Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Study / Exchange

In the Classroom (Abroad)

Your goal: participate, ask the teacher, and work in groups in an English-medium class.

1

Survival Phrases

Participating

  • Could I just add to that?
  • I'm not sure I followed — could you go over it again?
  • Could you give an example?

Asking the teacher

  • Does this count towards the final grade?
  • When is the assignment due?
  • Is there a word limit?

Group work

  • Could we split the tasks — who does what?
  • Shall we set a deadline for the draft?
  • Can someone share notes if I miss a class?

Following instructions

  • Could you put that on the slide?
  • Which chapter is this?
  • Is this in the exam?
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Teacher: …and that's why the present perfect is used for unfinished time. Questions?

Marina: Could you give an example?

Teacher: Sure. 'I've lived here for five years' — I moved here and I still live here.

Marina: Ah, so it links past and present.

Teacher: Exactly. The assignment: pick three verbs, write examples with 'for' and 'since', due Friday.

Marina: Word limit?

Teacher: About 300. And it counts for 10% of the final grade.

Marina: Got it. One more — if someone misses a class, can we share notes?

Teacher: Of course — that's encouraged. Form a study group, share a folder.

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationMore formalMore informal / natural
Joining inCould I just add to that?Can I add something?
ClarifyingI'm not sure I followed — could you go over it again?Sorry, lost me — say again?
Asking about gradesDoes this count towards the final grade?Does this count?
Group organisingCould we split the tasks and set a draft deadline?Who does what, and when's the draft?
At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.
4

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

  • I have a doubt. → Could you give an example? / I have a question. ((doubt ≠ pergunta))
  • Could you repeat the slide? → Could you put that on the slide? ((put up/display))
  • It counts for the final note. → It counts towards the final grade. ((grade, não note))
  • When finish the assignment? → When is the assignment due? ((due))
  • I didn't understand nothing. → I didn't understand that. / I didn't catch that. ((no double neg))
  • I will do the assignment. → I'll work on the assignment. ((work on é mais natural))
5

Culture Note

  • Participating is often part of the grade abroad — silence can read as 'didn't prepare', not politeness.
  • Asking 'does this count?' is normal, not cheeky — it helps you prioritise workload.
  • Group work and shared notes are expected; forming a study group is a recognised survival strategy.
  • Saying 'I have a doubt' marks you as a Portuguese speaker instantly — use 'I have a question'.
6

Practical Task

  1. Rebuild the dialogue with a grammar point you found hard.
  2. Record your part, participating and clarifying.
  3. Write the assignment brief as you'd repeat it back.
  4. Real-life mission: read a real syllabus in English and find three terms (weighting, deadline, rubric).

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐add to a discussion politely?
  • ☐ask the teacher to clarify with an example?
  • ☐ask about weighting and deadline?
  • ☐organise group work and shared notes?
Bring your dialogue — the teacher plays a brisk lecturer who moves on fast.