Absolute Beginner English: There Is, There Are

Building on the new vocabulary students have just learned, you can introduce 'there is' and 'there are'. You will need some more images, some of these images should have a number of the same item in order to practice both the single and plural form.

Part I

Teacher: Is there a car in this picture? Yes, there is a car in that picture. Is there a book in this picture? No, there isn't a book in that picture. (Model the difference between the question and answer by accenting 'is there' in the question and 'there is' in the response. )

Teacher: Is there a computer in this picture?

Student(s): Yes, there is a computer in that picture.

Teacher: Is there a computer in this picture?

Student(s): No, there isn't a computer in that picture.

Continue this exercise with the everyday objects images you have brought into class. Alternate these objects with objects in the classroom that they have already learned so that you can reinforce the difference between 'this' and 'that'.

Part II: Are There Four... There Are Four...

Teacher: Are there three cars in this picture? Yes, there are four cars in that picture. Are there two books in this picture? No, there aren't two books in that picture. (Model the difference between the question and answer by accenting 'are there' in the question and 'there are' in the response. It is very important that you use specific numbers at this point as students are not yet familiar with 'some' and 'any')

Teacher: Are there four people in this picture?

Student(s): Yes, there are four people in that picture.

Teacher: Are there three lamps in this picture?

Student(s): No, there aren't three lamps in that picture.

Continue this exercise using the illustrations you have brought into class.

Part III: Students Ask Questions

Teacher: (Hand each student a different illustration.) Susan, please ask Paolo a question.

Student(s): Is there a car in this picture?

Student(s): Yes, there is a car in that picture. OR No, there isn't a car in that picture.

Student(s): Are there three books in this picture?

Student(s): Yes, there are three books in this picture. OR No, there aren't three books in that picture.

Continue this exercise around the class.