In each lesson of this 25-part series, you'll encounter a common question that English learners come across, and then learn how to answer like a native speaker. You'll learn how these key phrases works by breaking them down into each component. Then, through repetition and new vocabulary, you'll expand your understanding of the question, its answers, and any variations. |
In this lesson, you'll learn how to respond to the common question “How long have you been studying English?”. |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? |
Becky: The first word in the question is |
Eric: how |
Becky: meaning “in what way, the way in which.” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) how |
Becky: Listen again and repeat. |
Eric: how |
Becky: This pattern of first introducing a word at natural speed, providing the translation, breaking it down, and then giving it again at natural speed will be repeated throughout the series. Try to speak aloud as often as possible. The next word in the question is.. |
Eric: long |
Becky: meaning “the length” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) long |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: long |
Becky: Listen to the first two words of the question and repeat. |
Eric: how long |
Becky: Next is... |
Eric: have |
Becky: meaning “to take, to possess.” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) have |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: have |
Becky: Listen to the first three words of the question and repeat. |
Eric: how long have |
Becky: And next is.. |
Eric: you |
Becky: meaning “the person you're talking to.” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) you |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: you |
Becky: Listen to the first four words of the question and repeat. |
Eric: how long have you |
Becky: And next, |
Eric: been |
Becky: This is the past participle of “be” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) been |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: been |
Becky: Listen to the first five words of the question and repeat. |
Eric: how long have you been |
Becky: And next, |
Eric: studying |
Becky: meaning “to learn about something by reading or writing or memorizing.” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) studying |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: studying |
Becky: Listen to the first six words of the question and repeat. |
Eric: how long have you been studying |
Becky: And last is.. |
Eric: English |
Becky: meaning “the English language.” |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) English |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: English |
Becky: Listen to the entire question and repeat. |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? |
Becky: You will hear this common question again and again throughout your studies. Master the following pattern and responses to the question “How long have you been studying English?” |
Eric: For one month. |
Becky: "For one month.” Listen as it’s repeated slowly. Repeat the phrase. |
Eric: (Slow) For one month |
Becky: Let's break it down from the beginning. The first word is.. |
Eric: for |
Becky: This is a function word to indicate purpose. |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) for |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: for |
Becky: And next is |
Eric: one |
Becky: meaning the number 1. |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) one |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: one |
Becky: And next, |
Eric: month |
Becky: This is one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year. |
Eric: (Slow, by syllable) month |
Becky: Now repeat. |
Eric: month |
Becky: Listen to the speaker say “For one month” and then repeat. |
Eric: For one month. |
Becky: For more practice, let’s replace “one month” with “two years.” |
Eric: Two years |
Becky: “two years,” or 24 months |
Eric: (slow) two years (regular) two years |
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “two years.” |
Eric: For two years. |
Becky: It mostly stays the same, we just replace “one month” with “two years.” Now say, “for two years.” |
Eric: For two years. |
Becky: To make another phrase, replace “two years” with “one year.” |
Eric: One year. |
Becky: “one year,” a period of 12 months |
Eric: (slow) one year (regular) one year |
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “one year.” |
Eric: For one year |
Becky: Again, we simply replace “two years” with “one year.” Now say, “for one year.” |
Eric: For one year. |
Becky: Now let’s replace “one year” with “three weeks.” |
Eric: Three weeks |
Becky: “three weeks,” or 21 days |
Eric: (slow) Three weeks (regular) Three weeks |
Becky: Listen to the phrase again, this time with “three weeks.” |
Eric: For three weeks. |
Becky: Again, it’s almost the same; just replace “one year” with “three weeks.” Now say “for three weeks.” |
Eric: For three weeks. |
Becky: Now it's time for a quiz. Imagine you’re visiting the United States and someone asks you how long you've been studying English. You've been studying it for one month. How would you answer? |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For one month |
Becky: Imagine you've been studying it for two years. Respond to the question. |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For two years. |
Becky: Imagine you've been studying it for one year. Answer the speaker's question. |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For one year. |
Becky: Imagine you've been studying it for three weeks. How would you answer? |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? (five seconds) For three weeks. |
Becky: Now you want to ask someone how long they've been studying English. Ask the question. |
(5 seconds) |
Eric: How long have you been studying English? |
{pause} |
Becky: This is the end of Lesson 6. |
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Hello Harsha,
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Thanks for writing again.
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How long have you been studying English?
For one month.
Hello Mawahib,
Thanks for commenting!!!😄😄
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How long have you been studying English?
I can not count 😅
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Éva
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For 2 days.
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I have been studying English for 4 years at school, but after I left school, English level remained average
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