Use can, can't, speak, write accurately in context
Read and discuss a topic-specific article at A1 level
Practise speaking fluently on ability
Complete written exercises with vocabulary in context
Teaching Notes
Warm-up: allow 8-10 min, let personal answers develop
Article: read together or have students read silently first
Vocabulary match: good for pair work
Speaking: encourage full sentences, not one-word answers
Exit questions: 5-min closer, no prep needed
Timing Guide
Warm-up: 8 min
Article + comprehension: 12 min
Vocabulary + match: 10 min
Exercises: 10 min
Speaking + discussion: 15 min
Exit + recap: 5 min
Teacher Question Bank
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A1 · Lesson 13 · Ability
Can and Can't
Abilitycancan'tspeak
Getting started
Warm-Up Questions
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Read & Understand
Article
Can and Can't
My name is Ana and I work in marketing. I can speak three languages: Spanish, English, and French. I can write reports and I can use most design software. But I can't code - that's for the IT team! My colleague David can code very well, but he can't speak English very well yet. We help each other. That's teamwork!
💡 Did you know? 'Can' is one of the most used words in English. Native speakers say it hundreds of times a day - often very fast, so it sounds like 'k'n'.
Topic: Ability
Key words
Vocabulary
01
can
used to say something is possible or you are able to do it
02
can't
short for cannot - not able to do something
03
speak
to talk in a language
04
write
to form words on paper or screen
05
use
to work with a tool or program
06
drive
to operate a vehicle
07
cook
to prepare food
08
swim
to move through water
09
sing
to make music with your voice
010
help
to do something useful for someone
Match the Words
Click a word on the left, then click its definition on the right.
can
can't
speak
write
use
drive
cook
swim
sing
help
to move through water
to form words on paper or screen
to talk in a language
to make music with your voice
to operate a vehicle
to prepare food
to do something useful for someone
to work with a tool or program
used to say something is possible or you are able to do it
short for cannot - not able to do something
Say it right
Pronunciation
can
CAN
can't
CA-n't
speak
SP-eak
write
WR-ite
use
USE
drive
DR-ive
Read & Discuss
Short Dialogue
A:
Hi! Can I ask you about can?
B:
Of course! I think can is very important.
A:
What about can't? Do you use it often?
B:
Yes, I do. Can't helps me a lot at work.
A:
And speak? Is that difficult for you?
B:
Sometimes. But I practise every day.
A:
That is great. What is your advice?
B:
Just be consistent. Small steps every day!
Comprehension
What does person A ask about first?
How does person B feel about can't?
What is person B's advice at the end?
Practice
Exercises
Gap Fill
Complete each sentence using vocabulary from today's lesson.
1. I speak Spanish.
2. She drive.
3. Can you French?
4. He can very fast.
5. I can Excel.
Error Correction
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
She have a big can.
I not understand can't.
They is very speak.
He work with write every day.
Speaking practice
Speaking Prompts
Discuss with your partner
Tell your partner three things you can do at work.
What can't you do? How does that affect your job?
Ask your partner: Can you speak any other languages?
Summarise today's topic in 3 sentences using vocabulary from this lesson.
Grammar focus: Can does NOT change: I can, you can, he can, she can. Never 'she cans'. Question... — can you give an example?
Open discussion
Discussion Generator
More Questions
Use with pairs or whole class · Encourage full answers
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End of lesson
Exit Questions
Discuss in pairs — 5 minutes
Recap
Vocabulary
can, can't, speak, write, use, drive, cook, swim, sing, help
Article
Can and Can't — reading & comprehension
Practice
Gap fill, error correction, vocabulary matching
Speaking
Prompts, discussion generator
Homework
Write a short paragraph about your skills. Use can and can't at least 4 times.
