ESL lesson plan | A2 | Modal verbs for workplace obligations and permissions

Summary

This ESL lesson for A2 English students explores Workplace rules. Using a real article as the basis for discussion, students develop reading and listening comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills across a 90-minute class.

The grammar focus is Modal verbs for obligation and permission (must, have to, don't have to, can). Key vocabulary includes obligation (noun), permission (noun), manager (noun) and more, all drawn directly from the source material. The practical English section gives students useful phrases for real-life situations: You are talking to a new colleague about the rules in your office, or asking your manager for something..

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Activities

A warm-up discussion to activate prior knowledge and get students thinking about the topic before watching or reading.
Comprehension exercises based on the article to check understanding of the main ideas and key details.
A grammar focus on Modal verbs for obligation and permission (must, have to, don't have to, can). We use modal verbs to talk about rules. 'Must' and 'have to' are for obligations (things that are necessary).
Vocabulary expansion with advanced expressions related to Workplace rules not found in the source material.
Practical English phrases for You are talking to a new colleague about the rules in your office, or asking your manager for something., with exercises to practise using them naturally.
A speaking task where students role-play a real-world scenario, applying vocabulary and phrases from the lesson.

At my office, we must arrive by 9 AM.

We have to finish our reports every Friday.

You can take a 30-minute lunch break.

We don't have to work on weekends, which is nice.

You must ask your manager if you want a day off.

Everyone has to follow the safety rules.

You can wear casual clothes on Fridays. It's a good place to work.

Workplace rules

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Vocabulary focus

The vocabulary section introduces A2-level words and phrases related to Workplace rules. Key terms include obligation (noun), permission (noun), manager (noun), report (noun), casual clothes (noun phrase). Students practise using these terms in context through exercises drawn from the source material.

Grammar focus

This lesson focuses on Modal verbs for obligation and permission (must, have to, don't have to, can). We use modal verbs to talk about rules. 'Must' and 'have to' are for obligations (things that are necessary).