Workplace rules: talking about obligations and permissions

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for A2 learners explores Workplace rules: talking about obligations and permissions through a real audio recording. Across 11 interactive exercises, you'll develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Modal verbs for rules and permission with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for asking your manager for permission
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
• A reading passage to practise newly learned language

Lesson activities (11 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 Modal verbs for rules and permission — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for asking your manager for permission — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
9. Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
10. 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:

• Be on time — to arrive at the correct time, not late
• Clock in / clock out — to record the time you start and stop working, often with a special card or machine
• Take a day off — to not go to work for one day, for example, for a holiday or because you are sick
• Follow the rules — to do what the company or your manager tells you to do
• Company policy — a company's official rules about how to do things

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Modal verbs for rules and permission.

We use modal verbs to talk about rules, obligations, and permission at work. We use 'must' and 'have to' for things that are necessary. We use 'can' for things that are allowed.

Examples from the lesson:

• You have to wear your ID card at all times. — This is a rule. 'Have to' and 'must' show an obligation.
• You can take a 30-minute break for lunch. — This is allowed. 'Can' shows permission.
• You don't have to wear a suit on Fridays. — This is not an obligation. It is not necessary.

Key rules:

• Use 'must' and 'have to' for things that are necessary.
• Use 'can' for things you are allowed to do.
• Be careful: 'don't have to' means something is not necessary, it's a choice.

Practical English

asking your manager for permission

Here are some phrases you can use when you need to ask your manager for something, like leaving work early or working from home.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "Excuse me, do you have a minute?" — to politely get your manager's attention.
• "Is it okay if I leave a bit early today?" — to ask for permission in a simple and direct way.
• "I have a doctor's appointment." — to give a simple reason for your request.
• "I can finish my work this afternoon." — to offer a solution and show you are responsible.
• "Thank you, I appreciate it." — to thank your manager after they say yes.