Let’s talk about families.

Duration: 50 minutes.

Let’s take a look at today’s lesson

This lesson will talk about family. We will look at some phrases used to talk about our family. After, I will ask you some questions about your family.

Lesson Key: (L) = Listening (U) = Understanding. (R) = Reading.

Let’s talk about our family in English. If you think of any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask me, too. The main thing is to practice speaking English.

Here’s some common vocabulary and expressions to talk about your family!

To look like

To look like means to resemble someone physically or to be similar in appearance to someone.

To take after

To take after means to look or behave (act) like someone older than you, in your family.

Like father, like son

In many cases, a son’s character or behaviour closely resembles (is similar to) that of his father.

To be named after

This means to give someone the same name, usually the same first, name, as an older family member.

To be close to

To be close to means that you have a close relationship that cannot easily be broken.

To start a family

You might hear your parents ask you, “When are you going to start a family? I want grandchildren!”

Let’s take a look at, some nouns used to describe our family members.

Word	Meaning
Mother	A female parent. You are your mother’s child.
Father	A male parent. You are your farther’s child.
Sister	A female sibling. You have the same parents.
Brother	A male sibling. You have the same parents.
Sister-in-law	The woman married to your brother. Also, the sister of your spouse.
Brother-in-law	The man married to your sister. Also, the brother of your spouse.
Aunt	The sister of your father or mother. Also, the wife of your uncle.
Uncle	The brother of your father or mother. Also, the husband of your aunt
Great aunt	The aunt of your mother or father.
Great uncle	The uncle of your mother or father.
Grandmother	The mother of your mother or father.
Grandfather	The father of your mother or father.
Great Grandfather	The father of your grandmother or grandfather.
Great Grandmother	The mother of your grandmother or grandfather.
Nephew	The son of your brother or sister. Also, the son of your spouse’s brother or sister.
Niece	The daughter of your brother or sister. Also, the daughter of your spouse’s brother or sister.
Cousin	A child of your uncle or aunt.
First cousin	A child of your cousin.

Questions about families, with some examples of answers in simple and advanced English.

How many children does the average family have in your country?

Simple English The average family in my country has [insert number] children.

Advanced English: The number of children in the average family in my country varies depending on various factors such as cultural, social, economic, and political. However, according to the latest census, the average number of children per family is [insert number]. This number has been declining over the years due to factors such as increased access to education and family planning, urbanization, and changing cultural attitudes towards family size. Additionally, there are regional variations in family size, with families in rural areas tending to have more children than those in urban areas.

Are the roles of men and women in the family changing in Brazil?

Simple English: Women are becoming more educated and joining the workforce, while men are becoming more involved in childcare and household duties.

Advanced English: In recent decades, Brazil has undergone significant social and economic changes that have impacted traditional gender roles within the family. Women have achieved greater educational and professional opportunities, and have gained more autonomy and decision-making power. This has led to changes in the division of household labour, child-rearing responsibilities, and the balance of power within relationships. Men are increasingly taking on more domestic responsibilities and becoming more involved in childcare, while women are increasingly working outside the home and contributing to the family income. However, there are still significant cultural and structural barriers to gender equality, particularly for women from marginalized communities.

Do you have a large family or a small family?
Do you have a big “extended family” (including aunts, uncles, and cousins)?
Do you resemble (look like) one of your parents or grandparents?
How many children does the average family have in your country?
How well do you get along with your brothers and sisters?
Who makes the big decisions in your family?
What are some rules you have in your family?
Are the roles of men and women in the family changing in Brazil?
What are some common problems that families have in Brazil?
How can these issues be solved?

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash