Welcome! This short lesson focuses on everyday family phrases you can use right away. Say the phrases out loud and try the quick exercises — you'll sound more natural fast. A little Yak Yacker moment: let's talk family!
Level A2: In this lesson (lesson 54) you'll practice simple family phrases like 'I grew up with my ___,' 'I am close to my ___,' 'We get along well,' plus how to say parents' status, how often you see relatives, ask about parents' jobs, and name a brother-in-law. CEFR-aligned and practical — listen, repeat, and use these frames in real conversations.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Understand and use simple frames to describe family background and relationships.
Ask about and answer questions about parents (jobs and family situation).
Practice saying short phrases aloud to build confidence in talking about family.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
I grew up with my ___.
Talk about upbringing and household history
Meaning: Talk about upbringing and household history.
When to use: Use this when you explain who raised you or who was in your home while you were growing up.
Tip: Don’t mix with 'I grew up in' (place). Use 'with' for people, 'in' for places.
I grew up with my grandparents and learned a lot from them.
I grew up with my grandparents and learned a lot from them.
I grew up with my cousins in a small town.
I grew up with my cousins in a small town.
I am close to my ___.
Express closeness to a family member
Meaning: Express closeness to a family member.
When to use: Use to describe emotional closeness with a family member.
Tip: Beginners sometimes say 'close with' — the common phrase is 'close to my ___.'
I am close to my sister — we talk every day.
I am close to my sister — we talk every day.
I am close to my mom; she gives me good advice.
I am close to my mom; she gives me good advice.
We get along well.
Describe a positive relationship
Meaning: Describe a positive relationship.
When to use: Use when you want to say that two people have a friendly, cooperative relationship.
We get along well even if we disagree.
We get along well even if we disagree.
My cousins and I get along well at family events.
My cousins and I get along well at family events.
I don't see my ___ very often.
Say how often one sees a family member
Meaning: Say how often one sees a family member.
When to use: Use when explaining how frequently you meet or visit a family member.
Tip: Make sure to include which family member: 'I don't see my uncle very often.'
I don't see my brother very often because he lives abroad.
I don't see my brother very often because he lives abroad.
I don't see my aunt very often, but we message a lot.
I don't see my aunt very often, but we message a lot.
My parents are divorced.
Describe marital or relationship status in the family
Meaning: Describe marital or relationship status in the family.
When to use: Use to explain that your parents are no longer married.
My parents are divorced, but we are all friends.
My parents are divorced, but we are all friends.
My parents are divorced, so I split holidays between houses.
My parents are divorced, so I split holidays between houses.
What do your parents do?
Ask about someone's parents
Meaning: Ask about someone's parents, often about their jobs.
When to use: Use as a polite conversation question to learn about family background and jobs.
What do your parents do? Are they teachers?
What do your parents do? Are they teachers?
What do your parents do — do they work here?
What do your parents do — do they work here?
___ is my brother-in-law.
Explain a family relationship by marriage
Meaning: Explain a family relationship by marriage.
When to use: Use to name a relative who joined the family by marriage (in-law).
Carlos is my brother-in-law; he's married to my sister.
Carlos is my brother-in-law; he's married to my sister.
Anna is my brother-in-law's sister; family parties are big!
Anna is my brother-in-law's sister; family parties are big!
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David meet and talk about family.
What topic are Anna and David mainly talking about?
Anna
Hi David! How's your family?
Hi David! How's your family?
David
Good. What do your parents do?
Good. What do your parents do?
Anna
My parents are teachers. I grew up with my grandparents, though.
My parents are teachers. I grew up with my grandparents, though.
David
I am close to my sister. We get along well.
I am close to my sister. We get along well.
Anna
I don't see my uncle very often — he lives abroad.
I don't see my uncle very often — he lives abroad.
David
By the way, Mark is my brother-in-law.
By the way, Mark is my brother-in-law.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which sentence says someone's parents are no longer married?
Which question asks about someone's parents' jobs?
Which sentence shows a good relationship between two people?
Which sentence names a relative by marriage?
When I was small, I grew up with my grandmother.
When I was small, I ___ my grandmother.
After the wedding, Mark is my brother-in-law.
After the wedding, Mark ___ Anna.
Even though we call, I don't see my cousins very often.
Even though we call, I ___ my cousins very often.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
I grew up with my ___.
Talk about upbringing and household history
Say this phrase out loud:
I am close to my ___.
Express closeness to a family member
Say this phrase out loud:
We get along well.
Describe a positive relationship
Say this phrase out loud:
I don't see my ___ very often.
Say how often one sees a family member
Say this phrase out loud:
My parents are divorced.
Describe marital or relationship status in the family
