Video A : Introduction to Conversation Introduction to asking for information (singular)

Hello and welcome

to your MES eLesson.
I'm Virginia.

Today you’re going

to learn the what and
the how of asking for information.

Let’s start with “WHAT.”

What are these

questions used for?

They are used to ask

for information.
To ask about general information,
you can ask,
for example:

“What’s this?”

The question word

“what” is used to ask
about information.

Good. Now, let’s learn “HOW.” How do you use these questions?

You need to study

your vocabulary and memorize this set of commonly used
questions. Native
speakers use “what”
to ask for information.

Also, be sure to practice

the contraction
of “what is”: “what’s.”

When you want to know information about

something close to the speaker,
you can ask:

What’s this?

When you want to

know information about something farther
away from the speaker,
you can ask:

What’s that?

Remember that
identifiers like “this”
and “that” are often accompanied
by gestures.

You can ask a more

detailed question by a
dding a noun,
for example:

size

If you want to know information about a size nearby, you can ask,
for example,

What size is this?

To be more specific,
you can add a noun,
like “shirt,” to the
indicator, for example:

What size is this shirt?

Or you can ask about something specific by replacing the indicator.

Let’s use the noun

“Seoul.”
The original question
using the indicator is:

“What’s this?”

Now, let’s practice the indicator with “Seoul:”

“What’s Seoul?”

Keep in mind that native speakers ask for

information
in a polite way –
your facial expression
is very important.
Watch me – for example,

“What’s this?”
“What restaurant is that?”
“What flavor is that ice cream?”

Let’s try saying those

three questions together! Please repeat after me:

“What’s this?”
-
-
Great job! Remember to think about your facial expression!

Let’s do another. Please repeat after me:

“What restaurant is that?”

-
-
Good! Remember to follow my intonation!

Let’s do one more! Please repeat after me:

“What flavor is that ice cream?”

-
-
Excellent!

We’ll practice these

examples and more
in Video B.

<Quick Review>

Now, let’s review!

First, what are these questions used for?

They are used to ask

for information.

Second, how do you

use these questions?
You use them by
knowing the
different phrases and
the
vocabulary.

Well done! Let’s move

on to Video B to really practice making
your own questions!

Remember to
keep on reviewing
your vocabulary.
I’m Virginia! See you next time!

Video B : Practicing asking for information (singular)

Hi and welcome back to your MES eLesson. I’m Virginia.

Now that you understand the concept of asking for information, let’s practice.

Please listen to the question first, then repeat after me.

What’s this?
-
-
Great! Now ask me:
-
-
Good! Let’s work on your speed! Please repeat. What’s this?
-
-
Excellent! That’s the speed you should use in order to speak English fluently!

Let’s continue! Please repeat after me:

What book is this?

-
-
Good! Now ask me:
-
-
Please repeat. What book is this?
-
-
Excellent.

Let’s practice another question. Please repeat after me.

What style is this?

-
-
Great! Now ask me:
-
-
Please repeat. What style is this?
-
-
Good!

Please repeat after me.

What brand is this jacket?

-
-
Great! Now ask me:
-
-
Please repeat. What brand is this jacket?
-
-
Good!

Great, now let’s practice asking about things that are farther away! Please repeat after me:

What’s that?
-
-
Good job! Now ask me:
-
-
Please repeat. What’s that?
-
-
Good!

Please repeat after me.

What flavor is that?

-
-
Nice! Now ask me:
-
-
Good! Please repeat. What flavor is that?
-
-
Excellent!

Please repeat:

What hotel is that?

-
-
Nice! Now ask me.
-
-
Good! Please repeat. What hotel is that?
-
-
Excellent!

Please repeat:
What size is that dress?
-
-
Nice! Now ask me.
-
-
Good! Please repeat. What size is that dress?
-
-
Great!

Please repeat:
What designer is that purse?
-
-
Nice! Now ask me.
-
-
Good! Please repeat. What designer is that purse?
-
-
Excellent!

Please repeat after me:

What’s Venice?
-
-
Great! Now ask me:
-
-
Please repeat. What’s Venice?
-
-
Good!

Let’s practice one more question. Please repeat after me:

What’s a diamond?
-
-
Great! Now ask me:
-
-
Please repeat. What’s a diamond?
-
-
Well done!

Please practice with this video until you are able to ask questions fluently!
Remember it’s important to practice this video as much as possible until you feel comfortable!