Parent-teacher conference questions: what to say in English
You sit down with your child's teacher and she says hello. This is what to say, in simple English. Say who you are, and ask how your child is doing in class. Listen to the good news and say a short fact about your child at home. Hear about the hard parts, like math, and say what you will do to help. Answer the teacher's questions about how your child feels about school.
Then ask the most useful question of all: "What can I do at home to help?" Next, talk about homework and grades: say how long homework takes, answer the news about reading and math, and say how you will help. Last, talk about a problem: stay calm when you hear about talking in class, or a push at recess, agree to extra help in math, and ask how you will know if things get better. Listen to each line, then practice with Ms. Haddad in the game.
Useful phrases
Nice to meet you, Ms. Haddad. How is Leo doing in class?
Say hello, then ask your question. Use your child's name.
That is good to hear. He reads to us at home too.
Tell the teacher one fact about your child at home.
I see. We will practice math together at home.
"We will..." says what you plan to do to help.
I am happy to hear that. He talks about his friends a lot.
A warm answer to good news, with one short fact.
He practices English with us every day, which is wonderful.
Say what you do at home, then show you are glad with "which is wonderful".
Yes, he likes school. He talks about his art class.
Answer "Yes" or "No" and add one fact.
Yes. What can I do at home to help Leo?
A useful question for any teacher. You can also say "How can I help at home?"
Thank you, Ms. Haddad. We will read together tonight.
Thank the teacher and say what you will do.
I would like to talk about Leo's homework and grades.
Say clearly what you want to talk about. Use your child's name.
I see. Some nights it takes him an hour.
Tell the teacher what you see at home, with one fact.
I am glad about the A. Math has been hard for him at home too.
A grade is a letter. A is very good and C is average.
He works alone, but he asks me for help sometimes.
Give a clear answer with one fact about your child.
I am sorry. I will check his backpack every night.
Say sorry in a short way, then say your plan.
Yes, I will sign it and send it back on Monday.
A report card shows a child's grades. Say when you will send the paper back.
How can Leo get better grades in school?
Ask your main question in a simple way. It works for any child and any subject.
Thank you, Ms. Haddad. Leo will explain his homework to me tonight.
Thank the teacher and say what you will do.
Of course, please tell me what is happening.
Be calm and open when the teacher has hard news. "Please tell me what is happening" invites the teacher to explain.
I understand, and he talks a lot at home, too.
Say you understand, then add one fact from home. This helps the teacher.
That is not okay. I will talk to him about it tonight.
Say clearly that it is not okay, then say what you will do to help.
I did not know that. He never tells me about it.
A polite answer to news that is new to you. Then you can ask for more details.
Yes, please. He can stay after school on Tuesdays.
Extra help means a small group or more lessons. Say yes and name the day.
I agree. A seat near you may help him listen.
Agree with a plan and say why it can help.
Yes, how will I know if things get better?
A useful question for any problem. You can also say "How will we know if Leo is doing better?"
Thank you, Ms. Haddad. I will watch for your email every Friday.
Thank the teacher and say what you will do.
Level 1 (A2): Meet the teacher
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Hello, I'm Ms. Haddad, Leo's teacher. What would you like to know?”
Good answer: “Nice to meet you, Ms. Haddad. How is Leo doing in class?”
Why: Say hello first, then ask your question. "How is Leo doing in class?" is a clear, polite question for the teacher.
Avoid: “Hi. Is he good?” (too short) · “Tell me the truth. Is Leo bad in your class?” (too rude)
“Leo is doing well in reading. He reads a new book every week.”
Good answer: “That is good to hear. He reads to us at home too.”
Why: Tell the teacher one fact about your child at home. Teachers like to hear how a child acts outside school.
Avoid: “OK. I guess he reads books. I do not really know much.” (too vague) · “What time does school start? I am worried about being late.” (off topic)
“Math is a little hard for Leo right now. Math games at home can help.”
Good answer: “I see. We will practice math together at home.”
Why: Show that you want to help. "We will..." tells the teacher what you plan to do, in simple words.
Avoid: “That is terrible. Maybe he is not smart.” (too negative) · “Maybe. I will think about math games, but I am not sure.” (too vague)
“Leo has two good friends, and he is kind to the other children.”
Good answer: “I am happy to hear that. He talks about his friends a lot.”
Why: "I am happy to hear that" is a warm way to answer good news. Add one short fact to keep the talk going.
Avoid: “Friends are fine, I guess. I do not know any of them very well.” (too vague) · “When is the next school holiday? We would like to plan a trip.” (off topic)
“He is learning new English words fast, and he is not afraid to try.”
Good answer: “He practices English with us every day, which is wonderful.”
Why: When you hear good news, say what you do at home and that you are glad: "which is wonderful". A short fact is better than one word.
Avoid: “Maybe. I think his English is not very good, so I worry.” (too vague) · “Yes, thank you. His English is fine.” (needs more detail)
“Does Leo like school? What does he say at home?”
Good answer: “Yes, he likes school. He talks about his art class.”
Why: The teacher asks you a question too. Answer with "Yes" and one fact. "He talks about..." tells what your child says at home.
Avoid: “No, he hates school. He never wants to come.” (too negative) · “Yes, he likes it.” (needs more detail)
“Is there anything else you would like to ask me?”
Good answer: “Yes. What can I do at home to help Leo?”
Why: Use this chance to ask for help. "What can I do at home to help...?" is a useful question for any teacher.
Avoid: “Not really. Maybe I will ask someone else later.” (too vague) · “Yes. Where can I park my car near the school?” (off topic)
“Here is one idea: read together for ten minutes each night.”
Good answer: “Thank you, Ms. Haddad. We will read together tonight.”
Why: Thank the teacher and say what you will do. "We will..." shows you listened and you will try the idea.
Avoid: “OK. Bye.” (too short) · “Reading again? Every teacher says that, but it never works.” (too rude)
Level 2 (B1): Homework and grades
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Thank you for coming. What would you like to talk about?”
Good answer: “I would like to talk about Leo's homework and grades.”
Why: Say clearly what you want to talk about. "I would like to talk about..." is a polite way to start the meeting.
Avoid: “Everything, I guess. I am not sure where to start, to be honest.” (too vague) · “I only have ten minutes. Just the grades.” (too rude)
“Leo gets homework four nights a week. It should take twenty minutes.”
Good answer: “I see. Some nights it takes him an hour.”
Why: Tell the teacher what you see at home. "Some nights it takes him..." is a clear fact, so the teacher can help.
Avoid: “That is too much homework for a child. It is not fair.” (too negative) · “Does the school have a bus? His ride is often late.” (off topic)
“Right now, Leo has an A in reading and a C in math.”
Good answer: “I am glad about the A. Math has been hard for him at home too.”
Why: A grade is a letter: A is very good and C is average. Answer the good news, then say what you see at home about the hard part.
Avoid: “A C is terrible. He must try much harder, and he must stop playing.” (too negative) · “Okay. Grades are just numbers, I think.” (too casual)
“How does Leo do with his homework at home?”
Good answer: “He works alone, but he asks me for help sometimes.”
Why: Give a clear answer with one fact. "He works alone, but..." shows what he can do and where he needs help.
Avoid: “It is different every day. Hard to say.” (too vague) · “He is fine, I think. No problem.” (needs more detail)
“Leo missed two homework papers this month.”
Good answer: “I am sorry. I will check his backpack every night.”
Why: Say sorry in a short way and say what you will do. "I will check..." is a clear plan. A backpack is a school bag.
Avoid: “That is not my fault. He says he gave them to you.” (too rude) · “Maybe he forgot. Kids forget things, so I really do not know.” (too vague)
“Report cards come home next week. Please sign and return the paper.”
Good answer: “Yes, I will sign it and send it back on Monday.”
Why: A report card shows a child's grades for a school term. The school needs the signed paper back, so say when you will return it.
Avoid: “Maybe. I will see if I have time to look.” (too vague) · “Sure, whatever. I will do it sometime, maybe next week.” (too casual)
“Do you have any more questions?”
Good answer: “How can Leo get better grades in school?”
Why: Ask your main question in a simple way. "How can Leo get better grades in school?" works for any child and any subject.
Avoid: “Not really. I will look at the report card alone, at home.” (does not ask your question) · “Yes. Can Leo join the school soccer team this year?” (off topic)
“One tip: ask Leo to explain his homework to you each night.”
Good answer: “Thank you, Ms. Haddad. Leo will explain his homework to me tonight.”
Why: Thank the teacher and say what you will do. "Leo will explain..." shows you listened and you will try the idea.
Avoid: “OK, thanks. We will see.” (too short) · “I don't think that will work. He never wants to talk about school.” (too negative)
Level 3 (B2): Talk about a problem
8 lines in the order you hear them. Each game picks 5 of them, so every game is a little different.
“Thank you for coming. I want to talk with you about Leo.”
Good answer: “Of course, please tell me what is happening.”
Why: Stay calm and open. "Please tell me what is happening" shows you are ready to listen, even if the news is hard.
Avoid: “Again? Every time I come here, you only complain about Leo.” (too rude) · “Okay. Go ahead.” (too short)
“Leo talks a lot in class, and the other children cannot listen.”
Good answer: “I understand, and he talks a lot at home, too.”
Why: Show that you hear the problem. "I understand" is calm, and one fact from home helps the teacher see the whole child.
Avoid: “It is not Leo's fault. The other children also talk, so why only him?” (too negative) · “Maybe the room is too hot. Can you open a window?” (off topic)
“Last week, Leo pushed a boy at recess.”
Good answer: “That is not okay. I will talk to him about it tonight.”
Why: Do not blame others. Say it is not okay and say what you will do. "I will talk to him..." shows you take it seriously.
Avoid: “Boys push each other. It is normal, and I would not worry.” (gives the wrong idea) · “I am sure that boy started it. Ask the other parents.” (too rude)
“Sometimes Leo does not finish his work. He gets bored.”
Good answer: “I did not know that. He never tells me about it.”
Why: "I did not know that" is an honest, polite answer to new news. Then say one fact about what you see at home.
Avoid: “That is normal.” (too short) · “Then give him harder work. That is your job.” (too rude)
“Leo could use extra help in math. We have a small group after school on Tuesdays.”
Good answer: “Yes, please. He can stay after school on Tuesdays.”
Why: Extra help means more lessons with the teacher in a small group. Say yes clearly and give the day.
Avoid: “No, he does not need help. He just needs more play time.” (gives the wrong idea) · “Maybe. I will think about it, but I am not sure.” (too vague)
“At school, I will move Leo's seat near me. That often helps.”
Good answer: “I agree. A seat near you may help him listen.”
Why: "I agree" shows you support a plan. Then say in your own words why it can help.
Avoid: “Do not punish him by moving him. He will feel ashamed.” (too negative) · “Fine, if you think so.” (too blunt)
“Do you have any more questions?”
Good answer: “Yes, how will I know if things get better?”
Why: Ask the question that matters most to you. "How will I know if things get better?" works for any problem at school.
Avoid: “No. I understand everything now, so we are done.” (does not ask your question) · “Yes. Can you tell me about the school lunch menu?” (off topic)
“I will email you every Friday, and we can meet again in a month.”
Good answer: “Thank you, Ms. Haddad. I will watch for your email every Friday.”
Why: Thank the teacher and say what you will do. "I will watch for your email" shows you will follow the plan.
Avoid: “Fine. Send an email.” (too short) · “Cool, email me. Whatever works for you, I guess.” (too casual)
Questions and answers
What do you say at a parent-teacher conference?
Start with a polite hello and say who you are: "Nice to meet you, Ms. Haddad. I'm Leo's mother." Then ask your main question: "How is Leo doing in class?" Listen, say a short fact about your child at home, and end with "What can I do at home to help?" This game teaches these steps. Level 1 is meeting the teacher and asking how your child is doing. Level 2 is about homework and grades. Level 3 is about a problem, like behavior in class, and extra help.
What questions should I ask at a parent-teacher conference?
Good simple questions are: "How is my child doing in class?", "What is my child good at?", "What is hard for my child?", and "What can I do at home to help?" Pick three to five questions that matter most, and ask your top question first, because the meeting is often short.
How do I ask the teacher how my child is doing?
Say: "How is Leo doing in class?" Use your child's name. You can also say "How is my daughter doing in school?"
How do I ask how to help my child at home?
Say: "What can I do at home to help?" or "How can I help my son with math?" Teachers are happy to hear this question and often give you one easy idea, like reading together for ten minutes each night.
How long is a parent-teacher conference?
Many conferences are short, about 10 to 15 minutes. Write your questions on a paper before you go, and ask the most important one first.
How do I ask about my child's homework?
Say what you see at home and ask your question: "Some nights it takes him an hour." Then ask, "How much homework should he do each night?" Teachers want to know if homework is too long or too hard.
What do grades like A, B and C mean?
In many U.S. schools, A is very good, B is good, C is average, D is low and F means not passing. Some schools use numbers or words like "meets the goal" instead. Ask the teacher what the grades mean in your child's school.
What is a report card?
A report card is a paper or online page with your child's grades for a school term. Some schools ask a parent to sign it. Ask the teacher if you have a question about a grade.
How do I ask how my child can get better grades?
Say: "How can Leo get better grades in school?" Use your child's name. The teacher will often give you one easy idea, like asking your child to explain the homework to you each night.
What do you say when the teacher talks about a behavior problem?
Stay calm and listen. Say "I understand" or "I did not know that," then say what you will do: "I will talk to him about it tonight." Do not blame the teacher or other children. Teachers want to work with you, so ask, "How can we help him together?"
How do I ask for extra help for my child at school?
Say: "Can Leo get extra help in math?" or "What help does the school have after school?" Many schools have small groups, tutoring or reading help. If the teacher offers it, say yes and say which day your child can stay.
How do I find out if things are getting better?
Ask: "How will I know if things get better?" Many teachers will agree to send an email or a note each week, and to meet again in a month. Write the plan on a paper so you remember it.
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Play Say It Right: all 26 real-life situations.
This game teaches English words and phrases for a parent-teacher conference. Schools in each state and district have their own rules and forms, so ask your child's school if you need help or an interpreter. Official information: Understood: parent-teacher conference questions to ask.