4 Present Simple Dialogues: English Listening and Speaking (A1/A2)
- Alex
- Oct 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 17
Level: beginner (A1/A2)
Dialogues are a great way to practice your English speaking and listening skills. This page has four short dialogues that use the present simple tense. You can use these dialogues in a number of ways. Here are some suggestions:
Listen and read at the same time. This helps you to understand how words are pronounced and how words link together to make phrases and sentences. This is also the easiest way to understand the dialogue.
Listen, read, and repeat. Try to mimic the speakers. You can pause the audio when you do this, but it is not necessary if you are comfortable speaking while the characters are speaking. This helps you to practice your speaking skills.
Listen and repeat without the text. Just listen and repeat what you hear. This boosts comprehension and allows you to practice your speaking skills.
Just listen and answer the comprehension questions.
Just listen. Do you understand what the speakers are saying? If not, read and listen at the same time. Explain the situation in the dialogue in your own words. You can do this orally or by writing your explanation.
Read the dialogue by yourself or with a partner. This gives you simulated English conversation practice. Make sure you know how to pronounce the words and try to speak as fluently as possible.
Are you ready? Let's practice!
English Speaking and Listening Practice: 4 Present Simple Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Lunch with Dad
Comprehension questions
What does the dad say about his burger? How does it taste?
How often does the son come to this restaurant?
What kind of food does Mom not like?
Transcript
Dad: This burger tastes great!
Son: Yeah. I really like this restaurant.
Dad: Do you come here a lot?
Son: I usually come here once or twice a month with my friends. Do you think Mom would like it?
Dad: I don't know. She doesn't really like fast food.
Son: That's too bad.
Dad: It's okay. That just means more food for us!
Dialogue 2: Shopping with Mom
Comprehension questions
What does the girl want?
Why doesn't the mom buy it for her?
What does the mom buy for the girl?
Transcript
Daughter: Mama! I want that doll! Please buy it for me!
Mom: Hmm. How much does it cost?
Daughter: I don't know. Can you check for me?
Mom: Let me see. Oh! Sorry, honey, but I don't have the money for this. It's too expensive.
Daughter: Okay. How about this puzzle? It only costs five dollars.
Mom: Five dollars? I think I can afford that.
Daughter: Yay! Thanks, Mama!
Dialogue 3: Two Friends at the Library
Comprehension questions
What book does the first friend want to get from the library?
What kind of books does the second friend prefer?
Where do the friends have to go to borrow the book?
Transcript
Tom: This book looks good.
Dean: What is it about?
Tom: It's a biography about Albert Einstein.
Dean: Do you like biographies?
Tom: Yes. I read biographies all the time.
Dean: Not me. I prefer novels.
Tom: I love novels, too, but today, I want to read about Albert Einstein.
Dean: Okay. Let's go to the checkout desk.
Dialogue 4: What Time do You Go to Bed?
Comprehension questions
What time does the first friend go to bed?
How long does it usually take her to fall asleep?
What time does she usually get out of bed in the morning?
Transcript
Emma: What time do you usually go to bed?
Tracy: Most days, I go to bed around 10 o'clock.
Emma: Do you fall asleep right away?
Tracy: No. It usually takes me twenty to thirty minutes to fall asleep.
Emma: Oh. And what time do you wake up in the morning?
Tracy: I set my alarm for six o'clock, but usually, I don't get out of bed until six-twenty.
Emma: That's not so bad.
Tracy: No, but I always feel tired in the morning. I think I need to sleep more.
Emma: Yeah. Maybe.
For more listening exercises, go to my listening page.