Imagine your ESL students achieving something in their life be it a small achievement like getting a good grade in their ESL class or even something bigger. They need to celebrate their accomplishments, right? Clearly, they need to participate in conversations celebrating achievements confidently at any moment of their life.
In my experience, students often struggle with finding the right words to start celebratory conversations. Sometimes, they end up saying, “Wow!” or “I’m happy,” etc. However, they can use some other advanced phrases, for example, “I’m honored…” or “Yes, I made it,” etc. in formal situations.
So, how can you help your ESL students have conversations about celebrating achievements?
If you’ve been teaching speaking skills for a while, you know that ESL teachers face at least a few, if not many, challenges while preparing their speaking lessons. One of the primary challenges is selecting the right activity for your ESL speaking class. In order to boost my students’ conversational skills, I often use sample conversations as a role-play activity in my classes.
And guess what? My students truly enjoy them!
To improve your students’ conversational skills when they participate in conversations about celebrating achievements, you should give them ample opportunity to practice real-life conversations through role-plays.
This post has 15 such conversations for students to practice, helping them learn vocabulary and expressions and gain confidence in celebrating achievements in real life.
Table of Contents
Passing the Test (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Two classmates celebrating passing an exam
Sara: Hey Maria, I passed the test!
Maria: Really? Me too!
Sara: Let’s tell everyone!
Maria: Yeah, let’s celebrate!
Sara: Ice cream after school?
Maria: Yes, my treat!
Sara: Thanks, Maria! You’re the best!
Maria: No problem, Sara. Friends help friends!
New Job (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Colleagues congratulating a coworker on their new job
Mr. Lee: Congratulations, Emily, on your new job!
Emily: Thank you, Mr. Lee. I’m excited!
Mr. Lee: You earned it. Well done.
Emily: Thanks for your support, Mr. Lee.
Mr. Lee: You’re welcome, Emily. Keep up the good work.
Emily: I will. I want to learn more.
Mr. Lee: That’s the spirit. Best wishes!
Emily: Thank you, Mr. Lee. I’ll do my best.
Graduation Party (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends celebrating graduation
Tom: We graduated, Sarah!
Sarah: Yes, finally!
Tom: Let’s party tonight!
Sarah: I’m in! Pizza and music?
Tom: Perfect! You read my mind!
Sarah: Thanks for being my study buddy.
Tom: No problem, Sarah. We did it together!
Certificate of Achievement (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Student receiving a certificate from the teacher
Mrs. Garcia: Congratulations, Carlos. Here’s your certificate.
Carlos: Thank you, Mrs. Garcia. I’m happy.
Mrs. Garcia: You worked hard. Keep it up.
Carlos: I will. I want to learn more.
Mrs. Garcia: That’s the attitude. Well done.
Carlos: Thank you, Mrs. Garcia. Gracias.
Birthday Surprise (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends surprising a friend on their birthday
Lucas: Happy birthday, Sofia!
Sofia: Thank you, Lucas! What’s this?
Lucas: A surprise! Open it!
Sofia: Wow! A cake! Thanks, Lucas!
Lucas: Let’s eat and celebrate!
Sofia: Sounds fun! Thanks, everyone!
Lucas: No problem, Sofia. Enjoy!
Graduation Celebration (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends celebrating their graduation from university
Emma: Hey David, we finally graduated! Can you believe it?
David: I know, it feels surreal! Four years went by so quickly.
Emma: We worked hard for this moment. I’m proud of us.
David: Me too. All those late nights studying paid off.
Emma: Definitely. Now, what are your plans for the future?
David: I’m thinking of applying for jobs in marketing. How about you?
Emma: I want to travel for a bit before starting my career.
David: That sounds amazing. Where do you plan to go?
Emma: I’m thinking of Europe first, then maybe Asia. How about you?
David: I’ll probably stay local for now, but who knows? Let’s celebrate tonight!
Job Promotion (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Colleagues discussing a coworker’s recent promotion
Mr. Thompson: Good morning, everyone. I’d like to congratulate Lisa on her promotion.
Lisa: Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I’m honored and excited for the new role.
Mr. Thompson: You’ve shown great dedication and leadership qualities.
Lisa: I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team.
Mr. Thompson: Well said, Lisa. We’re confident you’ll excel in your new position.
Lisa: I’ll do my best to meet expectations and contribute to the company’s success.
Mr. Thompson: That’s the attitude we appreciate. Congratulations once again, Lisa.
Lisa: Thank you, Mr. Thompson, and thank you to everyone for your support.
Award Ceremony (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: A student receiving an award at a school ceremony
Principal Jones: Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we’re honoring Sarah for her outstanding achievements.
Sarah: Thank you, Principal Jones. I’m truly grateful for this recognition.
Principal Jones: Sarah has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics and leadership.
Sarah: I’ve been fortunate to have supportive teachers and classmates.
Principal Jones: Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.
Sarah: I will continue to strive for excellence and contribute to our school community.
Principal Jones: We have no doubt you will, Sarah. Congratulations once again.
Sarah: Thank you, Principal Jones, and thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way.
Completing a Marathon (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends congratulating a friend who completed a marathon
Tom: Hey, Lisa! Congratulations on finishing the marathon!
Lisa: Thanks, Tom! It was tough, but I made it!
Tom: You’re amazing! How do you feel now?
Lisa: Exhausted but proud. It was worth it.
Tom: Definitely! You trained so hard for this moment.
Lisa: I couldn’t have done it without your support.
Tom: Aw, thanks! Let’s celebrate your achievement tonight!
Lisa: Sounds great! I could use a big meal!
Tom: My treat! You deserve it, marathon champ!
Lisa: Thanks, Tom. You’re the best!
Celebrating Academic Success (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Two classmates discussing their recent exam results
Emma: Hey, Jack! Did you get your exam scores back?
Jack: Yeah, I did! I got an A- in Math.
Emma: Wow, that’s fantastic! I got a B in English.
Jack: Nice job! Let’s celebrate at the café after class.
Emma: Sure, that sounds like a great idea.
Jack: My treat for acing Math!
Emma: Thanks, Jack! You’re the best study buddy ever.
Jack: No problem, we make a great team.
Emma: Absolutely, let’s keep up the good work!
Congratulating a Colleague on a Promotion (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Sophia and Daniel, coworkers in a corporate setting, are discussing Daniel’s recent promotion.
Sophia: Daniel, I wanted to extend my heartfelt congratulations on your recent promotion.
Daniel: Thank you so much, Sophia. It means a lot coming from you.
Sophia: Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off. The promotion is well-deserved.
Daniel: I appreciate your kind words. It’s been a journey, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Sophia: I have no doubt you’ll excel in your new role. Your leadership skills are exceptional.
Daniel: I’m eager to take on the challenges ahead and contribute to the team’s success.
Sophia: I have full confidence in your abilities. If you ever need support, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Daniel: Thank you, Sophia. Your support means a great deal to me. I’ll certainly keep that in mind.
Sophia: Here’s to your continued success and growth within the company. Congratulations once again, Daniel.
Daniel: Cheers, Sophia. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of.
Commending a Friend on Academic Achievement (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Liam and Ella, long-time friends catching up over coffee, discuss Ella’s recent academic achievement.
Liam: Ella, I heard you aced your exams! That’s fantastic news!
Ella: Thanks, Liam! It was tough, but I’m thrilled with the results.
Liam: You’ve always been dedicated to your studies. Your hard work paid off big time.
Ella: Yeah, I’ve been burning the midnight oil, but it feels amazing to see the payoff.
Liam: I bet it does! What’s next on your academic journey?
Ella: I’m thinking of pursuing a master’s degree in my field. Still weighing my options though.
Liam: That’s exciting! You’d make a great addition to any program you choose.
Ella: Thanks for the vote of confidence, Liam. It means a lot coming from you.
Liam: Anytime, Ella. You’re destined for great things, and I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
Ella: Cheers to that, Liam! Couldn’t ask for a better friend to share the journey with.
Congratulating a Family Member on Graduation (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: David and Anna, siblings at a family dinner, celebrate Anna’s graduation from university.
David: Anna, I want to formally congratulate you on your graduation. It’s a remarkable achievement.
Anna: Thank you, David. Your support throughout my academic journey has meant the world to me.
David: I’ve witnessed your dedication firsthand. Your commitment to excellence is truly inspiring.
Anna: It hasn’t been easy, but knowing I have your support has kept me motivated.
David: I have no doubt you’ll thrive in whatever path you choose to pursue next.
Anna: I’m excited to explore new opportunities and apply everything I’ve learned.
David: You have a bright future ahead, Anna. I’m proud to call you my sister.
Anna: Your words mean everything to me, David. I couldn’t have done it without you.
David: Here’s to your continued success and all the amazing achievements yet to come.
Anna: Cheers, David. I’m grateful to have you by my side every step of the way.
Sharing Excitement Over a Job Offer (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Sarah and Michael, close friends catching up at a local café, discuss Sarah’s recent job offer.
Sarah: Michael, guess what? I got the job offer I’ve been dreaming of!
Michael: No way! That’s incredible news, Sarah! Congratulations!
Sarah: Thanks! I’m over the moon. It’s been a long journey to get here.
Michael: I’m so happy for you. What’s the role? Tell me all about it.
Sarah: It’s a marketing manager position at a startup. The team seems amazing.
Michael: Wow, that sounds like a perfect fit for you. When do you start?
Sarah: Next month. I can’t wait to dive in and make an impact.
Michael: You’re going to crush it, Sarah. They’re lucky to have you on board.
Sarah: Thanks, Michael. Your support means everything to me.
Michael: Here’s to new beginnings and endless opportunities. Cheers, Sarah!
Congratulating a Friend on a Successful Business Venture (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Sophie and Jake, longtime friends meeting for lunch, discuss Jake’s recent entrepreneurial success.
Sophie: Jake, I heard your business venture took off! Congratulations, that’s amazing!
Jake: Thanks, Sophie! It’s been a wild ride, but I’m thrilled with how things are going.
Sophie: I always knew you had a knack for entrepreneurship. What’s the secret to your success?
Jake: Hard work, perseverance, and a bit of luck, I guess. Plus, having supportive friends like you.
Sophie: Aw, thanks, Jake! I’m proud of you. What’s next for your business?
Jake: We’re expanding into new markets and launching some exciting products. It’s an exciting time.
Sophie: That sounds incredible! I have no doubt you’ll continue to thrive.
Jake: Thanks, Sophie. Your belief in me means a lot. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Sophie: Cheers to your success, Jake! Here’s to many more achievements in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing conversations about celebrating achievements is crucial for ESL learners to improve their English skills. With the help of the provided conversations, both students and teachers can overcome challenges and enhance their communication abilities. Keep practicing and celebrating successes!
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