Survival English for Absolute Beginners
Australian Survival English for Absolute Beginners
This is not grammar. This is survival. Master these 50 phrases and you can:
- Get food, water, shelter
- Access medical help
- Use transport
- Make friends
- Handle emergencies
- Navigate daily life in Australia
Pattern 1: I need help
- I need help. ← Say this when you're in trouble
- Examples: "I need help. I'm lost." / "I need help. I'm sick."
Pattern 2: I don't understand
- I don't understand. ← When English stops working
- Follow-up: "Please speak slowly." or "Please say again."
Pattern 3: Emergency
- Help! / Police! / Ambulance! ← For real emergencies
- 000 ← The emergency number (learn this)
Pattern 4: Pain/Illness
- I'm sick. / I hurt. / It hurts here.
- Where: "My head hurts." / "My stomach hurts." / "My leg hurts."
Pattern 5: Lost/Confused
- I'm lost. ← You don't know where you are
- Where is...? ← Ask for location
- Examples: "Where is the hospital?" / "Where is the station?"
Pattern 6: I'm + (name/job/state)
- I'm Maria. (Your name)
- I'm from Mexico. (Your country)
- I'm hungry. (Your state)
- I'm tired. (Your condition)
Pattern 7: I have + (noun)
- I have a ticket. (What you possess)
- I have insurance. (Important documents)
- I have a problem. (What's wrong)
Pattern 8: I'm here to + (verb)
- I'm here to see a doctor. (Your purpose)
- I'm here to book an appointment.
- I'm here to pay my rent.
Pattern 9: I need + (noun/to verb)
- I need a doctor. (Request person)
- I need water. (Request thing)
- I need to go home. (State requirement)
- I need to call someone. (State need)
Pattern 10: Do you speak + (language)?
- Do you speak Spanish? ← Find someone who understands you
- Does anyone speak my language?
Pattern 11: How much?
- How much does this cost? ← Before you buy anything
- How much is it? (Shorter version)
- Response to learn: "It costs $10." / "That's $15."
Pattern 12: Can I get...?
- Can I get a coffee? (In café)
- Can I get a ticket? (At station/ticket office)
- Can I get a bag? (In shop)
- Australian version: Can I get a flat white? (Most common coffee)
Pattern 13: I'd like + (noun)
- I'd like water, please. (Polite request for drink)
- I'd like a meal. (In restaurant)
- I'd like to pay.
Pattern 14: Do you have...?
- Do you have bread? (In shop/market)
- Do you have milk?
- Do you have a menu? (In restaurant)
- Do you have free wifi? (In café)
Pattern 15: Can I pay + (method)?
- Can I pay by card? (Most common in Australia)
- Can I pay by cash?
- Response: "Yes, we take cards." / "Cash only."
Pattern 16: Where is...?
- Where is the bathroom? ← Critical in Australia
- Where is the supermarket?
- Where is the bus stop?
- Where is the train station?
Pattern 17: Is there...?
- Is there a café near here? (Check for existence of service)
- Is there a doctor near here?
- Is there a bank near here?
Pattern 18: When is...?
- When is the next bus? ← Essential for transport
- When is lunch time?
- When do you open? (For shops/services)
- When do you close?
Pattern 19: What time is it?
- What time is it? ← Learn to read Australian time (24-hour clock used sometimes)
- What time do I need to be there?
Pattern 20: How long does it take?
- How long does it take to the city? (Travel time)
- How long is it? (Duration of event/process)
- Response: "About 20 minutes." / "One hour."
Pattern 21: I'm gonna + (verb)
- I'm gonna go now. (Informal future - very common)
- I'm gonna wait here.
- I'm gonna come back later.
Pattern 26: There is something wrong with...
- There is something wrong with the shower. (Broken thing)
- There is something wrong with the wifi.
- There is something wrong with my booking.
Pattern 27: It's + (adjective) + (intensifier)
- It's way too hot. (Too much of something)
- It's way too expensive.
- It's too cold.
- It's too loud.
Pattern 28: This doesn't work
- This doesn't work. (Simple complaint)
- The light doesn't work.
- The door doesn't lock.
Pattern 29: I'm sorry / Excuse me
- I'm sorry, I don't understand. (Apology + clarification)
- Excuse me, I have a question. (Getting attention)
- Sorry, what did you say? (Ask to repeat)
Pattern 30: Please & Thank you
- Please. ← Use with requests
- Thank you. / Thanks. ← Say after someone helps
- Cheers. ← Australian informal "thanks" (very common)
- No worries. ← Australian "you're welcome" or "it's okay"
Pattern 31: How are you?
- How are you? ← Greeting (they expect you to answer briefly)
- I'm good, thanks. ← Standard response
- I'm tired. ← Honest response
- How are you going? ← Very Australian version
Pattern 32: Nice to meet you
- Nice to meet you. ← When you meet someone new
- What's your name? ← Ask for their name
- My name is [name].
Pattern 33: See you
- See you. ← Casual goodbye
- See you later.
- See you tomorrow. (If making plans)
Pattern 34: Good/bad events
- That's good. (Positive reaction)
- That's not good. (Negative reaction)
- That's terrible. (Very bad)
- That's great! (Very good)
Pattern 35: Aussie Greetings
- G'day! ← Most Australian greeting (but can seem informal to foreigners)
- Mate. ← Australian will call you this. It's friendly, not formal.
- How ya going? ← Very casual "how are you?"
- Yeah, nah. ← Means "no" (confusing but very Australian)
Pattern 36: Aussie Locations
- The servo. = petrol/gas station (learn this)
- Bottle-o. = bottle shop (where you buy alcohol)
- The shops. = supermarket/shopping center
- The footy. = Australian football
Pattern 37: Aussie Money Talk
- That's a rip-off. (Too expensive)
- That's cheap. (Good price)
- I'm broke. (No money)
- Reckon. = "I think" (very Australian: "I reckon it's good.")
Pattern 38: Aussie Weather
- It's boiling. (Very hot)
- It's freezing. (Very cold)
- It's beautiful. (Nice weather)
- There's no shade. (Be prepared—Australia is hot)
These should be memorized word-for-word. Don't translate them—just repeat until automatic:
Emergency & Safety
- "I'm sorry, I don't understand. Please speak slowly."
- "I need help."
- "Where is the nearest hospital?"
- "Please call an ambulance."
- "I'm lost. Can you help me?"
Daily Survival
- "How much does this cost?"
- "Can I pay by card?"
- "Where is the bathroom?"
- "Where is the train station?"
- "When is the next bus?"
- "What time do you open?"
- "Do you have...?"
Social/Connection
- "I'm sorry, my English is not good." (Australians will help)
- "Could you speak more slowly, please?"
- "What does that mean?"
- "Nice to meet you."
- "Thank you very much." / "Cheers!"
Your Two Best Friends
#1: "Excuse me"
- Opens any conversation in Australia
- Used 100 times a day
- Example: "Excuse me, where is the toilet?" (Australians say "toilet," not "bathroom")
#2: "Sorry"
- Not just an apology—used like "excuse me"
- Example: "Sorry, what did you say?" / "Sorry, can you help me?"
The Magic Phrase: "I'm sorry, I don't speak English very well. Can you help me?"
- This single sentence will unlock help from almost any Australian
- They WILL slow down and try to help
- Use it constantly
Cultural Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't be too formal — Australians are casual. "G'day mate" is more Australian than "Good morning, sir."
- Don't over-apologize — Saying sorry too much confuses Australians. Apologize once, then move on.
- Don't be quiet — Ask for help. Australians respect directness.
- Don't assume the accent — Australian English is FAST and slurred. Tell them to slow down without shame.
Survival Rules
- Repeat everything — If you don't understand, ask again. And again. That's normal.
- Write things down — If you really don't understand, ask them to write it.
- Use Google Translate — No shame in showing your phone. Australians do it too.
- Ask for directions on the street — Australians are helpful and won't think you're stupid.
Week 1: Emergency & Basics
- Patterns 1-5: Help, understanding, emergency
- Patterns 6-7: Identity & needs
- Pattern 29: Sorry & excuse me
Week 2: Getting Food & Moving Around
- Patterns 11-17: Transactions, location
- Pattern 30: Please & thank you
Week 3: Time & Navigation
- Patterns 18-25: Time, location, directions
- Pattern 25: Excuse me technique
Week 4: Problems & Social
- Patterns 26-34: Complaints, social basics
- Pattern 35-38: Australian specific
Week 5+: Master the Magic Phrases
- Practice the critical phrases until they're automatic
- Start adding adjectives: "big," "small," "good," "bad"
- Start combining patterns
Day 1-7: Memorize sections 1-2
- Practice in mirror: "I'm Maria. I'm from Mexico. I'm hungry. I need help."
Day 8-14: Add sections 3-4
- Practice: "How much does this cost? Can I pay by card? Where is the bathroom?"
Day 15-21: Add sections 5-6
- Practice: "Excuse me, where is the train station? It's way too hot here."
Day 22-28: Add sections 7-8
- Practice with actual Australians: "G'day, nice to meet you!"
Day 29+: Combine everything
- Have complete mini-conversations using all sections
Australians are known for:
- Being helpful to immigrants — You will get help
- Speaking casually — Don't be intimidated by slang
- Appreciating effort — Trying English = respect
- Directness — They won't judge your mistakes
- Friendliness — "Mate" culture is genuine
USE THESE ADVANTAGES. Australians WANT to help. Don't be shy about asking for help, speaking slowly, or asking to repeat things.