Free ESL Lesson Plan – Can vs Could (A2)

Free ESL Lesson Plan – Can/ Could – Birthdays and Presents

Lesson Goals: The following lesson is suitable for students of A2 level of English. This lesson will teach them the difference between and the usage of CAN and COULD. Also, the students will learn English vocabulary on birthdays and presents.

Target Grammar: Can vs Could

Target Vocabulary: Birthdays and presents

Lesson Presentation:

1. Listen to the text and fill in the blanks.

Martina: It’s my mother’s birthday ………………… I really can’t decide what present to buy her.

Tobias: You could ………………… a book. Books are nice.

Martina: Oh, no. I bought her a book last year. I cannot buy her a book ………..

Tobias: OK. Then, you could buy her a ………………….

Martina: Ah, ………………………….. about that. She doesn’t like big crowds, you know. I don’t think she………………… that.

Tobias: You could take her ………………… There are several really good ones next week.

Martina: Well, I can’t just take her to the movies. It has to be ………………… than that. It’s her birthday.

Tobias: Well, after the movie you could go to a karaoke bar and ………………………….

Martina: Oh, no. Not for me. I can’t sing. We both can’t sing… But I think she can dance really well, and …………………………………. to go dancing after the movies. It will be fun.

2. Answer the following questions.

1. Who has a birthday?
2. What did Martina buy for her mother last year?
3. Why a book is not a good present?
4. What is the thing that Martina’s mother doesn’t like?
5. Will Martina take her mother to the movies?
6. Where can they go if they want to sing?
7. How many things did Tobias suggest? What were they?
8. What will be fun?

3. Read the definitions. Fill in the crossword with the correct words.

ACROSS

3. a kid

4. a person invited to your house

5. to say hello or welcome

7. a round colorful object

DOWN

1. sweet frozen food

2. a playful conical hat

6. a wax stick that gives light

4. Put the sentences in order to make a text.

1. This year I can have a big party at home.
2. Mom said I could have a clown, a big cake, and many balloons.
3. I will invite all my friends.
4. There I could see many interesting animals.
5. Last year for my birthday I could go to the zoo.

Grammar Box

CAN	COULD
Ability   E.g. I can run fast. You can cook very well. Sally really cannot sing.	1. Past tense of CAN   E.g. I could travel a lot when I was young. 2. Suggestion/ piece of advice E.g. You could take the train. It’s faster.

Lesson Production

1. Look at the words. Divide them in three groups and give a name to each group.

photo album / cake / balloons / diary / cookies / book / party hat / painting / concert / ticket / sweater / pretzels

2. Rewrite the sentences in past tense.

E.g. I can finish it in two hours. → I could finish it in two hours.

1. Sydney can ride a horse.
2. My brother can spell very long words.
3. Thomas’s mother can help you.
4. Three people can join us.
5. I can invite all my friends.
6. Darina’s dog can catch ball.
7. She can buy many presents.
8. Bob and Dana can come to the party.

3. Choose CAN/ COULD and fill in the blanks. In some cases both are appropriate.

1. Last years I ………. visit many museums.
2. Larry ………. come to the party.
3. ………. you pass me the cookies, please?
4. You ………. take her to the movies. She will like it.
5. Perhaps, Peter ……… buy the flowers, and can buy the gift.
6. It was too hot last night, so I ………… sleep.
7. ………. I leave early?
8. I ……….. blow all the candles. I’m so sad.

Lesson Production

1. Your friend is invited to a birthday party. Using COULD tell him 8 things he/ she could give as a present.

E.g. You could give her a movie ticket.

2. In 10 sentences describe your dream birthday.

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