FirePhrase: Survival Pack

Stop memorising words. Build a lasting network for fluency.

Use the FirePhrase techniques in this survival pack of essential words and phrases (aimed at the complete beginner)

What's included in Survival:

• 100 essential phrases to get by on a holiday or a business trip
• Digital flashcards optimised for Anki's spaced repetition system
• Complementary stories available online to reinforce vocabulary in context: Explore Stories
• Visual memory aids for deeper retention

Why It Works: The Cognitive Science Behind FirePhrase

• Lexical Sentence Mining: Learn words in context, not in isolation, making use of the innate ability of the brain to internalise language. For example, "I have made a decision", rather than "to make" and "decision" word and grammar tables
• Dual-Coding: Pair phrases with specific images to create mental 'hooks' that improve recall by up to 75%.
• Phonetic Decoding: Practice with normal and slow-speed audio to master pronunciation and natural rhythm.
• Active Recall: Use fill-in-the-blank cards to strengthen memory retrieval for real-time conversations.

How to Use

Spend 20-30 minutes per day to make steady progress. Each pack progresses in this order:

• Listening Cards: Start by hearing the phrases to train your ear for natural rhythm and pronunciation.
• Reading Cards: Reinforce your understanding by seeing the phrases in written form.
• Speaking Cards: To build confidence and fluency.

Explore and enjoy the language with AI-powered learning insights and links to online dictionaries for deeper understanding.

Required Software:

As a minimum you will need one Anki software product.

• Anki Mobile App: Free on Android; paid on iOS
• Anki Desktop (Free): Download from apps.ankiweb.net
• AnkiWeb Account (Free): Free synchronisation across devices

New to Anki? Watch this excellent setup guide on how to upload decks: Anki Setup Tutorial

Note: Anki is completely separate from our store but is the platform our flashcards use. It's the gold standard for spaced repetition learning.

AI Insights work by copying a customised prompt for each card to your clipboard, that you can paste into an AI chatbot of your choice (such as Gemini or Claude). We are a subscription-free product and therefore do not offer this as a paid feature.

Phrase List

• No
• Yes
• A lot
• Hello
• Water
• A beer
• A taxi
• Cheers
• Please
• Goodbye
• The bus
• Welcome
• A coffee
• A ticket
• I'm lost
• Soy milk
• The same
• The tram
• Your key
• Excuse me
• It's nice
• Sign here
• Thank you
• The train
• A red wine
• Good night
• It's cheap
• Just water
• The subway
• I'm English
• A little bit
• A white wine
• Good evening
• Good morning
• Here you are
• How are you?
• I'm American
• We are ready
• A still water
• See you later
• You're welcome
• Is there wifi?
• It's beautiful
• It's delicious
• It's expensive
• Tickets please
• A glass of wine
• A table for one
• A table for two
• Can I buy this?
• Can you repeat?
• Do you like it?
• How much is it?
• I like it a lot
• I'd like to pay
• A bottle of wine
• A table for four
• Tea without milk
• The bill, please
• A sparkling water
• Coffee with sugar
• I don't have cash
• Waiter, excuse me
• What's your name?
• Can I pay by card?
• Can I pay in cash?
• See you at the bar
• Can I book a table?
• Do you have a menu?
• My friend is paying
• Pleased to meet you
• Something to drink?
• Thank you very much
• How do you say that?
• Is there a bathroom?
• It's a bit expensive
• Turn right then left
• Where is the market?
• Where is the subway?
• Do you speak English?
• Do you want a coffee?
• I would like a coffee
• The room is not ready
• What is the password?
• Everything was perfect
• How much does it cost?
• Where is the bathroom?
• Are you ready to order?
• What time is breakfast?
• I don't have enough cash
• We need more toilet roll
• We've made a reservation
• Is there a swimming pool?
• Sorry, I don't understand
• Where is the city centre?
• Leave the key at reception
• I can't connect to the wifi
• Have you made a reservation?
• I have had enough, thank you
• Do you want something to drink?