Written by Gabriela Estrada

Learning English in hairdressing is a good opportunity to expand and practice specific vocabulary. Students can take advantage of everything from cutting or adjusting hair to coloring and restyling. This everyday experience helps incorporate new common English words and expressions and is valuable for gaining fluency using short, precise sentences.

Today we dedicate our blog to learning English through real-life situations at the hairdresser's, even without having to go there. Here I will share effective strategies and common words in typical conversations inside the salon. Read with me to the end and take note of each one. Let's get started! 

Strategies for learning English in the hairdressing industry

The first step to start conversing in the context of a hair salon is to make a list of keywords that you will use constantly. 

Step 1: Make a vocabulary list.

• "Trim": lightly trim the ends of the hair.

• "Hair dye: dyeing hair with a specific color.

• "Strengthen your hair: strengthen your hair with treatments.

• "Haircut: Haircut.

Expand this list by building your own vocabulary!

Step 2: Apply grammar in useful phrases within the hairdressing salon.

Some common expressions and structures you may use during your visit are:

• "I would like..." (I would like...). This construction is a polite phrase to make a request, for example: "I would like to trim the ends, please", and is commonly used to establish a good relationship with the stylist. It is the preferred form in many contexts, especially in places where social norms value politeness, as in Canada.

• "Can you...?" (can you...?) It also works to ask in this direct way or to ask for information in a polite manner rather than giving instructions. For example, "Can you cut my hair to shoulder length?".

• "How much does it cost to...?" To ask about prices.

• "Could you recommend...?" To ask for advice or suggestions.

Step 3: Propitiate or simulate at home a common conversation at the hairdresser's.

The suggested activity is based on outlining a typical dialogue to practice from the greeting, the interaction about the service you specifically want, the payment and the farewell.

By separating each situation, it is easier to identify the vocabulary to be used, as well as the grammatical construction of the sentences, the pronunciation of new words, the comprehension of the dialogue, etc., and in this way the English learner becomes familiar with the linguistic context of a hairdressing salon and gains fluency in the language.

While it sounds simple, in reality, this strategy works with constant study and discipline. Learning English in the hairdressing salon goes beyond making a single visit and practicing vocabulary, you can also do this activity with simulation at home, assuming different roles, either as a client, as a stylist, as a clerk, among others.

Learn English with Planeta Immiland Education

Role-playing makes learning English a fun and educational experience. Some recommendations for memorizing vocabulary in hairdressing are:

• Use vocabulary cards. Write key words such as. "trim, dye, haircut" and review their meanings.

• Listen and repeat dialogues in context. Watch videos of people in hairdressing salons and repeat their sentences to improve pronunciation.

At Planeta Immiland Education, we offer specialized English courses that teach you through real-life scenarios, such as visiting the hairdresser, shopping or going out to eat. 

We teach English and French for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. If you would like to know more about other learning strategies of our school, please contact us at and we will be happy to help you with whatever you need. You can also explore our website: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/programas-ingles

We are the first language academy for immigration purposes for Canada and our certified teachers can teach you to speak English for work, school, personal purposes or to immigrate to Canada. In addition, we are certified by Languages Canada, which guarantees a good language learning adapted to the Canadian reality.

Are you ready to order your new haircut at the salon in English? Enroll in our courses today and start your path to English fluency.

Thank you very much for reading, see you in the next blog!

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education