Family and Relationships

January 1, 2025

More Than Just Mom and Dad: Teaching Real-World English Through Family & Relationships

When English learners talk about their families, they’re not just completing an exercise in a textbook—they’re preparing for real conversations that happen every day, all over the world. Whether it’s in a classroom, at a job interview, chatting with a new neighbor, or introducing themselves at a community event, family and relationships is one of the most personal and practical topics students can explore in their language journey.

Think about it: ‘Tell me about yourself’ is one of the most common questions in interviews and casual introductions. The first thing many people include? Details about their family—who they live with, how many siblings they have, or what role they play at home. Learning how to describe family roles, household routines, and personal relationships gives students the language to connect with others and speak with confidence in all kinds of real-world settings.

And it doesn’t stop there. Students might need to explain a family responsibility to a manager when requesting time off. They might want to describe their children during a school meeting or chat about holiday traditions at a social gathering. Even small talk often starts with a personal detail: ‘My son just started school,’ or ‘We’re having a family dinner this weekend.’ These everyday exchanges are opportunities to practice English in meaningful ways—and students will be ready for them if they’ve had the chance to rehearse in class.

Talking about relationships also builds emotional fluency. Students can practice expressing support, discussing problems, or explaining how they solve disagreements. These are skills they’ll use in friendships, at work, and in their communities. It’s not just about vocabulary—it’s about navigating life in a new language.

As a teacher, giving your students the tools to talk about their families helps them express who they are, where they come from, and what matters most to them.

Add these paragraphs to your teaching library and make space in your lessons for the kinds of conversations that truly prepare students for life—in English and beyond.

More Text Packs

Pack	Paragraph	Content
82	Family and relationships	In a family, everyone has a job. Parents look after the children, cook meals, and go to work. Children go to school, do their homework, and help with small chores like setting the table. Everyone in the family helps each other to keep the home happy and safe.
82	Types of Relationships	We have different relationships in our lives. We have friends who we like to play and talk with. Some people have a boyfriend or girlfriend they love. In our family, we have parents, brothers, sisters, and sometimes grandparents. These are our closest relationships.
82	Communication	Talking to each other is important in a family. We say "good morning" when we wake up and "good night" before we sleep. When we have a problem, we talk to our family to find a solution. We also share good news and feelings with our family.
82	Family Traditions	Families have special traditions they celebrate together, which bring everyone closer. For example, some families have big dinners on holidays like Christmas or New Year, where everyone gathers to eat and enjoy time together. They might also celebrate birthdays with parties, where they sing, eat cake, and give presents. Sometimes, families go on trips together during these special times, creating fun and happy memories. These traditions are important because they help everyone feel connected and loved, making the family feel like a safe and happy place.
82	Conflict Resolution	Sometimes, people in a family can disagree or fight about things. It’s normal, but it’s important to say sorry and talk about the problem to make things better. When someone feels hurt, they need to tell the other person how they feel. Listening to each other helps everyone understand the problem and find a way to fix it. After talking, the family can be happy and close again, like they were before the disagreement. Talking and listening are very important for keeping the family strong and connected.