Making and canceling appointments

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for A1 learners explores Making and canceling appointments through a real audio recording. Across 9 interactive exercises, you'll develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Using 'can' and 'can't' with examples and practice
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• A reading passage to practise newly learned language

Lesson activities (9 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the audio recording, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
5. Grammar — Study Using 'can' and 'can't' — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Multiple choice — Choose the correct answer from four options — testing comprehension and language use.
7. Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
8. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the audio recording:

• How about...? — a question to suggest a day or time
• check my schedule — to look at your calendar to see when you are free
• free time — a time when you are not busy
• let me know — please tell me
• something came up — a polite way to say you have a new, unexpected plan

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Using 'can' and 'can't'.

We use 'can' to talk about what is possible and to ask for things. We use 'can't' (can + not) to talk about what is not possible. These words are very useful for making appointments.

Examples from the lesson:

• Can I book an appointment for Tuesday? — Use 'can' at the start of a question to ask for something.
• Sorry, you can't see the doctor on Tuesday. He is busy. — Use 'can't' to say something is not possible.
• You can see the doctor on Wednesday at 10 AM. — Use 'can' to offer an alternative or say what is possible.

Key rules:

• Use 'can' for possibility and requests.
• Use 'can't' for things that are not possible.
• After 'can' and 'can't', always use the simple form of the verb (e.g., 'can come', not 'can comes' or 'can to come').