10 phrases to survive your first lesson
The ten sentences that keep a first lesson moving when you're stuck, lost or out of words, in English, Spanish, French and Italian.
By Mathias C.
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The first lesson is the scary one. Not because of grammar, but because of the silence when you don't understand and don't know how to say so.
These ten phrases fix that. They're not about travel or small talk. They're lesson tools for anyone who has just picked a tutor: the sentences that let you stay in the target language even when you're lost. Write them on a sticky note and keep it next to your screen.
Phrases for when you don't understand your tutor
| English | Spanish | French | Italian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Could you repeat that, please? | ¿Puedes repetir, por favor? | Tu peux répéter, s’il te plaît ? | Puoi ripetere, per favore? |
| Could you speak more slowly? | ¿Puedes hablar más despacio? | Tu peux parler plus lentement ? | Puoi parlare più lentamente? |
| What does "…" mean? | ¿Qué significa "…"? | Qu’est-ce que "…" veut dire ? | Cosa significa "…"? |
The third one is your most useful phrase in any language. Use it as often as you need, in class and outside it: it is also what saves you when ordering at a Paris café goes off script.
Phrases for when you can't find a word
| English | Spanish | French | Italian |
|---|---|---|---|
| How do you say "…"? | ¿Cómo se dice "…"? | Comment on dit "…" ? | Come si dice "…"? |
| I don't know the word. | No sé la palabra. | Je ne connais pas le mot. | Non conosco la parola. |
| It's like… | Es como… | C’est comme… | È come… |
"It's like…" is underrated. Describing a word you don't know is exactly the skill you'll need in real conversations.
Phrases to ask your tutor for feedback
| English | Spanish | French | Italian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is that correct? | ¿Está bien así? | C’est correct ? | È corretto? |
| Can you correct me, please? | ¿Me corriges, por favor? | Tu peux me corriger ? | Mi correggi, per favore? |
Ask for corrections out loud. Some tutors hold back in the first lesson to avoid discouraging you (how a tutor corrects you is one of the things we check in our Preply review). Telling them you want corrections changes the whole lesson.
Phrases to buy time in a language lesson
| English | Spanish | French | Italian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just a moment, I'm thinking. | Un momento, estoy pensando. | Un instant, je réfléchis. | Un attimo, sto pensando. |
| Can you write it down? | ¿Puedes escribirlo? | Tu peux l’écrire ? | Puoi scriverlo? |
A note on "you": we used the informal form (tú, tu, tu) because most online tutors switch to it quickly. If your tutor uses the formal form, follow their lead.
How to use these first-lesson phrases
A simple routine works:
- Say each phrase out loud three times before the lesson.
- Keep the sticky note where you can see it during the call.
- Use at least three of the phrases during the lesson.
- After the lesson, circle the ones you actually needed and keep those for next time.
You'll notice the lesson feels less like a test and more like a conversation.
Want a head start on everyday phrases too? Each language page has five flip cards for lesson one.
Questions about your first language lesson
What should I say at the start of my first lesson?
Greet the tutor, say your goal in one sentence and admit your level honestly. Tutors adapt faster when they know what you want and where you start.
Is it rude to ask a tutor to repeat?
No. Asking to repeat or slow down is part of learning, and a good tutor expects it. Doing it in the target language is even better practice.
Should I use formal or informal “you”?
Follow the tutor. Many online tutors switch to the informal form (tú in Spanish, tu in French and Italian) quickly, but it's polite to start formal if unsure.
How do I ask for corrections without stopping the conversation?
Ask the tutor to note your mistakes and go through them at the end of the lesson. You keep talking and still get the feedback.
How many phrases should I memorize before the first lesson?
A handful is enough. Say each one out loud a few times before the lesson and try to use three of them during it.
