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Managing Phrases

Create collections of common phrases and expressions

Teacher Guide: Managing Phrases

Overview

The Phrases feature allows you to create and organize collections of common phrases, expressions, and vocabulary for your students. These phrase collections help students learn practical, real-world language quickly.

Getting Started

Accessing Phrases

  1. Log in to your teacher account
  2. In the sidebar, go to Teaching → Phrases
  3. You'll see a list of all your phrase collections

Creating a Phrase Collection

Step-by-Step Creation

  1. Click the "Create Phrase Collection" button
  2. Fill in the collection details:
    • Title: Name your collection (e.g., "Restaurant Phrases")
    • Description: Explain what phrases are included
    • Language: Select the target language
    • Category: Choose a category (Greetings, Travel, Business, etc.)
    • Level: Select difficulty level
  3. Add individual phrases:
    • Phrase in target language
    • English translation
    • Pronunciation guide (optional)
    • Usage context (optional)
  4. Click "Create Collection" to save

Phrase Categories

Common Categories

  • Greetings & Introductions: Hello, goodbye, nice to meet you
  • Travel: Directions, transportation, accommodation
  • Restaurant & Food: Ordering, dietary restrictions, paying
  • Shopping: Prices, sizes, returns
  • Emergency: Help, medical, police
  • Business: Meetings, emails, phone calls
  • Social: Making friends, small talk, invitations
  • Numbers & Time: Counting, telling time, dates

Best Practices

Organizing Phrases

  • Group by situation: Keep related phrases together
  • Logical order: Arrange phrases in conversation flow
  • Include variations: Show formal and informal versions
  • Add context: Explain when to use each phrase

Writing Effective Phrases

  • Keep it practical: Focus on commonly used expressions
  • Include pronunciation: Help students say it correctly
  • Show usage: Provide example sentences
  • Cultural notes: Explain cultural context when relevant

Example Phrase Entry

Phrase: "¿Cuánto cuesta?" Translation: "How much does it cost?" Pronunciation: "KWAN-toh KWES-tah" Context: Use when shopping or asking about prices Example: "¿Cuánto cuesta este libro?" (How much does this book cost?)

Managing Phrase Collections

Viewing Collections

  1. Click on any collection from your list
  2. You'll see:
    • All phrases with translations
    • Pronunciation guides
    • Usage contexts
    • Number of phrases

Editing a Collection

  1. Open the collection you want to edit
  2. Click the "Edit" button
  3. Add, remove, or modify phrases
  4. Update collection details
  5. Click "Save Changes"

Organizing Collections

  • Use clear, descriptive titles
  • Create separate collections for different topics
  • Tag collections by level
  • Group by learning goals

Deleting a Collection

  1. Open the collection you want to delete
  2. Click the "Delete" button
  3. Confirm the deletion

Sample Phrase Collections

"Essential Travel Phrases"

At the Airport

  • "Where is the baggage claim?" - "¿Dónde está el reclamo de equipaje?"
  • "I need to check in" - "Necesito hacer el check-in"
  • "What gate is my flight?" - "¿Cuál es la puerta de mi vuelo?"

At the Hotel

  • "I have a reservation" - "Tengo una reserva"
  • "What time is checkout?" - "¿A qué hora es el checkout?"
  • "Can I have a wake-up call?" - "¿Pueden despertarme?"

Getting Around

  • "Where is...?" - "¿Dónde está...?"
  • "How do I get to...?" - "¿Cómo llego a...?"
  • "How much is a taxi?" - "¿Cuánto cuesta un taxi?"

"Restaurant Essentials"

Arriving

  • "Table for two, please" - "Mesa para dos, por favor"
  • "Do you have a reservation?" - "¿Tiene reserva?"
  • "Non-smoking section" - "Sección de no fumadores"

Ordering

  • "I would like..." - "Quisiera..."
  • "What do you recommend?" - "¿Qué recomienda?"
  • "I'm allergic to..." - "Soy alérgico a..."

Paying

  • "The check, please" - "La cuenta, por favor"
  • "Is service included?" - "¿Está incluido el servicio?"
  • "Can I pay by card?" - "¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?"

Using Phrases in Teaching

In Lessons

  • Start each lesson with relevant phrases
  • Practice pronunciation together
  • Role-play conversations using phrases
  • Quiz students on phrase meanings

For Homework

  • Assign phrase memorization
  • Ask students to create sentences
  • Have students record themselves
  • Practice with language partners

For Assessment

  • Include phrases in tests
  • Test pronunciation
  • Evaluate usage in context
  • Check comprehension

Tips for Success

  1. Start with essentials: Focus on most useful phrases first
  2. Update regularly: Add new phrases based on student needs
  3. Get feedback: Ask students which phrases they use most
  4. Make it fun: Use games and activities to practice
  5. Real-world focus: Prioritize phrases students will actually use

Common Questions

Q: How many phrases should be in a collection? A: Aim for 20-30 phrases per collection. This is enough to be useful without overwhelming students.

Q: Should I include slang? A: Include common, appropriate slang with clear context about when it's suitable to use.

Q: How do I teach pronunciation? A: Include phonetic guides, audio recordings if possible, and practice in class.

Q: Can students create their own phrase collections? A: This depends on your platform settings. Consider allowing advanced students to contribute.

Q: How often should I update collections? A: Review and update quarterly, or when you notice students struggling with certain situations.

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues or have questions:

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