EverydayIntermediate
Saying your English isn't great in English
What to say when your English isn't great and you need someone to speak slowly.
Full script
Lin
Sorry, my English isn't great. Could you speak slowly?
Them
Sure! But your English sounds great to me.
Lin
Really? I'm still learning. I practice every day.
Them
It shows. Where are you from?
Lin
I'm from China. How do you say this street name?
Them
Honestly? Nobody knows. Even I say it wrong.
Lin
So your English isn't great either!
Them
Ha! But it's better than my Chinese. I only know ni hao.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Save this
✓ My English isn't great.Modest line
"Poor" is OK, but negative; "isn't great" sounds natural
Help
✓ Could you speak slowly?For fast speech
a little more slowly = even slower
Be confident
✓ I'm still learning.Be open
People often encourage you.
Ask
✓ How do you say this?Show + ask
For signs / menus
Quick answers
Save this: what to say in English
Say “My English isn't great.” — modest line. "Poor" is OK, but negative; "isn't great" sounds natural.
Help: what to say in English
Say “Could you speak slowly?” — for fast speech. a little more slowly = even slower.
Be confident: what to say in English
Say “I'm still learning.” — be open. People often encourage you.
Ask: what to say in English
Say “How do you say this?” — show + ask. For signs / menus.