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Related to hair and haircut

Learn key haircut and hair-care words, then practice using some and any, salon instructions, and simple requests. You will also read and listen to a salon conversation, discuss haircut preferences, and write about a haircut experience.

A2 Elementary60 minutesEnglishTeacher

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1. Image

Today’s lesson is about hair and haircuts. Look at the salon scene and learn useful words for talking about style and care.

Teacher note: Today’s lesson is about hair and haircuts. Look at the salon scene and learn useful words for talking about style and care.

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2. Vocabulary

  • haircut
    the act of cutting someone’s hair
  • trim
    a small amount cut from the hair
  • layers
    different lengths in the hair
  • bangs
    hair cut straight across the forehead
  • fringe
    British English word for bangs
  • stylist
    a person who cuts or styles hair
  • hairdresser
    a person who cuts and styles hair
  • short
    not long
  • medium-length
    between short and long
  • long
    reaching far down
  • curly
    with round or spiral shape
  • straight
    not curly
  • wavy
    with soft waves
  • shampoo
    soap for washing hair
  • blow-dry
    dry hair with warm air

Teacher note: A vocabulary set for talking about haircuts, hair length, texture, and salon services at A2 level.

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3. Grammar

Countable and Uncountable Hair Nouns

Some hair words are countable. We can use a / an, one / two, and many with them.

  • a hair = one strand of hair
  • a haircut = one service or one style change
  • a strand = one thin piece of hair
  • a layer = one level in a haircut

Some hair words are uncountable. We do not say a hair when we mean hair on the head in general.

  • hair
  • shampoo
  • conditioner
  • styling gel

With uncountable nouns, we use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences and questions.

Form

Positive sentences

  • I have some hair on my shoulders.
  • She uses some shampoo every morning.
  • The stylist added some layers.
  • There is some gel on the shelf.

Negative sentences

  • I do not have any shampoo at home.
  • He does not have any hair on top.
  • We do not want any more layers.
  • There is not any conditioner in the bottle.

Questions

  • Do you have any hair products?
  • Is there any shampoo left?
  • Do you want any layers?
  • Are there any hairs on your jacket?

Important note

  • hair is usually uncountable when we talk about it in general: My hair is long.
  • hairs is countable when we mean individual strands: There are two hairs on my coat.

Examples

  • My hair is dry, so I need some conditioner.
  • I have some gray hairs.
  • Do you have any hair gel?
  • There is some hair on the floor.
  • I do not want any bangs today.
  • She has many hairs on her brush. / She has a lot of hair on her brush.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I have a hair.
    Correct: I have some hair. / I have a hair only when you mean one strand.
  • Wrong: Do you have some shampoo?
    Correct: Do you have any shampoo?
  • Wrong: I don’t have some conditioner.
    Correct: I don’t have any conditioner.
  • Wrong: Hair are long.
    Correct: Hair is long.

Quick tip

Use some for a small, not exact amount in positive sentences. Use any in questions and negative sentences. Remember: hair is usually uncountable, but a hair / hairs can be countable when you mean one or more separate strands.

Teacher note: Clear A2 grammar explanation on countable and uncountable hair nouns, with some/any usage, examples, and common mistakes.

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4. Text

At the Salon

Mina goes to a small salon near her office after work. She has an important meeting tomorrow, so she wants her hair to look neat and fresh. When she arrives, the stylist smiles and asks what she would like. Mina says she does not want a big change. She only wants a small trim and a clean shape around her face.

First, the stylist washes Mina’s hair and combs it carefully. Then he checks the length and asks if she wants the back a little shorter. Mina says yes, but only a little. She likes her hair medium-length, and she wants it to stay easy to manage. After the cut, the stylist dries her hair and shows her the result in the mirror.

Mina is happy because the style looks simple, tidy, and natural. She pays at the desk and leaves the salon feeling confident.

Context

In many salons, the stylist asks about the customer’s daily routine, face shape, and how much time they want to spend on hair care. A short, neat haircut is often a good choice for busy adults.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why does Mina want a haircut before tomorrow?
  2. What kind of change does she want?
  3. What does the stylist do before the cut?
  4. Why is Mina happy at the end?

Teacher note: Short reading about an adult visiting a salon for a simple haircut and conversation with the stylist.

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5

5. Multiple choice

Read the story and choose the best answer for each question.

1.

Where does the customer go in the story?

2.

What does the stylist do before cutting the hair?

3.

What kind of haircut does the customer want?

4.

What style does the customer choose?

5.

How much does the customer pay?

Teacher note: Reading comprehension quiz about a salon visit, focusing on sequence, price, and hairstyle choices.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Q1A. To a salon
  • Q2A. Washes it and combs it
  • Q3A. A short trim
  • Q4A. Straight and tidy
  • Q5A. Twenty dollars

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6. Listening

Your browser does not support audio playback.

Listen to the conversation. Then answer the questions.

  1. What time does the customer want the appointment?
  2. What kind of haircut does the customer ask for?
  3. How much hair does the customer want to cut off?
  4. What does the stylist ask about the sides?
  5. What extra service does the customer want?
  6. What does the stylist tell the customer to do at the end?
Teacher audio script
Leah: Good afternoon. Hair Studio, how can I help you?
Ben: Hello. I’d like to make an appointment for a haircut.
Leah: Of course. What day works for you?
Ben: Tomorrow after work, please.
Leah: We have a free time at six thirty.
Ben: Yes, that’s good.
Leah: What would you like today? A full haircut or just a trim?
Ben: Just a trim. I want to keep it a little longer on top.
Leah: Okay. Do you want the back and sides shorter?
Ben: Yes, please. Not too short, just neat.
Leah: Would you like a shampoo before the cut?
Ben: Yes, that would be nice.
Leah: Great. When you arrive, please sit in the chair and I’ll be with you soon.
Ben: Thank you. See you tomorrow.

Teacher note: A short A2 listening dialogue in a hair salon about booking a trim and confirming the result.

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7. True / false

Listen to the dialogue and decide if each statement is true or false.

  • The customer asks for a haircut appointment.

  • The customer wants a very dramatic new style.

  • The stylist mentions a wash and blow-dry service.

  • The customer wants to keep the hair very long.

  • The stylist gives a time for the appointment.

Teacher note: True/false listening check about a short salon conversation on booking and haircut preferences.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • 1. The customer asks for a haircut appointment.True
  • 2. The customer wants a very dramatic new style.False
  • 3. The stylist mentions a wash and blow-dry service.True
  • 4. The customer wants to keep the hair very long.False
  • 5. The stylist gives a time for the appointment.True

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8. Speaking

Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner

Pair Speaking: Haircut Role-Play

Work with a partner. One person is the customer and the other is the stylist. Keep your sentences short and clear. After each round, change roles.

Useful phrases

  • I’d like a trim, please.
  • I want to keep it a bit longer.
  • Could you make it shorter on the sides?
  • Not too much, please.
  • How much do you want me to cut?
  • Do you want it washed first?
  • That looks good.
  • Yes, I like it.

Role-play steps

  1. Start the conversation.
  2. Say what kind of haircut you want.
  3. Ask one question about the haircut.
  4. Give one simple instruction or preference.
  5. Finish by saying if you like the result.

Speaking prompts

  • Describe the haircut you want today.
  • Say one thing you do not want the stylist to do.
  • Ask how much hair will be cut.
  • Tell the stylist about the length you prefer.
  • Say whether you want the top, sides, or back changed.
  • Explain if you want a neat, simple style or a new look.
  • Respond politely when the stylist asks a question.
  • End the role-play with a short opinion about the haircut.

Change roles and repeat

After 2–3 minutes, swap roles and try again with a different haircut idea.

Teacher note: Guided pair speaking practice for A2 adults on asking for and describing a simple haircut, with role-play prompts that focus on customer and stylist language.

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9

9. AI conversation

Roles set by your teacherRole-play

Who is responsible for what

Stay in your role during the live voice chat. The AI partner follows the other role.

You (student)

Customer

AI partner

Hair stylist

What to do

  • Use your microphone and speak in short, simple sentences.
  • Role-play a salon visit for about 5 minutes.
  • Stay in character and keep the topic on haircuts and salon services.
  • Ask for a haircut, say how much to cut, and answer the stylist’s questions.

Students connect here for a live 5-minute AI voice conversation.

Teacher note: Block 9: Students role-play a simple salon conversation as a customer with the AI as a hair stylist.

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10. Grammar

Imperatives in a salon

We use imperatives to give simple instructions or directions. In a salon, imperatives are common because the hairdresser needs to guide the customer clearly and politely.

Form

  • Use the base form of the verb.
  • No subject is needed.
  • For polite instructions, add please.
  • For negative instructions, use Don’t + verb.

Examples

  • Sit here, please.
  • Wait a moment.
  • Turn your head to the left.
  • Keep still, please.
  • Let me check your hair.
  • Don’t move.
  • Don’t touch the water.
  • Look in the mirror.

Why we use imperatives in a salon

Imperatives help the hairdresser give short, clear instructions during a haircut, wash, or blow-dry. They sound natural in this situation.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: You sit here, please.
    • Correct: Sit here, please.
  • Wrong: Don’t to move.
    • Correct: Don’t move.
  • Wrong: Please you wait.
    • Correct: Please wait.
  • Wrong: Let me to check.
    • Correct: Let me check.

Quick rule to remember

If you want to give a simple instruction in a salon, use the verb base form:

  • Wash the hair.
  • Comb it gently.
  • Dry it carefully.

Add please to sound polite, especially with customers.

Teacher note: Clear A2 grammar explanation of imperatives in salon situations, with examples and common mistakes.

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11. Grammar practice

Choose the best form for each salon instruction or request.

1.

Choose the correct instruction for a customer in the chair.

2.

Choose the correct negative instruction.

3.

Choose the polite request a customer can say.

4.

Choose the best salon instruction from the stylist.

5.

Choose the correct request for checking the hair.

Teacher note: Grammar practice on imperatives and polite requests in a salon, using short A2-level multiple-choice items.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Q1A. Please sit down here.
  • Q2A. Don't turn your head.
  • Q3A. Could you cut it a little shorter, please?
  • Q4A. Hold still for a moment.
  • Q5A. Let me look at the back, please.

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12. Writing task

Write a short paragraph about a haircut experience. Use simple A2 English. Include where you went, what you asked for, and how you felt after the haircut. Write 60-80 words.

Aim for at least 60 words.

Teacher note: Writing task for A2 adults: students write a short personal paragraph about a haircut experience, focusing on place, request, and feelings.

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13. Fill in the blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct words.

I want a today, not a big change.
The hair is too for a ponytail.
First, please my hair.
The is very friendly and helpful.
Please sit down and wait, .
I would like to keep my hair a little .
The salon is clean and quiet, so I feel relaxed.
Can you make the back a little shorter, ?

Teacher note: A2 fill-in-the-blanks practice focused on haircut vocabulary and polite salon instructions.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Blank 1trim
  • Blank 2short
  • Blank 3wash
  • Blank 4stylist
  • Blank 5please
  • Blank 6long
  • Blank 7please

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14. Short answer

Answer each question in 1–2 simple sentences. Try to speak clearly and give a personal answer.

1.

How often do you usually get a haircut?

2.

What kind of haircut do you like best for yourself?

3.

What do you usually tell the stylist before the haircut starts?

Teacher note: Short-answer speaking prompts about personal hair habits and salon preferences for adult A2 learners.

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15. Image

Review haircut words with a simple poster. Match the pictures to the words and talk about your hair style.

Teacher note: Review haircut words with a simple poster. Match the pictures to the words and talk about your hair style.

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