Useful Phrases for Online English Lessons:Online English Guide

Online English lessons can be an excellent way to improve your fluency, confidence, and communication skills. However, to make the most of every class, it helps to know the right phrases to use with your teacher. Whether you are asking a question, giving feedback, or expressing confusion, using proper expressions makes your lesson smoother and more interactive.

This guide introduces useful English phrases categorized by common classroom situations. You can use them naturally during your next online English lesson to sound more fluent and professional.

Greeting and Starting the Lesson

Starting your class with a warm greeting helps create a positive atmosphere. Even a short, friendly exchange can make communication smoother.

Examples:

• “Good morning/afternoon! How are you today?”

• “Can you hear me clearly?”

• “Sorry, my internet was a bit slow.”

• “I’m ready to start the lesson.”

• “It’s nice to see you again!”

Tips:

• Always confirm your audio and video at the beginning.

• Try to sound cheerful—it sets the tone for the entire lesson.

• You can also ask about your teacher’s day to build rapport: “How’s your day going so far?”

When You Don’t Understand Something

Don’t be shy about asking for clarification. Your teacher expects this and will be happy to help. Clear communication ensures you actually learn, not just nod and move on.

Examples:

• “Sorry, could you repeat that, please?”

• “I didn’t catch that. Could you say it again?”

• “What does that word mean?”

• “Can you explain that in another way?”

• “I’m not sure I understand the difference between these two words.”

• “Could you give me another example?”

Tips:

• If you miss a word because of audio issues, say: “The sound cut off for a second.”

• Use “Could you” instead of “Can you” for a more polite tone.

Asking for Feedback or Correction

Getting feedback helps you improve faster. Be proactive and let your teacher know that you want corrections.

Examples:

• “Please correct me if I make a mistake.”

• “Can you tell me if my pronunciation was okay?”

• “Was that sentence natural?”

• “Did I use the right verb tense?”

• “I’d like to focus on grammar corrections today.”

Tips:

• Some students prefer instant corrections; others prefer after speaking. You can clarify:
  “Please correct me right away,” or “Please correct me after I finish speaking.”

Expressing Your Opinion or Feelings

Online English lessons often include discussions or opinion sharing. Learning to express your thoughts clearly makes your speaking sound natural and confident.

Examples:

• “I think that’s true because…”

• “In my opinion, it depends on the situation.”

• “Personally, I prefer…”

• “That’s an interesting question.”

• “I’ve never thought about it that way before.”

• “That’s similar to what happens in my country.”

Tips:

• Use linking words like because, so, however, and although to connect your ideas.

• Avoid one-word answers—try to explain your thoughts.

Managing the Lesson Flow

Sometimes, you might need to manage the pace or direction of the class. These phrases help you take control politely.

Examples:

• “Can we review that part again?”

• “Can we move to the next section?”

• “Could we practice pronunciation a bit more?”

• “I’d like to focus on speaking today.”

• “Can we go back to the last question?”

• “Let’s skip that part for now.”

Tips:

• Communicating your needs helps your tutor personalize the lesson for you.

• If you’re preparing for an exam or interview, mention it:
  “Can we focus on TOEIC-style questions today?”

When You Want to Confirm or Summarize

Summarizing what you’ve learned helps reinforce understanding and ensures you’re on the same page as your tutor.

Examples:

• “So, if I understand correctly, it means…”

• “You mean I should say it this way, right?”

• “Let me check if I got it: You said that…”

• “In other words, it’s similar to…”

• “So, this phrase is used in formal situations?”

Tips:

• Paraphrasing the teacher’s explanation shows active learning.

• It also helps you practice rephrasing in English, a useful communication skill.

Technical and Internet Connection Issues

Online lessons sometimes have connection problems. Knowing how to describe these clearly saves time and avoids confusion.

Examples:

• “Sorry, the sound is cutting off.”

• “Your video is frozen.”

• “I can’t hear you clearly.”

• “Could you please repeat that? The audio dropped.”

• “Let me reconnect. I’ll be back in a minute.”

• “There’s a delay in the sound.”

Tips:

• Speak slowly and use simple words to describe technical issues.

• If you lose connection, message your teacher through the platform chat.

Small Talk and Conversation Building

Small talk can help warm up before lessons and improve natural speaking flow. It’s also great for learning everyday expressions.

Examples:

• “How was your weekend?”

• “Did you watch any good movies recently?”

• “The weather here is really nice today.”

• “I’ve been busy with work lately.”

• “I’m planning a trip soon.”

• “I tried cooking something new this week.”

Tips:

• Try to answer with a bit of detail:
  Instead of “Yes, I watched a movie,” say “Yes, I watched Inception. It was really exciting!”

Asking for Vocabulary Help

Expanding your vocabulary is a key goal in any English lesson. Use these phrases to learn new words effectively.

Examples:

• “What’s the English word for this?”

• “How do you say this in English?”

• “What does ‘___’ mean?”

• “How can I use this word in a sentence?”

• “Is there another word that means the same?”

• “Is this word formal or informal?”

Tips:

• Keep a notebook or document to write new vocabulary during class.

• Ask for pronunciation help: “Could you pronounce that again slowly?”

Expressing Confusion or Asking for Clarification

When you’re unsure, it’s better to ask than to guess. Teachers appreciate when you show curiosity.

Examples:

• “Sorry, I’m a bit confused.”

• “I didn’t quite understand the difference.”

• “Could you give me another example?”

• “What’s the opposite of that word?”

• “Can you explain the grammar rule again?”

• “Is this the same as saying…?”

Tips:

• Always listen carefully to examples and repeat them.

• You can ask your teacher to type difficult words in the chat box.

Giving Feedback to Your Teacher

Feedback helps both you and your teacher improve the lesson experience. You can say what you liked and what you want more of next time.

Examples:

• “I really liked today’s topic.”

• “That exercise was very helpful.”

• “I think I need more speaking practice.”

• “Can we spend more time on vocabulary next time?”

• “I like when we do role-play activities.”

Tips:

• Be honest but polite.

• Feedback can be given at the end of each class: “Before we finish, I’d like to share some feedback.”

Ending the Lesson Politely

How you end a class also matters—it leaves a good impression and sets the mood for your next lesson.

Examples:

• “Thank you for today’s lesson!”

• “I learned a lot today.”

• “See you next time!”

• “Have a great day!”

• “Take care and see you in the next class.”

• “I’ll review this topic before our next lesson.”

Tips:

• Mention something specific you learned—it shows appreciation:
  “I liked the part about idioms today. It was fun!”

Practice Tip: Review and Reuse

Learning phrases is only the first step. The real improvement comes from using them regularly.

Here’s how to practice:

1. Write down your favorite 10 phrases from this guide.

2. Use at least two of them in your next lesson.

3. Review your chat or notes after class and see how you can use more next time.

By consistently applying these phrases, you’ll become more confident, natural, and engaged in every online English lesson.

Conclusion

Using the right phrases during your online English lessons can dramatically improve communication, build confidence, and help you learn more effectively. Whether you’re clarifying something, asking for feedback, or managing lesson flow, these expressions will make you sound more fluent and professional.

Remember, language learning is not just about vocabulary and grammar—it’s about expressing yourself clearly and naturally. Start using these useful phrases in your next class, and you’ll notice the difference immediately.