Recommended tutor: SarahWhy this matters
Family and home is the second-easiest first English topic for a child. Every kid has a household to describe — who lives with them, where they sleep, what's in the kitchen, who tucks them in. The grammar is gentle (this is, I have, my room is) and the vocabulary all comes from things they can see right now without leaving the sofa.
The tutor stays slow and warm. They ask one tiny question at a time, repeat the right answer, and never push. Different kinds of families are welcome: one parent, two mums, grandparents at home, an only child, a big noisy crew. By the end of a couple of lessons, most kids can introduce three family members and name three rooms in their home.
What you’ll be able to do
- ✓Introduce family members: "This is my mum, my dad, my brother."
- ✓Name common rooms: bedroom, kitchen, living room, garden.
- ✓Describe a person with one or two simple adjectives (kind, funny, tall).
- ✓Say where things happen at home: "We eat in the kitchen."
- ✓Answer "Who lives with you?" without freezing.
What a lesson actually feels like
An 8-year-old talks about who is at home with them.
Key vocabulary
Useful phrases by situation
My family
- “This is my mum.”
- “I have a sister.”
- “My grandma is funny.”
- “I have one brother and one sister.”
Asking about your family
- “Who lives with you?”
- “What's your brother's name?”
- “Do you have a sister?”
- “Are your grandparents nice?”
Rooms in my home
- “My bedroom is small.”
- “We eat in the kitchen.”
- “My favourite room is the garden.”
- “There is a big TV in the living room.”
Common mistakes & how to fix them
Cultural notes
- ★In the UK kids say "mum"; in the US they say "mom". Both are correct — just different countries.
- ★Different families are normal in English-speaking countries. Some kids have two mums, some live with grandparents, some have only one parent. "My family is..." works for everyone.
Tips from our tutors
Frequently asked
My child is shy about family. Will the tutor push?+
What if our family is non-traditional?+
How is this different from "Animals & Pets"?+
Can my child do this without preparation?+
Beginner, intermediate, advanced
Tell the tutor your level at the start of the lesson and the conversation adjusts. Same topic, different depth.
Just say who lives with you. "My mum", "my dad", "my sister". One word per turn is fine.
- →Name 3 family members in English.
- →Say "this is my [mum / dad / brother]".
- →Answer "how many people in your family?" with a number.
Describe each family member with one feeling word and name a few rooms in your home. The tutor builds on what you say.
- →Describe a family member with one adjective ("My sister is funny").
- →Name 3 rooms in your home.
- →Say where you eat / sleep / watch TV.
Tell who lives in which room and add a small detail per person — a hobby, a job, a favourite food. Still A1 vocab, just stitched together.
- →Connect family members to rooms ("My brother's room is upstairs").
- →Add one fact per person ("My dad cooks. He likes pasta").
- →Tell a 3-sentence story about your family.
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