Meet Your Guest Teacher

Ms. Hernandez will be back tomorrow.

G🍎

Ms. G

Laura Gapczynski

Hello, my name is Laura Gapczynski.

I am a retired elementary school teacher.

I mainly taught grade 5.

I taught robotics, engineering, and science to gifted students.

My students never called me my full last name.

They always called me Ms. G, beginning in the 1980's, when my oldest began school and I became a volunteer.

So, please, call me Ms. G.

Ms. is mainly used to describe a single female.

I am fine with being called Mrs. G, since I am married.

But women may also be referred to as Ms.

I am now a website designer.

I am taking advantage of this opportunity to create this for you.

Pick your language at the top of the page. The English text always stays, so you can read and hear both.

Classroom Phrases

Here are some things we say in class. The green line is the way an adult usually says it. The gold line is a way you might also hear — often from a child.

Tap 🔊 to hear a phrase in English.

When you do not understand

Adult

I do not understand. Could you explain that again?

Child

I do not get it.

Asking someone to repeat

Adult

Could you repeat that, please?

Child

What?

Asking to leave the room

Adult

May I use the restroom, please?

Child

Can I go to the bathroom?

When you need help

Adult

I need help with this, please.

Child

Help me!

Asking someone to slow down

Adult

Please speak more slowly.

Child

Slow down!

Saying thank you

Adult

Thank you for your help.

Child

Thanks!

Type & Translate

Type any sentence in English. I will show it in Spanish, Russian, Khmer, and Chinese, and you can hear each one.

Practice: Have & Had

Choose the correct word, then say the full sentence out loud.

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I a pencil.