Au Pair Preparation course.

Level A.

Introduction.

In this course, we are making an adjustment to the standard method to teach English. Au Pair
babysitters go to the US to learn English, so a full proficiency test is not required.

We will focus in taking the ITEP test to qualify as an Au Pair.

Also, we are going to practice interviewing in the US embassy to get the J1 visa.

We will also practice an interview with potential parents in the US.

LESSON # 1.

Related Vocabulary.

Host Family, Host kid, Host Mom, Kindergarten, Interview, Childminder, Matching, Profile,
siblings.

Superlatives (Amazing, Great, Super, Excited)

Connectors (therefore)

Be careful, be quiet, Shut up (should not be used).

Expressions: What do you want to eat?, did you brush your teeth?

Chores vocabulary: launch bag, water bottle, homework, booster seat, snack, scooter
helmet, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, napkin, laundry basket, garbage, spoon, knife, fork
basement, oven (microwave, roast) playground, blanket, towel, French fries, potato chips, socks
underwear, toilet paper, schedule, peanut butter, time out (ground the kid or punishment)

Kid care expressions:

did you brush your teeth?

can I have something to eat?

do you want to play with me?

what time is it?

get your seat belt

everything OK?

get in the car

 I got it

have a good night

I'm going to take a nap

drop off the kids

pick up the kids

I will show you

hold on

hey buddy

First, we are going to develop a conversation between two characters. One character is the
potential mother and the other is the Au Pair. Later, we will introduce other characters. For
example, the father, the kid, the schoolteacher and possibly the person that does the chores in the
house.

In developing these conversations, we are going to learn special new words, related vocabulary but
also basic grammatical rules, as for example the conjugation of verbs, using special words as
connectors that are also called transitional words.
First Dialog. Au Pair interview.

In the following dialog we will simulate an interview between the Au Pair candidate and the
potential host family. In this example, there is only a mother for simplicity.

Mother: Hello Diana! We are so excited to meet you!

Au Pair:

Complex response: Hello Cintia! I am also looking forward to find a Host Family!. I
am glad to meet you too!

Recommended response: Hello Cintia! I am also excited!

Mother: Diana we saw your profile and we were in awe (amazed) regarding your kindergarten
experience. Would you mind telling us a little bit more about this period of your life?

Au Pair:

Long Response: No, not at all! It was the happiest experience. I love teaching
children. They are so playful and funny. I really enjoyed spending time in the
kindergarten. Every day was amazing! I also had fun looking the interest I could
drive onto the kid’s imagination. It was the most rewarding experience!

Recommended response: No problem. It was an amazing period!.

Mother: Diana we have two siblings, boy and girl. They are 5 and 7 years old. It would be necessary
to drive them to school and other activities. How good of a driver are you?

Long response: It would be so nice to drive your kids! I am a very careful driver. I
would stop at every corner as long as it´s safe. I am always attentive of every single
sign and obstacles. You should not worry about my driving abilities!

Recommended response: I am a good driver.

Mother: let´s pretend that my youngest start screaming out of nowhere. How would you react if
you are in the supermarket with him?

Mother: My girl is a little bit too energetic. She´s very happy when running and jumping. When she
´s too energetic and in potential danger, what would you say to her?
Related Grammar

In this section we will remember a few already mentioned structures in the dialog above.

The most important verb in English is the verb to be.

Present Tense Past Tense Future Tense

I
You
He
She
It
You
They