First Meeting Questions
Here are some sample questions you might ask a learner during your first meeting. You may want to
leave some for the next meeting. Use only the questions that seem applicable and add ones of your
own. If necessary, use pictures and examples to help the learner understand the questions. When the
learner starts finding the questions difficult to answer, stop.
- How do you say your name? (Ask this if you are not sure of how to
pronounce their name. Write it down phonetically and practise it.)
- How long have you lived in Canada?
- How long have you lived in (this town/city)?
- What is your job (work) now?
- What was your job (work) in (other country)?
- Do you have family here?
- How many years did you go to school in (other country)?
- Can you read and write well in your first language?
- Where did you learn English?
- How many years have you taken English classes?
- What did you study in other English classes?
- Why do you want to learn more English?
- What do you want to learn more about?
- Do you have time for homework?
- Do you talk to English speakers every day?
- Do you listen to English radio? Do you watch English television?
- What do you read or write in English?
Handout 11.6