Australian English Basics: 

Lesson Slides: 

Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 3! In our previous lessons, we talked about packing your suitcase and navigating essential rules. We learned to use Modals like can, should, must, and have to (e.g., “You must declare food,” “You can take an airport bus”), and to ask necessary WH questions (e.g., “What should I bring?”). Now, it’s time to pack the most important thing for living in Australia: your language kit!

Australian English (Aussie English) is unique. Knowing the local greetings, expressions, and slang is just as important as knowing the immigration laws. Australian speakers often use a different word for common items (like thongs instead of flip-flops) and have very casual ways of greeting people (G'day, mate!).

In this lesson, we will focus on:

1. Common Australian Greetings and Expressions (The 'How to Say Hello' kit).

2. Key Vocabulary Differences between Australian English and US/UK English: Cafe, Sport/Leisure/.

3. Practice review with role plays

By the end of this session, you will be much more prepared for those first casual conversations when you land!

The words in the table outline some of the most common famous Australian greetings, as well as how they are said in US and UK English. Please note that Australians tend to use all versions listed. 

Local Tip: 

"G'day" meaning "good day" or "hello", is an iconic expression in Australia. However, depending on the age, region, gender you may hear different expressions. Many Australians feel "g'day" to be too old fashioned, male, and not genuine. Watch the video below to see how different age groups greet each other in Australia, learn the alternatives. 

• Where there any new ways of saying "hello" in Australia from the video that you haven't learned?

• Do you think saying "g'day" more common for older our younger Australians?

Now that we have talked about common greetings in Australian English next  we will focus on some common Australian Vocabulary by common contexts or topics. Let's focus on the categories Cafe/Eating Out and Sport or Leisure:

Eating Out

Leisure and Sports

Let's have a short review quiz, see below: 

Let's practice reading the Australian Vocabulary in context. Read below:

☕ Role-Play 1: Ordering a Coffee

Context: Ordering a coffee and a snack from Alex, a barista at a local café.

Alex: "G'day! What can I get for you this morning?"
You: "G'day! I'll take a large Flat White, please. And can I grab a biccy with that?" Alex: "No worries, mate. Is that for here or takeaway?"
You: "It's takeaway for me today, thanks."
Alex: "That'll be eleven fifty. Enjoy your Flat White!"
You: "Perfect. Here you go. Cheers!"
Alex: "Cheers! Have a good one."

🏏 Role-Play 2: Preparing for the Outdoors

Context: Getting ready for a beach trip and a barbie with your Aussie flatmate, Sam.

Sam: "How ya goin'? Ready for the beach? Don't forget your gear!"
You: "I'm good, thanks! Just making sure I've got my bathers and my sunnies. The forecast is for twenty-eight degrees!"
Sam: "Fair dinkum! That's a cracker day! Chuck your thongs in the bag too, we don't want burnt feet on the sand."
You: "Good idea. I'll bring the ball for a quick game of footy when we get there."
Sam: "Legend! We should hit the servo on the way to grab some snags for the Barbie tonight."
You: "Sounds great. See you out the front!"
Sam: "No worries! See ya.