Airport procedures: giving and following instructions

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for A2 learners explores Airport procedures: giving and following instructions through a real article. Across 10 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading 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: Giving instructions and talking about rules with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for talking to a security officer
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings

Lesson activities (10 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 article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
5. Grammar — Study Giving instructions and talking about rules — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for talking to a security officer — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Multiple choice — Choose the correct answer from four options — testing comprehension and language use.
9. 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 article:

• Go through security — to pass the security check area at an airport
• Carry-on bag — a small bag that you take with you onto the airplane
• Take off (your shoes/jacket) — to remove an item of clothing
• Boarding gate — the place in the airport where you wait to get on your plane
• Empty your pockets — to take everything out of the pockets in your pants or jacket

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Giving instructions and talking about rules.

At the airport, you will hear many instructions and read many rules. We use imperatives to give direct instructions. We use 'must' and 'have to' to talk about rules and things that are necessary.

Examples from the lesson:

• Please place your bags on the belt. — This is an imperative. It's a direct and polite instruction.
• You must show your boarding pass at the gate. — This is a rule. 'Must' is often used for official rules you see on signs.
• You have to take liquids out of your bag. — This is also a rule. 'Have to' is very common in spoken English.

Key rules:

• Use the base form of the verb for imperatives (e.g., 'Open your bag').
• Use 'must' and 'have to' for strong obligations and rules.
• Use 'don't have to' when something is not a rule or not necessary.
• A common mistake: Saying 'You must to go'. The correct form is 'You must go'.

Practical English

talking to a security officer

At airport security, you have to follow many instructions. Use these phrases to ask questions and understand the security officers.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "'Excuse me, what should I do now?'" — to ask for the next instruction.
• "'Do I need to take my tablet out?'" — to ask about a specific item.
• "'Where does this go?'" — to ask where to put something.
• "'Oh, my mistake.'" — to apologize for doing something wrong.
• "'Like this?'" — to check if you are doing an action correctly.