sitting here?
No, but you can sit here if you want.
Which grade (US)/class (UK) are you in?
I’m in ninth grade! What about you?
Do you want to be partners for the group project? I don’t have one yet.
Sure!
Class-related Topics, Questions and Phrases
Oftentimes, we have to ask the person sitting next to us for information. Use these phrases to ask and respond to them confidently!
What’s the homework for today?
We have to write an essay on “A Trip to the Haunted House.”
What do we have for first period?
Math.
Do you have the new timetable/schedule?
Yes! It’s in my bag. Do you need one?
I missed class yesterday. Can I look at your notes/What did we learn?
Sure! We learned about the second conditional in English.
What time do we have lunch?
At noon.
Phrases to Use When Asking for Help
We all need help from time to time. Whether you missed a class or can’t solve a certain problem, it’s always okay to ask your friends and classmates for aid.
Can you help me with the geography homework?
Sure. This is how you do it.
How did you get that answer?
We have to apply the Pythagoras Theorem here.
Can you tell me what we learned in English class yesterday?
Nothing much. The teacher began this new poem called “The Lady of Shallot” and we took turns reading it out loud.
Excuse me, I think I’m lost. Where’s the math classroom?
It’s Room #201!
Phrases for Lunchtime Conversations
During a break, the students usually have their lunch and interact with their classmates. These are some typical conversations that can happen.
Did you bring your lunch?
Yes. My mother packed some pancakes she made this morning.
What did you have at lunch today?
I had two pieces of toast and an apple. What did you eat?
Will you sit with me during break?
Yes, sure!
What do you think of the school’s cafeteria food?
I don’t like it much. The sandwiches barely have any flavor!
I forgot my lunch. Can you share with me?
Yes, of course.
Phrases for Making Small Talk
You can’t make new friends if you don’t talk to the people in your class!
Asking about simple topics and sharing one’s likes and dislikes are good ways to find things in common and continue the conversation. As you gradually get to know the other person, you become friends. This type of conversation is called “small talk.”
How do you come to school?
I come by the school bus. What about you?
I find history very difficult.
Me too. I can’t remember so many dates!
What’s your favorite subject?
Mine is English. You?
Have you read this book?
Yes, I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed it.
Did you watch the new movie?
Oh, the last Star Wars one? I did, but I didn’t enjoy it much.
Phrases for Talking to Your Teachers
In most schools, the students usually address the teacher as “Sir” or “Ma’am,” depending on the gender. You might also refer to the teacher by their last name, like “Mr. Smith” or “Mrs. Smith.”
Here are some useful phrases to keep in mind while talking to them!
Phrases to Use While Entering and Leaving the Class
- Ma’am, may I come in?
- May I go to the washroom/restroom?
- Sir, I’m feeling very ill. May I please go to the sickroom/nurse’s office?
Are you wondering why we’re using “may” instead of “can” here?
The answer is simple: “Can” usually refers to the ability or the skill of doing something, such as “I can draw” or “she can speak English.”
But “may” refers to permission, such as if you’re allowed to do a certain activity or not.
When you’re talking to a teacher, you’re not asking whether you have the ability to do something, but rather for permission to do it.
Let’s take the first example.
Sometimes, the teachers may not allow you to enter the class if you’re late. So when you say “may I come in?” you’re asking if you have the teacher’s permission to enter the class.
Phrases to Use When Asking the Teacher Questions
If you’re confused during a lesson, you usually raise your hand and ask the teacher your question.
But if you need a specific answer to something (such as the date of an exam) which isn’t directly related to the lesson, it’s best to not interrupt the class. Instead, you ask the teacher after the lesson ends.
Can you please explain/repeat the last point?
Of course.
Ma’am, when is the exam?
You’ll have the first test on May 2nd.
I’m having trouble with this problem/assignment. Can you help me?
Okay. Which part?
Phrases Teachers Say in Class
These are some statements and questions that are commonly said by teachers in a classroom.
- Have you all done your homework?
- Why are you late again?
- Stop talking in class and pay attention!
- Are there any questions?
- It’s time for attendance…
- Is there anyone in class without a textbook?
- Can someone come to the board and solve this equation?
- Switch on/off the lights.
Phrases Teachers Use to Check for the Students’ Understanding
While teaching a lesson, the teacher might pause from time to time to ask if the students understand the lesson.
- Are there any questions?
- Did you understand what I said?
- Should I repeat the last point?
- So, was the meaning clear to all?
- Feel free to stop and ask me any questions or to repeat anything.
You usually respond with a “yes” or “no” to these questions and then explain what the problem is.
The only way to get better is to practice, so try saying these sentences out loud in front of a mirror. Make an effort to apply what you’ve learned when you go to school and interact (talk) with your friends and teachers.
In the beginning, you’ll make mistakes but that’s a necessary part of learning. Keep at it and you’ll become a confident English speaker in no time!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
