Two languages at home: Easy English Story, Level 4

Level 4 Story 16 of 16 · 206 words · upper intermediate (B2)

Key words

migrant a person who moves to another country
well-meaning trying to help
fall behind not keep up with others
dilemma a difficult choice
grumbled complained quietly
glowing very positive

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Retell the story in your own words in 4 or 5 sentences. Say it out loud, or write it down. Then read the story again and check what you missed.

Two languages at home

Graded story, level 4 · englishcoaching.au

1. Vocabulary: write the meaning

migrant: ________________________
well-meaning: ________________________
fall behind: ________________________
dilemma: ________________________
grumbled: ________________________
glowing: ________________________

2. Questions

What did the neighbour advise?
☐ Speak only English at home ☐ Speak only Portuguese ☐ Move schools
What happened when they switched to English?
☐ It felt strange and Ana used fewer words with her grandmother ☐ Everything improved ☐ Ana stopped speaking
What did the teacher recommend?
☐ Keep the home language ☐ Speak English only ☐ Get a tutor
What's the message of the last sentence?
☐ Think carefully about advice before following it ☐ Never listen to neighbours ☐ Always follow advice

3. Talk or write about it

Retell the story in 4 or 5 sentences.

Transcript

When their daughter Ana started school, Marco and Luísa faced a question that many migrant families know well: which language should they speak at home?

A well-meaning neighbour had told them to switch to English. "She'll fall behind otherwise," he said, with total confidence.

For a few months they tried, but it felt strange. Their English was good, yet their jokes didn't land, their stories lost their colour, and Ana began to answer her grandmother's video calls in single words.

At a parent-teacher interview, Marco mentioned their dilemma. To his surprise, Ana's teacher shook her head.

"Please keep your home language," she said. "Children who are strong in their first language usually find it easier to learn a second one. She'll get plenty of English here."

That evening, the family went back to Portuguese at the dinner table. Ana grumbled at first, then gradually began correcting her parents' Portuguese spelling, which delighted her grandmother.

By the end of the year, Ana's school reports were glowing, and she had become the unofficial translator for a new student who had just arrived from Brazil.

Marco still thinks about the neighbour's advice. "He meant well," he says. "But some advice is worth listening to, and some is worth questioning."

Answers: 1. Speak only English at home · 2. It felt strange and Ana used fewer words with her grandmother · 3. Keep the home language · 4. Think carefully about advice before following it

Frequently asked questions

What level is the story 'Two languages at home'?

Level 4, upper intermediate (B2). It has 206 words, with audio, key words and a quiz.

Can I listen to this English story?

Yes. Press Play and each sentence is read aloud and highlighted, so you can read and listen at the same time. Choose Slow speed if you're a beginner.

Which words will I learn?

migrant, well-meaning, fall behind, dilemma, grumbled, glowing.