Lesson goals
Understand
Recognise common ways English speakers express numbers in real contexts.
Say
Pronounce dates, decimals, fractions and large numbers clearly.
Use
Give prices, measurements, dates, statistics and calculations naturally.
1. Before you watch
Quick discussion
- Which is harder in English: large numbers, dates, phone numbers or decimals?
- How would you say 1,250, 4 June, 1.25 and 3/4?
- When do you use English numbers at work or in daily life?
Prediction
The video includes six number areas. Tick the ones you expect:
2. Watch the video
First viewing: watch for the main ideas. Do not stop the video to write every example.
Video length: approximately 6 minutes 49 seconds.
3. First-viewing check
Match each language area with what it helps you express.
| Area | Your example |
|---|---|
| Big numbers | |
| Dates / ordinals | |
| Fractions | |
| Decimals | |
| Maths symbols | |
| Zero |
4. Number language toolkit
Dates & ordinals
Written dates and spoken dates are often different. A date written as 4 June is commonly spoken as the fourth of June in British English.
Fractions & decimals
1¼ can be one and a quarter. 1.25 is normally one point two five.
Maths
+ plus, - minus, × times/multiplied by, ÷ divided by.
Zero changes
Depending on context, English may use zero, oh, nil or love. The important skill is recognising the context.
5. Interactive quiz
6. Accuracy challenge
Say these aloud
- £2,750
- 17 September 2026
- 0.75
- 2⅓
- 48 ÷ 6 = 8
- 3,600,000
Then repeat them faster without losing clarity.
Dictation swap
With a partner, choose five values and read them aloud. Your partner writes the exact number. Compare answers.
Include one date, one decimal, one large number, one fraction and one calculation.
7. Real-life speaking
Answer with complete sentences. Give real information where you are comfortable doing so, or invent details.
- When were you born? Say the full date.
- How tall are you?
- What is the population of your town or city, approximately?
- What is an important price you know: rent, a flight, a product or a course?
- Give one statistic connected to your work, country or interests.
- Describe a percentage, fraction or decimal you have used recently.
8. B2 extension: make numbers meaningful
Numbers become more useful when you interpret them, not just pronounce them.
Mini-presentation: Prepare a 60-second explanation containing at least four numbers. For example: company results, sport, travel costs, population, social media use, education or personal finance.
Use language such as approximately, just over, just under, nearly, around, one in four, by 10%, from X to Y.
Teacher mode
Suggested 60-75 minute procedure
- Warm-up and prediction - 8 minutes
- First viewing - 7 minutes
- Pair check - 4 minutes
- Second viewing with pausing - 10 minutes
- Language toolkit and drill - 10 minutes
- Interactive quiz - 8 minutes
- Dictation swap - 10 minutes
- Mini-presentation / feedback - 10-15 minutes
Pronunciation focus
Watch stress and chunking in large numbers; ordinal endings in dates; point before individual decimal digits; and clear contrast between teen and ty numbers.
Fast finisher
Create six deliberately ambiguous number statements. Partners must ask clarification questions such as: “Did you say thirteen or thirty?” and “Do you mean one point five or one and a half?”
Download the class materials
Use the printable Student Worksheet in class or independently. The Teacher Pack contains staging, answer guidance and extension ideas.