=English Proficiency for The Students of VOCATIONAL PROGRAM Primagraha University

By. H. Adi Suhendra, S.Pd, M.Si NAME : …………………………………

1. GREETINGS, PRECLOSINGS, AND CLOSINGS.

Greetings
Greetings in all languages have the same purpose: to establish contact with another person, to
recognize his or her existence, and to show friendliness. The formulas for greeting are very specific and
usually do not carry any literal meaning. People say ‘Good morning’ even if it is a miserable day and
may reply to ‘How are you?’ with ‘Fine, thanks,’ even if they aren’t feeling well.

Preclosings and closings

Usually people do not suddenly quit talking, say good bye, and leave each other abruptly; ending a
conversation normally takes some time. This involves two kinds of interactions: preclosings and
closings. Preclosings are phrases that signal the end of a conversation. Closings are phrases that
explicitly end the conversation.

Closings, like greetings, are commonly used exchanges with no literal meaning. People who are
together everyday say good bye at the end of the day or week.

PHRASES
GREETINGS RESPONSES

Good morning Good morning

Good afternoon Good afternoon

Good evening Good evening

How nice to see you Yes, it’s been quite a while.

Hello, Robert Hello, Katherine

How are you? Fine, thanks. And you?

Hi, Bob. Hi, Kathy

How have you been? Pretty good!

What’s new? Nothing

How are you doing? I am OK !

Long time, no see Yeach!

1
PRECLOSINGS RESPONSES

Well, I am afraid I have to go. Thanks for coming

It’s been a pleasure. Yes, I’ve enjoyed it.

I really must go now

Well, it’s getting late. Maybe we can talk later.

I know you are busy.

Nice to see you again. Nice to see you

Maybe we could get together sometime. Sounds good.

CLOSINGS RESPONSES

Until the next time Good bye

Good night, Billy Good night, Jean

Good bye, Harry Good bye

Talk to you later Bye, take it easy

See you later So long. Take care

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned!

Directions: After looking at each situation carefully, discuss with your partner(s) the relationship among
the speakers and the appropriate level of formality. Then practice, using any words or expressions
appropriate to express the functions given.

SITUATION 1

A and B are students at the university. They see each other between classes.

A B

1. Greets B 1. Greets A, asks about weekend

2. Talks about weekends, ask about B’s weekend 2. Answers question

3. Gives preclosing 3. Replies to preclosing

4. Closes 4. Replies

2
SITUATION 2

B is A’s boss. A needs to leave work early today to see the doctor and approaches B, who is working at
his or her desk.

A B

1. Coughs to get B’s attention, greets B 1. Returns greeting, offers help

2. Explains situation, requests permission to leave early 2. Asks for reason

3. Gives reason 3. Gives permission

4. Thanks B, gives preclosing 4. Replies to preclosing

5. Closes 5. Replies

2. INTRODUCTIONS
PHRASES

INTRODUCER RESPONSE A RESPONSE B

I’d like to introduce Henry Cheng. How do you do? How do you do?

I’d like to introduce Marie Brandon Glad to meet you The pleasure is mine

I’d like you to meet Patricia Murphy Nice to meet you Nice to meet you

I’d like to introduce Tony Angelo Pleased to meet you

I’d like you to meet Akiko Sato Nice to meet you I’ve hear so much
about

you.

This is Ali Hasan. Hi. Hi.

Self Introductions

SELF RESPONSE

Hello, I am John Plessis. How do you do? I’m Julie Duarte.

Hello, My name is George. Pleased to meet you. I’m Sue.

I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Mary. Nice to meet you. I’m Eva.

Hi, I’m Mike. What’s your name? Hi, I’m Margaret, but everyone calls me Peggy.

3. INVITATIONS
MAKING AN INVITATION ACCEPTING REFUSING

I’d like to invite you to dinner Thanks, I’d love to. I’m awfully sorry, but I have

this Saturday. other plans.

3
Are you free on Saturday? Would Thanks, I’d love to. Sorry, I’ve already made

you like to …… plans for Saturday.

How about dinner? Sounds great.

How about coffee? OK

MAKING A NON-INVITATION

You’ll have to come over sometime.

We’ll have to get together again soon.

If you are ever in Serang, give me a call.

If you are ever in the area, come and visit.

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned!

Directions: After looking at each situation carefully, discuss with your partner(s) the relationship among
the speakers and the appropriate level of formality. Then practice, using any words or expressions
appropriate to express the functions given.

SITUATION 1

A and B are good friends. They work in the same office. A has just finished moving into a new house and
wants to invite B over to celebrate.

A B

1. greets B 1. return greeting

2. invites B to housewarming 2. accepts invitation, ask about the time.

3. gives time 3. offers to bring something.

4. accept or rejects the offer 4. Expresses pleasure, thanks A for invitation.

Housewarming: party to celebrate moving into a new house.

SITUATION 2

A and B are both the students in the same English class, but from different countries. They don’t know
each other very well, but A hopes that by inviting B over for dinner, they can become better acquainted.

A B

1. greets B 1. greets A

2. invites B 2. accepts invitation

3. gives time and location 3. Disagree with the time, suggest

Alternative time

4
4.agrees 4. Expresses pleasure, thanks A

5. Acknowledges thanks, gives directions to

location.

4. THANKING PEOPLE AND REPLYING TO THANKS

WHEN TO THANK

The following list contains the most common situations that require thanks. You may be able to think of
other ones as well. In general people thank someone:

for a gift, for a favor, for an offer of help, for a compliment and a wish of success, for an invitation, and
when leaving a party or social gathering.

EXPRESSING THANKS RESPONSE

I’m very grateful for…… You’re very welcome

I’m so grateful for………. You’re quite welcome

Thank you very much for …….. Don’t mention it.

Thank you so much for ……… You’re welcome

Thank you for………… It was my pleasure

Thanks a lot for …….. You’re welcome

Thank you Don’t worry about it / Forget it

Thanks for trying I’m sorry it didn’t work.

Thanks anyway Sorry it didn’t work out.

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned!

Directions: After looking at each situation carefully, discuss with your partner(s) the relationship among
the speakers and the appropriate level of formality. Then practice, using any words or expressions
appropriate to express the functions given.

Situation 1

A has just recently gotten married to B’s former roommates. A sees B at the bookstore and goes over to
thanks B for wedding gift.

A B

1. greets B 1. greet s A

2. thanks B for the present, compliments 2. replies to thanks

5
 B on the gift

3. asks for information about the gift 3. Replies to question

4. repeats thanks, compliments again 4. Replies to compliment

5. gives preclosing 5. Replies to preclosing

6. says good-bye 6. Says good-bye

Situation 2

A is going to move and need a lot of help. A talks to friend B before class that day.

A B.

1. greets B 1. Greets A, ask about A’s family

2. thanks B and gives information, ask B to 2. Agrees to do the favor or refuses it and gives an

do a favor excuse

3. thanks B, makes arrangements, gives 3. Replies to preclosing

preclosing or thanks B, expressing regret,

gives preclosing

4 says good bye 4. Says good bye

5. APOLOGIZING
Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone needs to know what to do and say after making a mistake. This
unit focuses on apologies, and the aim is to help you know both what to say and when to say it.

When to apologize

People apologize for :

Hurting someone’s feeling or causing a misunderstanding; being late or missing a meeting, class,
appointment, etc; interrupting a conversation; taking someone’s property by mistake; being impolite;
damaging another person’s property; and dialing wrong number.

PHRASES

APOLOGY RESPONSE

Forgive me. I’m terribly sorry about…… That’s quite all right / I understand completely

Please accept my apologies for ………. You really don’t have anything to apologize for

Please excuse (my dog) You don’t need to apologize

I would like to apologize for ………. I wouldn’t worry about it

I apologize for ……………… It’s not your fault / Well, that’s life

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ……. Don’t worry about it

Oh, sorry That’s OK

6
Sorry about that No problem / Forget it

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned!

Directions: After looking at each situation carefully, discuss with your partner(s) the relationship among
the speakers and the appropriate level of formality. Then practice, using any words or expressions
appropriate to express the functions given.

Situation

A was supposed to meet B at the country club to play futsal. A arrived at ten o’clock, waited 45 minutes,
and then left. Now A sees B at the shopping center and goes over to talk with him or her.

A B.

1. greets B 1. Greets A

2. asks B for an explanation 2. Apologizes for not coming, gives explanation

3. replies to B’s apology 3. reassures A that it won’t happen again

4. asks for a new time 4. Suggests a time

5. disagrees with time 5. Agrees to A’s suggestion

6. gives preclosing 6. Repeats apology

7. replies to apology, say good bye 7. Says good bye

6. EXPRESSING ANGER AND RESOLVING CONFLICT

The following situations will make many people (Americans) angry:

1. Breaking a promise.

2. Lying

3. Interfering in personal matters

4. Breaking a confidence

5. Taking something without permission

6. Being insulting

7. Failing to apologize

8. Failing to speak in passing

9. Failing to thank someone

10. Failing to return invitation

Expressing Anger

There are several ways to express anger.

7
 1. Blowing off the steam.

2. Extremely politeness. This is an acceptable way of making anger clear. In this situation the angry
person suddenly becomes extremely polite, using the title + last name or full name.

3. Silence

4. Sarcasm. This technique involves using nice words a very un-nice way. Usually, it is the
intonation that makes different.

PHRASES

BLOWING OFF STEAM RESPONSE

It annoys me when …………… I don’t like it either

I don’t like it when ………… I don’t like it either

I can’t stand it when …………… I know what you mean

It burns me up when ………….. Me, too

I hate it when ………….. So do I

RESOLVING CONFLICT

I’d like to discuss this matter That would be good idea

Can we discuss this?

Don’t be angry. Let’s talk it over Yes, Let’s

Come on. Don’t be mad

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned!

Directions: After looking at each situation carefully, discuss with your partner(s) the relationship among
the speakers and the appropriate level of formality. Then practice, using any words or expressions
appropriate to express the functions given.

Situation

X and Y are friends. But X had a big party last weekend and didn’t invite Y, even though Y always invites
X to Y’s parties. Y sees that X is just getting home from work and goes over to talk.

Y X

1. Greets X 1. Greets Y

2. Asks how the party was 2. Answers question

3. Expresses anger 3. Apologizes, explains why Y wasn’t invited

4. Expresses disappointment 4. Invites Y

8
 5. Accepts invitation, expresses pleasure 5. Expresses pleasure

6. Gives preclosing, says good-bye 6. Responds to preclosing, says good bye

7. GIVING COMPLIMENTS AND REPLYING TO COMPLEMENTS

HOW TO COMPLIMENT

There are three ways to give a compliment; by saying something nice about the object, by asking how
the person made it or where it was bought.

REPLYING TO COMPLIMENTS

There are two basic ways of replying to compliments; accepting them and rejecting them. In most cases,
it is best to accept the compliment.

PHRASES

COMPLIMENT RESPONSE

I would like to compliment you on …. Thank you. It’s nice of you to say that

I think your …… is very nice. Thank you, but it really isn’t anything

special.

I just love your ………….. Thank you. Yours is even nicer.

It’s very delicious ! I’m glad you like it.

I really like your ……. Thank you

That’s nice Thanks

That’s not bad !

Terrific

Pretty good

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned!

Directions: After looking at each situation carefully, discuss with your partner(s) the relationship among
the speakers and the appropriate level of formality. Then practice, using any words or expressions
appropriate to express the functions given.

9
Situation

A and B are good friends from school. A sees B on a new motorcycle and begin to talk with B.

A B

1. greet B 1. Returns greeting

2. compliments B on new motorcycle 2. Accepts compliment, tells when m

Motorcycle was bought.

3. asks to try motorcycles 3. Agrees or refuses and gives a reason

4. express thanks or expresses

disappointment.

8. GETTING PEOPLE’S ATTENTION AND INTERRUPTING

Getting people’s attention and interrupting people are important skills in any language. These are
sometimes difficult to do in another culture, where the gestures or ways of speaking are very different
from your own. As always, the formality of the situation and the relationship of the speakers will affect
the way people talk to each other.

Getting people’s attention

I general, it is most polite to be as unobtrusive as possible when trying to get someone’s attention. In
most situations it is best to wait until the other person is looking in your direction and then try to “catch
his eye.” However, that does not always work. Here are some other ways.

PHRASES

GETTING SOMEONE’S ATTENTION RESPONSE

Pardon me, Dr. Nathanson. Yes? What can I do for you?

Excuse me, Bill

Oh, Miss? Yes? (can I help you?)

sir?

Waiter?

(cough) Yes?

(clear throat) Yes?

Hey, Beth. Yeah?

Hey you! (in most cases one would receive

No response or a ruder one.)

INTERUPTING A CONVERSATION RESPONSE

10
Pardon me, but… how can I help?

Pardon the interrupt you, but…

I’m sorry to interrupt you, but…

I don’t want to interrupt you, but... it’s all right. What can I do for

you?

I hate to interrupt, but...

I’m sorry, but… it’s OK.

Excuse me, but...

Oh were you in the middle of something? No. It’s all right

Am I interrupting?

INTERRUPTING AN OVERHEARD RESPONSE

CONVERSATION

Excuse me, but (I think you want the

Eighteenth floor, not the twenty-eight).

I’d like to say something, if you don’t mind. Go ahead.

It’s none of my business, but…

Do you mind if I say something?

Can I butt in here? Sure

Excuse me, but…

CUED DIALOGUES
Situation

A is a student in a technical program, and B is A’s adviser. A goes to see B in B’s office. When A gets
here, B is talking on the phone.

B A

1. excuses self (to caller), greets A 1. Greets A, apologizes for interrupting

2. accept apology, closes phone conversation 2. Asks for appointment

11
3. suggests time 3. Reject the time

4. suggest another time 4. Accepts the time, thanks B

5. replies to thanks 5. Gives closing

6. replies to closing

9. AGREEING and DISAGREEING

PHRASES

COMPLETE AGREEMENT

I agree completely…..

That’s just what I think, of course

In my opinion, you are correct

I couldn’t agree more

You’re right

Sure

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

I suppose you’re right

Well, may be ………

INDIRECT DISAGREEMENT

I’m not sure I can agree

I wonder if there’s a mistakes

In my opinion ……………………….

Are you absolutely sure?

That really surprises me

I may be wrong, but …..

Really ?

Oh, I don’t know

DIRECT DISAGREEMENT

I’m sorry, but I have to disagree

I refuse to believe that

No, that’s wrong

12
 You’re dead wrong

No way!

10. CONTROLLING THE CONVERSATION

It’s normal for a person to misunderstand or not to hear the other person sometimes, so
you should have no fear of asking someone to repeat or slow down.

PHRASES

SHOWING ATTENTION, UNDERSTANDING, OR AGREMENT

I see

Exactly

Yes

Right

Yeah

SHOWING SURPRISE

Really?

Oh, No

No kidding!

What?

Oh my gosh!

CHANGING THE SUBJECT

Which reminds me……………………

Come to think of it, …………………………

By the way, ……………………..

GETTING SOMEONE TO REPEAT OR SLOW DOWN

Would you mind repeating what you just said?

Could you please repeat that?

Would you say that again more slowly, please?

What did you say?

I didn’t catch that.

Run that by me again

What?

13
 11. GETTING INFORMATION
In Most cases you need information, you can ask someone directly. However, there are some topics
considered personal and private that people are hesitant to discuss. These include salary, age,
weigh, and political or religious belief, or the cost of particular items.

PHRASES

ON THE TELEPHONE

Could you please tell me your hours?

Can you please tell me when you close?

FACE TO FACE

Excuse me. Could you tell me the way to ………..?

Pardon me. Could you tell me how to get to ………..?

Could you tell me where (the nearest restroom) is?

Can you tell where (the library) is?

How do I get to ………..?

Is this the way to ………….?

Do you know where (the post office) is?

Note: Remember! The person getting the information always say ‘Thank you’, and the giver says some
version of ‘You’re welcome’!

SMALL GROUP PRACTICE!

Using what you’ve learned

A: Good morning. May I help you?

B:

A: What kind of room would you like?

B:

A: How long will you be with us?

B:

A: How about a double on the front?

B:

A: Good. Sign here, please.

14
 Welcome to the World of Spoken English!

VOCABULARY BUILDING

PLACES
A place where animals are slaughtered abattoir
A place where fish are kept aquarium
A place where public records and documents are kept for future reference archives
A place where an audience gathers to listen to lectures, etc auditorium
A place where birds are kept aviary
A place where bread and cakes are made bakery
The part of a building which is below ground level basement
A building where beer is made brewery
A room in a ship for passengers and crew to live in cabin
A small restaurant where food and drinks are sold cafe
A place where food is canned cannery
A place where the dead are buried cemetery
A place of worship for Christians church
A place where films are shown cinema
A school for higher learning college
A place where law-cases are heard court
A place where milk is kept to be made into butter and cheese dairy
A place where trams and buses are kept depot
A place where medicines are compounded dispensary
A place where ships are repaired or built dockyard
The sleeping rooms in a boarding school or hostel dormitory
A place where rubbish is deposited dump
A shopping center emporium
A place where things are made or manufactured factory
A place where eggs are hatched artificially hatchery
A place where sick people are treated hospital
A place where travelers may stay for the night hotel / inn
A school for infants and young children kindergarten
A place where scientific experiments are conducted laboratory
A place where clothes are washed and ironed laundry
A place where books are kept library
A place of worship for Muslims mosque
A place where historical relics are preserved and displayed museum
A place where fruit trees are grown orchard
A home for orphans’ orphanage
A place where water is collected and stored reservoir
A place of worship for Hindus and Buddhist temple
A place where goods are stored warehouse
A place where wild animal are kept and exhibited zoo

15
 OCCUPATIONS
One who keeps and examines business accounts accountant
The commander of a fleet of warship admiral
One who studies historical remains archeologist
One who draws plans for buildings and looks after the work of building architect
One who studies the stars astronomer
One who writes books author
One who makes and sells bread baker
One who run a bank banker
One who makes things out of iron blacksmith
One who kills animals, cuts them up and sells the meat butcher
One who carries clubs for golf player caddie
One who does woodwork carpenter
One who receive and pays out of money in a bank, a café etc cashier
One who prevents smuggling along the coast coastguard
One who mends shoes cobbler
One who sells fish fishmonger
One who sells flowers florist
One who cuts and sets hair of women hairdresser
One who creates or designs new things inventor
One who watches over pupils in an examination invigilator
One who deals in jewels jeweler
One who cuts and prepares stone for buildings mason
One who repairs machines mechanic
One who tests eyesight and sells spectacles optician
One who takes pictures with a camera photographer
One who mends water pipes and sanitary wares plumber
One who writes poems poet
One who carries luggage at the railways station, harbor, etc porter
One who is a judge on a game referee
One who carves in stone sculptor
One who loads and unloads ships stevedore
A doctor who performs operations surgeon
One who shows people to their seats in theatres, cinema, etc usher
One who serves at tables in a restaurant waiter
One who takes charge of a prison warden
One who works as a prison guard warder
One who joins iron or copper together by hammering or pressing
while soft and hot welder

16
 PARENTS and
YOUNG
MAMMALS

FATHER MOTHER YOUNG FATHER MOTHER YOUNG

Bear She-bear Cub Leopard Leopardess Cub

Billy-goat Nanny-goat Kid Lion Lioness Cub

Bull Cow Calf Tiger Tigress Cub

Dog Bitch Puppy Tom-cat Tabby-cat Kitten

wolf She-wolf cub

BIRDS

FATHER MOTHER YOUNG FATHER MOTHER YOUNG

Cock Hen Chicken Gander Goose Gosling

Drake Duck Duckling Owl Owl Owlet

Eagle Eagle Eaglet

INSECTS

ADULT YOUNG ADULT YOUNG

Ant Grub Cockroach Nymph

Bee Grub Housefly Maggot

Butterfly Caterpillar

17
 COUNTRY, PEOPLE, LANGUAGE
COUNTRY PEOPLE LANGUAGE

Arabia Arab Arabic

Australia Australian English

Canada Canadian English, French

China Chinese Chinese

Egypt Egyptian Arabic

Finland Finn Finnish

France French French

Germany German German

Greece Greek Greek

Holland Dutch Dutch

Ireland Irish English, Gaelic

Italy Italian Italian

Japan Japanese Japanese

Mexico Mexican Spanish

New Zealand New Zealander English

Poland Poles Polish

Scotland Scot English, Gaelic

Spain Spaniard Spanish

turkey Turk Turkish

18
 FORMING NOUNS
WORDS NOUNS WORDS NOUNS

able ability believe belief

absent absence bitter bitterness
accept acceptance brave bravery
accurate accuracy breathe breath
act action bright brightness
add addition bury burial
admire admiration busy business
adopt adoption choose choice
advertise advertisement clean cleanliness
agree agreement collect collection
allow allowance compare comparison
angry anger compete competition
appear appearance conclude conclusion
apply application confident confidence
appoint appointment confuse confusion
arrive arrival consider consideration
beautiful beauty correct correction
bad badness dark darkness
decide decision kind kindness
deep depth know knowledge
depart departure lazy laziness
describe description lend loan
die death live life
enter entrance lose loss
equal equality obey obedience
expect expectation permit permission
explain explanation proud pride
fail failure prove proof
give gift real reality
grow growth sad sadness
honest honesty sell sale
just justice serve service
soft softness unite unity
speak speech valuable value
true truth wise wisdom

19
 IDIOMS
IDIOMS MEANINGS
to build castle in the air to day-dream

the apple of one’s eye a favored person

to receive with open arms to welcome cordially

to back up to support /assist

a bad egg a worthless people

like a bear with a sore head very bad-tempered

to beat about the bush to talk in a roundabout way

to carry on to continue

a cat and dog life always quarrelling

to rain cats and dogs to rain very heavily

chicken -hearted weak and cowardly

20