English Language Basics

1. Numbers: Key Points to Remember

Numbers in English are essential for counting, telling time, dates, prices, and more. Mastering them is fundamental for everyday communication.

a) Basic Number Words

• From 21 to 99, numbers are formed by combining tens and units with a hyphen: twenty-one, thirty-five, ninety-nine.
• Hundreds and thousands follow the pattern: one hundred, two hundred, one thousand.

b) Practice Tips

• Regularly practice reading and writing numbers aloud.
• Use numbers in context: dates (e.g., July 4th), prices ($20), and phone numbers.
• Remember the spelling exceptions: eleven, twelve, twenty, thirty.

To remember: Numbers from 21 to 99 are hyphenated between tens and units (e.g., twenty-one).

1. Introducing Yourself

To introduce yourself in English, use simple and clear phrases:

• Say your name:
  "My name is [Your Name]."
  or
  "I am [Your Name]."

• Mention where you are from:
  "I am from [Country/City]."

• Talk about your age (optional):
  "I am [age] years old."

• Share your occupation or role:
  "I am a student." / "I work as a [job]."

2. Common Greetings

Greetings are essential to start a conversation politely. Use these depending on the time of day:

3. Polite Expressions for Greetings

• How are you? — A common way to ask about someone's well-being.
  Typical answers:

  • "I'm fine, thank you."
  • "I'm good, and you?"

• Nice to meet you. — Used when meeting someone for the first time.
  Response:

  • "Nice to meet you too."

4. Key Points to Remember

• Always start with a greeting before introducing yourself.
• Use polite expressions to show respect and friendliness.
• Keep introductions simple and clear for easy understanding.

> To introduce yourself, say your name, where you are from, and use polite greetings like "Hello" or "Good morning."

1. Articles in English

Articles are words placed before nouns to define their specificity or quantity. There are three types:

2. Rules for Using Articles

• "a" is used before words starting with a consonant sound (e.g., a cat, a university).
• "an" is used before words starting with a vowel sound (e.g., an hour, an orange).
• Use "the" when the noun is unique, specific, or previously mentioned.
• No article is used with plural or uncountable nouns when speaking generally (e.g., I like apples, She drinks water).

3. Summary Table

> Remember: Use a/an for introducing something new and the for something already known or unique.

1. Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable nouns refer to things that can be counted as individual units. They have both singular and plural forms.

• Example: one apple, two apples

Uncountable nouns refer to substances or concepts that cannot be divided into separate elements or counted individually. They usually do not have a plural form.

• Example: water, information

2. Quantifiers for Countable and Uncountable Nouns

To remember: Use many and a few with countable nouns; use much and a little with uncountable nouns.

1. How to Say Time

• Use o’clock for exact hours: It’s 3 o’clock.
• Use past for minutes after the hour (up to 30): It’s 10 past 4.
• Use to for minutes before the hour (after 30): It’s 20 to 6.
• For quarter hours: quarter past (15 minutes after), quarter to (15 minutes before).
• For half hours: half past (30 minutes after).

Remember: Use “past” for minutes 1–30 and “to” for minutes 31–59.

2. Reminder Time

• Use in the morning/afternoon/evening to specify parts of the day.
• Use at night for nighttime.
• Use AM (ante meridiem) for times before noon, PM (post meridiem) for times after noon.
• Use ago to talk about past time: I arrived two hours ago.
• Use in to talk about future time: I will leave in 10 minutes.

3. Human Body Vocabulary

• Common expressions:
  • Headache = pain in the head
  • Cold feet = feeling nervous
  • Keep an eye on = watch carefully

4. Sketch Sales

• Use sketch to mean a quick, rough drawing or plan.
• In sales, a sketch can be used to present an idea or product visually before finalizing.
• Helps clients understand concepts quickly and facilitates feedback.

Tip: Always prepare a clear and simple sketch to communicate your sales ideas effectively.

1. Steps to Sell

Selling involves a clear process to guide the customer from greeting to purchase. The main steps are:

1. Welcoming the customer: Greet warmly to create a positive first impression.
2. Settling the customer: Make the customer comfortable and attentive.
3. Presenting the product: Use clear, persuasive language to explain features and benefits.
4. Handling objections: Listen and respond to concerns confidently.
5. Closing the sale: Encourage the customer to make a decision.
6. After-sales service: Ensure satisfaction and encourage future business.

2. Welcoming and Settling the Customer

A good welcome sets the tone for the interaction. Key phrases include:

• Welcoming: "Hello! How can I help you today?" or "Welcome! Feel free to ask if you need any assistance."
• Settling: "Please take your time to look around," or "Let me know if you want to see anything specific."

The goal is to make the customer feel comfortable and valued.

3. Sales Pitches

A sales pitch is a concise, persuasive presentation designed to convince the customer to buy. It should:

• Highlight the main benefits of the product.
• Address the customer’s needs.
• Use positive, confident language.
• Include a call to action, e.g., "Would you like to try it?" or "Can I help you with that purchase?"

> To sell effectively, combine a warm welcome with a clear, customer-focused pitch.

1. Sales Sketches: Purpose and Examples

Sales sketches are short role-plays designed to practice selling skills in realistic scenarios. They help develop communication, persuasion, and product knowledge by simulating customer interactions.

a) Common Sketch Scenarios

• Customer seeking relief from chronic lower back pain.
• Customer experiencing tension in neck and shoulders after long desk hours.
• Customer recovering from a sports injury (e.g., pulled hamstring, shoulder strain).

These scenarios focus on understanding customer needs and tailoring the sales approach accordingly.

2. Improvisation in Sales

Improvisation exercises require you to spontaneously sell a product or tool based on a given situation. This builds adaptability and quick thinking, essential for real-life sales.

a) Key points for improv sales:

• Understand the tool’s features and benefits quickly.
• Identify the customer’s needs from the situation.
• Deliver a clear, persuasive pitch on the spot.

> To succeed in sales sketches and improvisation, focus on listening to customer needs and adapting your message clearly and confidently.

1. Essential Beauty and Skincare Vocabulary

Understanding key terms is crucial for discussing skincare routines and products effectively.

To retain healthy skin, it is essential to moisturize regularly and choose products suited to your skin type.