Table of contents
Assumptions: a practical workshop for people with a language barrier. We practice simple sentence patterns, ready‑made phrases and role‑play scenes from everyday life: work – public office – health – child’s school. Zero “testing”, lots of speaking.
1. Overall goal and session logic
Goal: participants use ready‑made phrases + sentence patterns for typical situations (phone call, request, question, email) and receive a set of cards for independent practice over 14 days.
Logic: pronunciation warm‑up → phrase bank and patterns → role‑play scenes (work/office/health/school) → phone + email → 14‑day plan.
Outputs: 1) Card JP1 – My language goals (14 days), 2) JP2 – PL/UA phrase bank (A2–B1), 3) JP3 – Sentence patterns (request/question/explaining), 4) JP4 – Role‑play scenes (work/office/health/school), 5) JP5 – Phone: 30–60 s scripts, 6) JP6 – Work email (template), 7) JP7 – Mini grammar (present/past + cases in practice), 8) JP8 – J‑LANG rubric (speaking 0–2 pts/criterion).
2. Learning outcomes (A2–B1)
Knowledge: knows 12–15 ready‑made phrases and 6 sentence patterns for work/office/health/school. Skills:
conducts a short phone call (30–60 s);
formulates 3 polite requests and 3 information questions;
writes 1 email using a template;
role‑plays 2 scenes (as an employee/client/parent). Attitudes: confidence in simple language, asking for repetition, the right not to know a word.
3. Organizational parameters
Room: U‑shape + 4 tables; flipchart; projector (optional); timer.
Print materials (A4, one per person): JP1–JP8 + role cards for JP4/JP5.
Evaluation: Mentimeter PRE/POST (3 questions, section 4) + self‑assessment in JP1.
Support languages: translations of key phrases PL↔UA (on JP2/JP3/JP6); optional EN notes.
4. Mentimeter — questions (PRE and POST)
“I can make a phone call about work/public office matters in Polish (30–60 s).”
“I can politely ask for / explain a simple matter face‑to‑face.”
“I can write a short email using a template.”
5. Detailed agenda (180’)
0–10’ Opening and ground rules
Goal: language safety. Instruction: rules: speak slowly, ask for repetition, use a “pause”, everyone has the right not to know a word. Hand out JP1–JP8.
10–20’ Icebreaker “Name + verb”
Goal: warm up the speech apparatus and vocabulary. Instruction: everyone says their name + a verb (I work, I study, I call…) and makes a gesture; the group repeats.
20–28’ Mentimeter PRE
28–53’ MODULE 1 — Pronunciation and polite phrases (25’)
Goal: create a “safe entry” into conversation. Materials: JP2 (phrase bank). Instruction: we repeat aloud in rhythm:
“Good morning / Please repeat / Please speak more slowly.”
“May I ask for…? / I need information about… / Thank you for your help.”
“I don’t understand that word. How is it spelled?”
Exercise: echo‑drill (whole group → pairs).
Criterion: everyone says 6 phrases fluently.
53–83’ MODULE 2 — Sentence patterns (request, question, explanation) (30’)
Goal: build your own sentences “like building blocks”. Materials: JP3 (patterns), JP7 (mini grammar). Patterns (A2–B1):
Request for help: “Could you help me with [thing]?”
Asking about a date/time: “When can I [verb] [thing]?”
Explaining a problem: “I have a problem with [thing]. [Symptom]. I need [solution].”
Making an appointment: “I would like to book an appointment for [day/time].”
Requesting a document: “Please send [contract/confirmation/payslip] by email.”
Past experience: “In Ukraine I worked as [job] for [time].”
Exercise: fill the gaps → swap noun/verb → your own sentences.
Criterion: everyone creates min. 6 correct sentences (A2–B1).
83–93’ BREAK (10’)
93–133’ MODULE 3 — Role‑play scenes (JP4) (40’)
Goal: transfer phrases into real‑life situations. Materials: JP4 – 4 sets of scenes + role cards.
Sets (10’ + 2’ feedback each):
A) Work – conversation with a supervisor (schedule, leave, OHS training).
B) Public office – PESEL/appointment (booking, documents).
C) Health – visit to a family doctor/GP (symptoms, prescription).
D) School – conversation with a teacher (child, language support).
Instruction: work in triads (A – client/employee/parent, B – clerk/doctor/teacher/supervisor, C – observer with JP8 rubric). After each scene, switch roles.
Criterion: everyone speaks at least once in role A or B; the observer completes 1 JP8 rubric.
133–138’ Energizer “1 word → 3 sentences” (5’)
Random word from JP2; in 60 s make 3 sentences in pairs.
138–163’ MODULE 4 — Phone and email (25’)
Goal: safe remote communication. Materials: JP5 (phone scripts), JP6 (email template).
Phone (12’): pair practice:
Start: “Good morning, this is [first and last name]. I’m calling about [briefly]. May I ask two questions?”
Requests: “Could you tell me…?”, “Please repeat the address.”
Closing: “Thank you, I will send an email.”
Email (13’): JP6 template:
Subject: Matter + date
Greeting: Dear Ms / Dear Sir,
Body (3 paragraphs): purpose → details → request/deadline
Closing: Kind regards, [name], [phone]
Criterion: everyone completes 1 call (30–60 s) + writes an email draft.
163–175’ MODULE 5 — 14‑day plan (12’)
Goal: reinforce the learning habit. Materials: JP1. Instruction: write 3 situations in which you will use the language (e.g., call the clinic, ask for a payslip, book a meeting at school). Mark days 1–14 (every 2 days, 10 minutes). Criterion: a plan with 7 small steps.
175–180’ Mentimeter POST + declaration “my call within 48 h” (5’)
Goal: closure and agency. Instruction: POST (the same 3 questions); everyone names one person/place they will call within 48 h.
6. Facilitation good practices
Pace and simplicity: speak slower; short sentences; repetition; write phrases on the flipchart.
Pronunciation support: metronome/clapping; mark stress; repeats in pairs.
Safety: encourage using “I don’t understand, please repeat.”
Bridges to other scenarios: dialogue and mediation (scenario 03), working in PL (scenario 09), formalities (scenario 11).
7. Adaptations, plan B, variants
Level A1+ / strong barrier: more repetition, pictures/pictograms, smaller scenes (2 sentences), UA translations on cards.
Level B1+: add “why I think so” and “a short description of a work task”.
No phones: simulate calls “across the table” + voice recording by the facilitator.
Less time (120’): M1 15’, M2 20’, M3 30’, M4 20’; M5 as homework.
8. Evaluation and reporting indicators
Mentimeter PRE/POST – 3 questions (section 4).
Outputs: JP1–JP7 + 1 email draft.
JP8 rubric: at least 2 people per triad assessed (speaking).
Attendance and consents: attendance list, consents for photos of outputs.
Printable materials
Each item below has its own Print button (it prints only that card).
My language goals (14 days)
Write down 3 situations in which you will use Polish in the next 14 days (e.g., a phone call to a clinic, asking for a document at work, a meeting at your child’s school).
- Situation 1: ______________________________
- Situation 2: ______________________________
- Situation 3: ______________________________
Plan 7 “small steps” (every 2 days for about 10 minutes). Tick when you practise:
| Day | I practise 10 min | What do I practise? (phrase / call / email) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 2 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 3 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 4 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 5 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 6 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 7 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 8 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 9 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 10 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 11 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 12 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 13 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
| 14 | ☐ | ______________________________ |
Tip: choose 1 phone call, 1 email and 1 face-to-face conversation within 14 days.
Conversation opener:
- Polish: Good morning. My name is …
- Ukrainian: Good morning. My name is …
- Request:
- Polish: Could you help me with …? / I need information about …
- Ukrainian: Could you help me with …? / I need information about …
- Speed and understanding:
- Polish: Please speak more slowly / repeat.
- Ukrainian: Please speak more slowly / repeat.
- Work matters:
- Polish: Please give me the schedule for next week. / Can I take leave in …?
- Ukrainian: Please give me the schedule for next week. / Can I take leave in …?
- Public office / appointment:
- Polish: I would like to book an appointment regarding … for …
- Ukrainian: I would like to book an appointment regarding … for …
- Health:
- Polish: I have had pain in … for … days. I would like a prescription / referral.
- Ukrainian: I have had pain in … for … days. I would like a prescription / referral.
- School:
- Polish: I would like to talk about language support for my child.
- Ukrainian: I would like to talk about language support for my child.
May I ask for [thing] for [who] on [day]?
I need information: [question].
I have a problem with [thing]: [symptom]. Please [solution].
I’m calling about [topic]. May I ask two questions?
I worked as [job] for [time] in [place].
Please send [document] to [email].
A1 – Work / schedule: ask to change the schedule (give a reason, propose a date/time).
A2 – Work / leave: ask for 2 days of leave (give dates, ask about the rules).
B1 – Public office / PESEL: book an appointment, ask what documents are needed.
B2 – Public office / confirmation: ask for a confirmation by email.
C1 – Health: describe symptoms (3 facts), ask for a prescription.
C2 – Health / appointment: reschedule the visit.
D1 – School: book a meeting with the teacher, ask about language support.
D2 – School / trip: ask about the cost and consent form.
General script:
Good morning, this is [First name Last name].
I’m calling about [topic].
May I ask two questions?
[question 1] / [question 2]
Please repeat the address/email/time.
Thank you, goodbye.
Subject: [Matter] – [date]
Greeting: Dear Ms / Dear Sir,
A1 Purpose: I am writing regarding … (hint: I am writing about …)
A2 Details: I need … / I would like to ask for … (hint: I need … / I ask for …)
A3 Request / deadline: Could you please … by [date]?
Closing: Kind regards, [First name Last name], [phone]
Present / past: “I work / I worked”, “I need / I needed”.
Useful cases (in practice): accusative after requests (“I would like [what?]”), locative (“in [what?] at the office”), genitive (“I don’t have [what?] a passport”).
Pronunciation (stress): mark the stressed syllable; practise using JP2.
Clarity (pace, pronunciation)
Ready‑made phrases (uses 3+)
Sentence patterns (3+ correct)
Assertiveness (asks for repetition)
Communicative goal (achieved)
Interpretation: 0–3 starting out; 4–7 solid; 8–10 confident.