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Lesson 126 of 240

New here? This is lesson 126 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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Still learning in English

Dee is busy at the Blue Plate, and she asks Ana to pour a refill. Ana is still learning that skill.

Murray watches from his two stools. He has never tried, and he does not plan to stand up.

By the end, you'll say you are still learning, you have never tried, and you need more practice.

You'll also ask to try, and you'll say you can do it with help.

By the end of this lesson

Say what you are still learning and what you've never tried.

  • I'm still learning to ___.I have started this skill but I am not finished.
  • I've never tried to ___.This would be new for me.
  • I haven't learned that yet.I still do not know how.
  • Let me try.Please allow me to attempt this.
  • I need more practice.I should do this many more times.
  • I can do it if you help.With your help, I am able.

Scene — the coffee pot

Same afternoon at the Blue Plate. Dee holds the coffee pot and looks at Ana's empty hands.

Murray sits on two stools at the end of the counter. His cup is low, and he does not get up.

The jukebox by the door stays quiet. Button B7 still has a blank label.

Dee slides the coffee pot toward Ana while Murray stays seated at the counter with his low cup.

Learn — still learning

Six short lines cover skills you are still learning and things you have never tried.

You'll also ask to try, ask for help, and say you need more practice.

  1. Ana looks down at her empty hands as she considers the coffee pot.

    I'm still learning to ___.

    I have started this skill but I am not finished.

    When to use it: Say this when you started a skill but you are not done.

    Learning is the -ing form of 'learn'.

    Say it: The stress is on learn in learning.

  2. Murray remains seated on two stools beside his nearly empty cup.

    I've never tried to ___.

    This would be new for me.

    When to use it: Say this when a skill is fully new for you.

    I've is I have said as one piece.

    Say it: Tried ends with a d sound.

  3. Ana gestures through extra steps while Dee patiently indicates one simple pouring motion.

    I haven't learned that yet.

    I still do not know how.

    When to use it: Say this when you still do not know a skill.

    Yet means this may change later.

    Say it: Learned ends with a d sound.

  4. Ana reaches for the coffee pot as Dee holds it steady for her to try.

    Let me try.

    Please allow me to attempt this.

    When to use it: Say this when you want a chance to do the skill.

    Let me means please allow me to have a turn.

  5. Coffee lands on the saucer first as Dee steadies the pot Ana is holding.

    I need more practice.

    I should do this many more times.

    When to use it: Say this when you should do the skill many more times.

    Practice here means doing the skill again and again.

    Say it: The stress is on prac in practice.

  6. Dee guides Ana’s hands on the coffee pot as they work together behind the counter.

    I can do it if you help.

    With your help, I am able.

    When to use it: Say this when you can finish only with someone's help.

    'If you help' says your help is needed.

    Say it: Can is often reduced to 'kuhn' here. Can't has a different vowel sound.

Story — a refill

Watch Ana try to pour a refill. Dee wants a short try, not a long plan.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Dee slides the coffee pot toward Ana. Cups wait on the counter.
  2. DeeHon, pour a refill for Murray.She asks Ana to fill Murray's cup again.
  3. AnaI'm still learning to pour coffee.I have started this skill but I am not finished.
  4. DeeIt's just a pot, sweetie. Go on.She tells Ana to start, and keep it simple.
  5. AnaFirst I wash the cup, then I wait.She adds extra steps that Dee did not ask for.
  6. DeeJust tilt the pot, hon.She shortens the steps to one small move.
  7. AnaLet me try.Please allow me to attempt this.
  8. Coffee hits the saucer first. Dee steadies the pot.
  9. AnaI need more practice. I'm still a beginner at this.She should do this many more times, and she is new to this activity.
  10. DeeWant a hand, hon?She offers to help Ana with the pot.
  11. AnaI can do it if you help.With your help, I am able.
  12. Murray watches from two stools. He does not stand.
  13. DeeMurray, you show her.She asks Murray to teach Ana.
  14. MurrayWell, I've never tried to pour coffee.This would be new for me.
  15. DeeIn all these years?She is surprised he never poured coffee.
  16. MurrayI haven't learned that yet.I still do not know how.

Practice — try or not yet

Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    I'm still learning to ___.Drop the Simple English here
    I've never tried to ___.Drop the Simple English here
    I haven't learned that yet.Drop the Simple English here
    Let me try.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    Dee holds out the pot. You want a chance to do it yourself.

  4. What does it mean?

    I'm still learning to ___.

  5. Fill the gap

    With your help, I am able.

    I can do it ____ you help.

  6. Build the line

    I should do this many more times.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    I can hold the pot steady while you pour.

    She offers to steady the pot for you.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    This skill would be new for you.

    I've ____ tried to ___.

  9. True or false?

    This line means you are new to the activity.

  10. What do you say?

    Tell Dee that your skill is improving now.

Say it — say it back

Now you're Ana at the counter with the coffee pot. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. DeeHon, pour a refill for Murray.She asks you to fill Murray's cup again.
  2. Ana (you)Tell her you started this, but you are not done.

    I'm still learning to ___.

    I have started this skill but I am not finished.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
I'm still learning to ___.I have started this skill but I am not finished.
I've never tried to ___.This would be new for me.
I haven't learned that yet.I still do not know how.
Let me try.Please allow me to attempt this.
I need more practice.I should do this many more times.
I can do it if you help.With your help, I am able.
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