A2 Key:Personal Information
Meeting people · saying who you are · Speaking Part 1 interview.
A2 Key parts in this lesson
Why this lesson now? Introduces Reading 1, Speaking 1 and Writing 1 — each will return in later modules.
Your level · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
In pairs: 'What's your name? How do you spell your surname?' Use 'double L', 'capital M'.
Ask a partner: 'Where are you from?' and 'What's your job?' Answer in a full sentence.
Look at a sign in reception. What does it tell visitors to do?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minThe verb 'be' + subject pronouns
I am / you are / he-she-it is / we-they are. Short forms: I'm, you're, he's, we're.
- 1The verb be is the first verb every A2 Key candidate must control: for names (I'm Anna), nationality (She's Polish), job (We're students), and feelings (He's tired).
- 2Questions invert be and the subject: Are you from Spain?
- 3Negatives add not: I'm not a teacher.
- 4Always use the short form in speaking.
I'm Marco. I'm from Italy.
Is she a nurse? — Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
We're not from here — we're on holiday.
What's your name? My name's Elena.
Question 1.____ your name Carlos?
Question 2.We ____ from Brazil.
Question 3.She ____ a doctor.
Question 4.____ you a student? — No, I'm a shop assistant.
Question 5.My brothers ____ not here today.
Question 6.____ your surname? — It's Novak.
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Introduce yourself
2.Ask about a job
3.Say your job
Quick check 1.Which is the correct short form?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
family status words
Use one of these words in a sentence about someone you know.
asking someone to spell a word
Ask your partner to spell their first name.
What to do
Match each question to the best answer.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use today's personal-information language in full sentences.
Ask your partner
- What's your nationality?
- How do you spell your surname?
- Do you know anyone who works as a receptionist?
"In my family, my ... is married / single."married
Why is it important to be polite when you meet someone new?
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 25 words introducing yourself to a new classmate.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minContractions with 'be'
Always contract in speaking: I'm, you're, he's, she's, we're, they're.
- • I'm from Turkey.
- • She's a nurse.
- • We're not from here.
- • They're students.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minA new colleague — a short email
Read along — listen to the text
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Hi team,
My name's Lucia and I'm the new receptionist. I'm from Naples, in Italy, but I live in Manchester now. I'm 24 and I love meeting new people — that's why I like this job!
In my free time I like cooking and I go to the gym on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please say hello when you see me at the front desk!
See you soon,
Lucia
Question 1.What is Lucia's job?
Question 2.Where is Lucia from?
Question 3.When does Lucia go to the gym?
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Reading Part 1 — Read the notice.
- 2.Choose the correct answer, A, B or C.
Visitors
VISITORS Please write your name in the book and wait here for your host.
1.What should visitors do?
2.Why did Marco send this message?
New students
NEW STUDENTS Bring your ID card to Room 4 before your first class.
3.What must new students do first?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minTwo people meet at a language school
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Ben:Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Ben.
Yuki:Hi Ben, nice to meet you. I'm Yuki.
Ben:Where are you from, Yuki?
Yuki:I'm from Osaka, in Japan. And you?
Ben:I'm from Leeds, in England. Are you a student here?
Yuki:Yes, I am. I'm studying English for my job. What do you do?
Ben:I'm a chef, actually — I'm here for two weeks only.
Question 1.Where is Yuki from?
Question 2.Why is Yuki studying English?
Question 3.What is Ben's job?
Question 4.How long is Ben staying?
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Listening Part 2 — Complete the notes.
- 2.Write ONE word or a number in each gap.
Part 3 audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
New student registration form
Registration form- First name:
- Country:
- City:
- Reason for studying English:
- Length of course:
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minA2 Key Speaking Part 1 — interview
Answer in a full sentence, not one word: name + one extra detail.
Task
Answer the examiner's questions about name, country, job and family in short, complete sentences.
Example
Examiner: What do you do? Candidate: I'm a shop assistant. I work in the city centre.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.'I ___ from Italy.' Type ONE word.
Q2.'____ your name Tom?' Type ONE word.
Q3.'We ___ students.' Type ONE word.
A2 Key Writing Part 6 — write a short message. See the full task below.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
See WRITING_PART1 for a full worked example.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Writing Part 6 — Read the notes.
- 2.Write a short message to your new teacher (25 words or more).
Hi! Welcome to the class. Please send me a short message before Monday.
Your reply must cover:
- your name
- where you are from
- your job or studies
Show model answer
Hi! My name's Ana and I'm from Seville, in Spain. I'm a nurse and I work in a big hospital. I'm looking forward to the class. See you on Monday!
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Groups of 3. Take turns asking and answering: name, country, job, family status. Answer in full sentences with one extra detail.
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Speaking Part 1 — interview (2–3 minutes).
- 2.Work in pairs; take turns being the examiner.
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "What's your name?"
Tip: One short sentence — name only.
2.Examiner: "How do you spell your surname?"
Tip: Spell letter by letter.
3.Examiner: "Where are you from?"
Tip: Country + city.
4.Examiner: "What do you do?"
Tip: Job or 'I'm a student' + one extra detail.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Tell me about your family."
Tip: 3–4 short sentences: who's in your family + one detail about each.
Show model extended answer
I've got a big family. I've got two brothers and one sister. My mother is a teacher and my father is a taxi driver. We live together in a small town near Valencia.
What to do
- 1.A2 Key Speaking Part 2 — Each candidate has a photograph.
- 2.Describe your photograph for about 1 minute.
Candidate A — your photograph
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • Where are these people?
- • What are they doing?
- • How do they feel?
- • Have you ever met someone new like this?
Candidate B — your photograph
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • Where are these people?
- • What are they doing?
- • Do you often meet friends in a café?
Useful phrases
- • In this photo I can see…
- • They're…
- • I think they're…
Show model 1-minute description
In this photo I can see two people. They're at a conference. They're shaking hands and smiling. I think they're colleagues.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the personal information practice finishes early. ~15 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Record yourself answering the 4 Speaking Part 1 questions plus the family question. 2–3 sentences each.
Your response
0 words SavedWrite a 25-word message introducing yourself to a new classmate.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Content points
Learn 8 new words from today's Vocab list and write one full sentence with each.
Your response
0 words SavedRecap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- 'be' = am / is / are. Use short forms in speaking: I'm, you're, he's.
- Questions invert be and subject: 'Are you…?' / 'Is she…?'
- Never answer with one word — add one extra detail.
- A2 Key Writing Part 6 = short message, 25+ words, cover every content point.
- A2 Key Speaking Part 1 = short personal questions; Part 2 = describe a photo.
Need more practice?
Optional · your lesson progress stays the sameFuture plans and conditions
Practise this exam skill
Course topics in new sentences
Practise this exam skill
Answering questions about yourself
Practise this exam skill