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Overview

Duration: 180 minutes
Level: Adult ESOL Entry 2
Class Size: 25 Students
Topic: Modal Verbs: Should, Could, Must, Might, Can (Advice, Possibility, Obligation)
Country: England
Curriculum Reference:

• English Curriculum KS Adult and Community Learning - ESOL Entry 2
• National Curriculum English - Spoken Language and Writing: grammar (modal verbs for obligation, advice, possibility)
• Functional English Skills - Reading for detail, writing for real-life contexts, speaking and listening (collaborative talk, giving advice)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and correctly use modal verbs should, could, must, might, can in spoken and written contexts to give advice, express obligation, possibility, and ability.
• Read and understand detailed texts involving modal verbs in real-life scenarios (jobs, politeness, advice).
• Use modal verbs accurately in writing, creating sentences relevant to everyday life (work, advice, responsibilities).
• Speak confidently using modal verbs in paired discussions, giving advice and sharing opinions.
• Demonstrate listening skills by understanding videos focused on modal verb usage.
• Collaborate effectively in mixed-ability pairs to support peer learning.

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Success Criteria

• Students correctly use modal verbs in at least 80% of oral and written activities.
• Students answer 70% or more comprehension questions accurately on reading texts involving modal verbs.
• Students confidently participate in paired discussions using modal verbs.
• Work produced (written and spoken) reflects appropriate modal verb choice based on context (advice, obligation, possibility).

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Resources Needed

• PowerPoint slides (detailed below)
• Printed worksheets (worksheets on modal verbs and reading comprehensions)
• Video clips showing modal verbs in context (filmed advice scenarios, workplace conversations)
• Dyslexia-friendly reading versions (large font, sans-serif typeface, coloured overlays optional)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Flashcards and sentence frames
• Visual aids (pictures illustrating advice situations)

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Detailed Lesson Plan

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Starter Task (15 mins)

Activity: Recap + Brainstorm

• Write modal verbs should, could, must, might, can on the board.
• Ask students: “What do these words mean? When do you use them?”
• In pairs, students brainstorm examples of advice, obligation, possibility, or ability using these verbs.
• Feed back as a group.
• Teacher notes correct uses and misconceptions.

CCQs:

• “Can you use ‘should’ to give advice?” – Yes
• “Do we use ‘must’ for something we have to do, or maybe do?” – Have to do (obligation)
• “Is ‘could’ used for advice or for possibility?” – Both, but mainly polite suggestion / possibility

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Main Input & Presentation (30 mins)

• PowerPoint Slide 1: What are Modal Verbs?

  • Definition: Helping verbs showing advice, ability, possibility, obligation
  • Examples and context images
  • CCQ: “Is ‘should’ a main verb or helping verb?”

• PowerPoint Slide 2: Modal Verbs & Meanings

  • Should = advice
  • Must = obligation
  • Could = possibility/suggestion
  • Might = possibility
  • Can = ability/permission
  • Visual icons for each modal verb
  • CCQ for each verb: “Which modal shows advice?”

• PowerPoint Slide 3: Forming Sentences with Modal Verbs

  • Modal + base verb (without ‘to’)
  • Example: You should wear a coat.
  • Negative and question forms: Should not (shouldn’t), Can you...?
  • CCQ: “Do we say ‘should to go’ or ‘should go’?”

• PowerPoint Slide 4: Real-life contexts for modal verbs

  • Advice at work, polite requests, rules and laws, uncertain situations
  • Photos and captions demonstrate each context, linked to Entry 2 goals.

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Activity 1: Reading Comprehension & Grammar Focus (40 mins)

• Text: Read a dyslexia-friendly version of an Entry 2 level text about unusual jobs with modal verbs giving advice and explaining responsibilities.
• Students read individually or in pairs (read aloud activity)
• Task: Identify modal verbs in the text and underline them.
• Answer comprehension questions (extract given, questions checking detail and inference).

Sample Questions:

• What advice is given about this job? (should)

• What responsibilities must the workers follow? (must)

• Are there any possibilities mentioned? (might, could)

• Follow-up: Rewrite 3 sentences using modal verbs from the text into your own sentences.

Differentiation:

• For weaker learners: Highlight modal verbs visually.
• For stronger learners: Write a short paragraph using 4 different modal verbs to advise on a new job.

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Activity 2: Video & Listening Task (20 mins)

• Watch 2 short videos (~3 minutes each).

  • Video 1: Person giving advice about job skills using modal verbs.
  • Video 2: A conversation where people discuss rules at work using ‘must’ and ‘should’.

• Students complete fill-in-the-blank listening exercises (modal verbs missing from sentences).

• Check answers as a class.

Teacher notes: Pause video at key points, ask CCQs:

• “Did they say ‘must’ or ‘should’ here? Why?”
• “Is this advice or obligation?”

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Activity 3: Writing Practice (30 mins)

• Provide sentence frames on worksheet:

  • “You should …”
  • “You must …”
  • “She could …”
  • “They might …”

• Write 5 sentences giving advice or explaining responsibilities at work or daily life.

• Peer review in pairs to correct modal verb use and suggest improvements.

Extension: Advanced learners write a short advice leaflet using modal verbs for new employees.

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Activity 4: Speaking & Collaboration (30 mins)

• Pair mixed-ability groups.
• Give scenarios related to jobs, safety, or school life.
• One student gives advice to the other using modal verbs (e.g., “You should wear a uniform”).
• Switch roles after 10 mins.
• Encourage use of sentence frames and visuals.
• Teacher circulates, listens, and notes participation and accuracy.

CCQs during discussion:

• “Are you giving advice or talking about rules?”
• “Are you sure you said ‘must’ and not ‘should’ when the rule is important?”

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Plenary & Review (15 mins)

• Quick quiz on modal verbs (oral and written)
• Show a sentence missing a modal verb on board; students propose answers and explain choice.
• Recap key points with students answering CCQs on the lesson content:
  • “What modal do you use to advise someone?”
  • “How do you form a sentence with a modal verb?”
• Collect written work for marking and feedback.

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Extension Activities (for Advanced Learners)

• Write a dialogue using at least 6 modal verbs showing advice, possibility, obligation.
• Create a poster advising on a social issue (e.g., recycling, health) using modal verbs.
• Research and present a 2-minute talk on modal verbs in rules (laws, workplace).

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Differentiation Strategies

• Pairing stronger with weaker learners to scaffold understanding.
• Use sentence frames to support writing and speaking.
• Provide glossary with definitions and examples of modal verbs.
• Use visuals and colour-coding to support modal verb identification.
• Allow oral responses instead of written for those struggling with writing.
• Dyslexia-friendly materials with clear fonts and spacing, optional coloured overlays for reading.

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PowerPoint Slide-by-Slide Detail with CCQs

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Slide 1: Welcome & Objectives

• What modal verbs are we learning?
• Today’s goals: reading, writing, speaking modal verbs correctly.

CCQs: “Do we use modal verbs for facts or for advice?”

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Slide 2: Introduction to Modal Verbs

• Definition, simple examples, pictures.

CCQs: “Is ‘must’ advice or obligation?”

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Slide 3: Modal Verb Meanings

• Should = advice
• Must = obligation
• Could = possibility/suggestion
• Might = possibility
• Can = ability/permission

CCQs: Match modal verbs to pictures on slide.

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Slide 4: Sentence Structure

• Modal + base verb
• Affirmative, negative, question examples.

CCQs: “Do we say ‘should to do’ or ‘should do’?”

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Slide 5: Real-Life Contexts

• Photos and short sentences showing advice/rules at work, home.

CCQs: “Which modal verb fits this situation?”

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Slide 6-7: Reading Comprehension Task Instructions

• How to find modal verbs.
• Sample text preview.

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Slide 8: Listening Task Instructions & Video 1 Intro

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Slide 9: Listening Task Video 2 Intro

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Slide 10: Writing Task Instructions & Sentence Frames

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Slide 11: Speaking Task Instructions & Discussion Prompts

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Slide 12: Review & Quiz Questions

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This detailed plan ensures deep exploration of modal verbs for Entry 2 ESOL adults, aligns with England’s National Curriculum for Communicative and Functional English language use, supports diverse learners, and integrates multimodal resources to maximise engagement and achievement.