Stage 1: Build Your Foundation (Week 1–2)

1.1 Learn the Sounds First (Phonetics)

English has 44 sounds (phonemes), which are different from the 26 letters. Start here:

Learn the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) basics — just the vowels and consonants

Focus on sounds that don't exist in your native language (for Hindi/Punjabi speakers: v vs w , th , short/long vowels)

Use: BBC Learning English – Pronunciation (free, online)

Daily Exercise:

Listen to a sound → Repeat it 10 times → Record yourself → Compare

1.2 Master Basic Greetings & Introductions

Start with the most common phrases you'll use every day:

Situation Phrase

Meeting someone "Hi, my name is ___." / "Nice to meet you."

Asking how someone is "How are you?" / "How's it going?"

Saying goodbye "See you later." / "Take care."

Thanking someone "Thank you so much." / "I really appreciate it."

Not understanding "Could you repeat that, please?" / "I didn't catch that."

Practice: Say each phrase out loud 5 times.…