New here? This is lesson 12 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Slower, please in English
Dee talks fast at the Blue Plate. Ana needs a way to stop her and hear the words.
A polite yak named Murray is still at the counter, with two eggs and a coffee he has not finished.
By the end, you'll ask someone to say it again, go slower, write it down, or tell you the English words.
You'll also check a word you heard, and you'll say when a voice is too quiet.
By the end of this lesson
Ask someone to repeat, slow down, write it, or say how to say something.
- Can you repeat that?please say it again
- Slower, please.please speak at a slower speed
- How do you say ___?you ask the English words for this
- Can you write it down?please write the words
- I can't hear you.their voice is too quiet
- You said ___?you check the word you heard
Scene — the coffee pot
Same morning at the Blue Plate. Dee talks over the coffee pot, fast as always. Ana is still at the door.
Murray sits on two stools with two eggs and a black coffee he has not finished. The jukebox by the door stays quiet.
Learn — slower, please
Six short lines help you when talk is too fast or too quiet.
You'll ask for a repeat, a slower speed, the words on paper, and the English for a thing.
Can you repeat that?
please say it again
When to use it: Say this when you missed the words.
Learn it as one piece when you missed the words.
Slower, please.
please speak at a slower speed
When to use it: Say this when talk is too fast.
Learn it as one piece to ask for less speed.
Say it: The stress is on Slow.
How do you say ___?
you ask the English words for this
When to use it: Ask this when you want the English words.
Learn it as one piece when you want the English word.
Can you write it down?
please write the words
When to use it: Say this when you want the words on paper.
Learn it as one piece when you want the words.
I can't hear you.
their voice is too quiet
When to use it: Say this when a voice is too quiet.
Learn it as one piece when a voice is too quiet.
Say it: Can't is strong, not like can.
You said ___?
you check the word you heard
When to use it: Use this to check a word you heard.
Learn it as one piece to check the word.
Story — the breakfast list
Watch Ana stop Dee at the counter. Dee talks fast, and Ana needs the words again.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Dee talks over the coffee pot, already pouring.
DeeGood morning. Have a seat. Coffee, eggs, toast.a morning hello, a seat, then a fast food list- Ana looks at the stools for a name, then hears the food list.
AnaSlower, please.please speak at a slower speed- DeeCoffee, eggs, and toast.she says the food again, a little quieter
- AnaI can't hear you. Can you repeat that?the voice is too quiet, and she wants the words again
- DeeCoffee, eggs, toast, hon.she says the food list one more time
- AnaYou said toast?you check the word you heard
- DeeToast. And hash browns.she says yes to toast, then names one more food
- Ana points at Murray's eggs.
- AnaHow do you say this?you ask the English words for this
- DeeOver easy.eggs cooked on both sides, still a little soft
- AnaCan you write it down?please write the words
- DeeSure, hon.she agrees to write the words
- Murray does not get up. He looks at his eggs.
MurrayWell, coffee, eggs, toast, hash browns.he says the whole breakfast list again
Practice — say it again
Eleven 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 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
Can you repeat that?Drop the Simple English hereSlower, please.Drop the Simple English hereCan you write it down?Drop the Simple English hereI can't hear you.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Dee talks too fast over the coffee pot. You need less speed.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
I can't hear you.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
please write the words
Can you ____ it down?
Build the line
Build the line
please say it again
?
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You point at a pie. You want the English words for it.
Pick the reply
Dee says:
Pick the reply
It's hash browns, hon.
Dee tells you the name of a food. You want to remember it.
And you reply with:
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
You said ___?
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks someone to stand up.
What do you say?
What do you say?
It is nine in the morning at the Blue Plate. Greet Dee.
Say it — ask her again
Now you're Ana at the counter. Dee is talking fast. 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.
- DeeCoffee, eggs, toast, hash browns.she lists breakfast food, very fast
- Ana (you)Ask her to speak at a slower speed.
Ask her to speak at a slower speed.
Slower, please.
please speak at a slower speed
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Can you repeat that? | please say it again | |
| Slower, please. | please speak at a slower speed | |
| How do you say ___? | you ask the English words for this | |
| Can you write it down? | please write the words | |
| I can't hear you. | their voice is too quiet | |
| You said ___? | you check the word you heard |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps these lines ready when talk is fast.
Open Yak Cards