Modal Verbs - Requests - Would - Could - Can - May and Might - Off2Class ESL Lesson Plan

Requests – Would, could, can, may and might
This lesson plan focuses on using the subject I to ask for permission and make requests. As well, it covers using you as the subject to make polite requests. It also outlines formal and informal ways to use these specific modal verbs. This is a great lesson plan for you to use with pre-intermediate students and as a review for intermediate students.

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1. M2.1 – Requests, would, could, can, may, might Off2Class Lesson Plan Lesson 1/1 ESL Lesson Plan © 2014-2021 Global Online Language Services Inc.
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3. Can I borrow your book? A request is when you ask for something. Informal Formal Can I borrow your book? Could I borrow your book? We are usually formal with everyone else, like teachers, doctors, and people we do not know well. We are often informal with family and friends.
4. What is Jack requesting? Choose the best request for the picture May I go to the restroom? A Can I have another cookie? Could I borrow some money? B C
5. Polite requests with I modal I verb …? informal formal formal very Formal can could may might I go leave take borrow to the park? early today? this newspaper? some money? Might is very formal. We don’t use might often.
6. 1. I / today / go home / may / early May I go home early today? 2. your pencil / I / borrow / could 3. with my friends / to the cinema / go / I / can 4. I / may / pay / in cash / the bill 5. borrow / I / your car / tomorrow / can Make requests
7. Requests for permission We use: Can I…? Could I…? May I…? for permission. ? No! Yes Can I please go to the concert tomorrow night with my friends?
8. 6. You need a menu. Can I have a menu? or Could I have a menu? 7. You are not happy with the service. 8. You would like to order something sweet. menu manager dessert list can, could or may for requests You are at a restaurant. Use these words:
9. 9. You are thirsty. 10. You finished your food and you want to pay. 11. You loved the meal and you want to come again next week. bill/check make a reservation drink can, could or may for requests You are at a restaurant. Use these words:
10. 12.__________ a photo of you? 13. __________ early today? I feel unwell. 14. __________ my friend to your party? take invite leave can, could or may for requests Use these verbs in the situations below:
11. 15.__________ to the cinema with Sally and Johann? 16.__________ $70? I will return it next week. go borrow can, could or may for requests Use these verbs in the situations below:
12. 17.You are in my apartment. We are good friends. You want to use the phone. Can I use the phone? 18.You want to give me your homework tomorrow. I am your teacher. Make a request
13. 19. You want to come into my office. I am your boss. 20. You are my friend. You want to borrow some money. 21.You are in a restaurant. You need a chair for your friend. There is an extra chair at my table. Make a request
14. Requests with you as the subject What is Caitlyn requesting? Would you open the door? A Will you help me with my bags? Could you pass the pepper and salt? B C
15. Polite requests with you modal you verb …? informal formal formal very formal can could would will you pass take turn off lend the butter? my photo? the television? me some money? Will you…? is more common in British English.
16. Match the request to the response Can I give you my homework tomorrow? Could I borrow your car tomorrow? Would you open the door for me? Will you come to the cinema with me? Sorry… but it’s at the mechanic’s! Sure, which film do you want to see? Of course… and do you want some help with your bags? No, you need to give it to me now!
17. Match the request to the response May I have a day off tomorrow? Could I borrow some money? Would you help me up the stairs? Can you pass the butter? Again? I gave you $50 last week! Well, I’m not sure. Did you finish all your work? Sure. And can you pass me a slice of bread? Of course… but you can also take the elevator.
18. 22.you / would / the door / for me / open 23. drive / home / can / you / tonight / me 24. pass / me / will / the sugar / you 25.talk / would / you / more quietly 26.the rubbish / you / could / take out Make requests with these words
19. 27.Mom… _____ I _____ television tonight? I finished my homework! 28. _____ you _____ my bag for me please? It’s too heavy. 29. Dad? _____ you _____ me to football practice tonight? 30._____ I please _____ my girlfriend to your party on Saturday? Make a request - can/may/could/would/will bring carry take watch
20. 31. I’m trying to study. _____ you please _____ the music? 32. My leg is very sore so _____ you please _____ me up the stairs? 33. I can’t see anything. _____ you _____ the light? 34. The food was excellent. _____ you _____ us the bill? Make a request - can/may/could/would/will help turn on turn off bring
21. Would you mind if I closed the window? Polite request with Would you mind…? Would you mind closing the window? You are asking permission You are asking someone to do something
22. Asking for permission would… past simple …? would you mind if I.. ate used borrowed didn’t come the last piece of cake? your phone? your bicycle? tonight? We use the past simple but the meaning is for the present or future.
23. Match the request to the response Would you mind if I opened the window? Would you mind if I took the day off tomorrow? Would you mind if I didn’t come to the cinema? Would you mind if I borrowed Albert’s car? You can’t. We are too busy at the moment. No, go ahead… it’s hot in here. Don’t ask me! You need to ask Albert. Not at all. We can go next week.
24. Match the request to the response Would you mind if I took that seat? Would you mind if I borrowed a cup of sugar? Would you mind if I kept your book one more week? Would you mind if I didn’t come to the party? No, go ahead. It’s empty. Of course not. Do you like it? Of course you can Betty. Are you making cakes again? What? No! It will be fun!
25. Asking someone to do something What is Peter asking? Would you mind carrying my bag? A Would you mind helping me across the street? Would you mind coming into my office? B C
26. Asking someone to do something verb -ing …? Would you mind helping coming cleaning up finishing me set the table? into my office? your desk? that report before tomorrow? Remember! asking permission: past simple …? Would you mind if I used your bicycle?
27. Match the request to the response Would you mind opening the window? Would you mind turning the music down? Would you mind doing the dishes? Would you mind repeating that? Again? I washed the dishes last night. Of course not… it’s hot in here. Oh, sorry if it was too loud. I said ‘Please do the homework tonight.’
28. Match the request to the response Would you mind buying some milk? Would you mind taking the next street on the right? Would you mind opening the door? Would you mind helping me with my French homework? I can do that… but my French isn’t very good. Rogerson St? Of course not. You have a lot of luggage! No, I’ll get some. Do we need anything else?
29. 35. You want your friend to help you. 36. You want to open the window. 37.You want your teacher to open the window. 38.You want to take the day off work tomorrow. Make requests with Would you mind Would you mind + verb -ing or Would you mind if I + past tense
30. 39.You want to leave work early today. 40.You want your teacher to repeat the instructions. 41.You want your children to set the table. 42.You want to borrow your mom’s car. Make requests with Would you mind Would you mind + verb -ing or Would you mind if I + past tense
31. 43. Would you mind if I borrowed your computer? 44. Would you mind if I used your phone? 45.Would you mind if I took a two-week vacation in September? Change the sentences Could I…? May I…? Can I…?
32. 46.Would you mind if I came and saw you tomorrow? 47.Would you mind if I took this seat? 48.Would you mind helping me clean the house? Change the sentences Could I…? May I…? Can I…?
33. 49. Would you mind fixing my computer? 50. Would you mind looking after my children? 51.Would you mind posting this letter for me? 52.Would you mind finishing the lesson now? Change the sentences Could you…? Can you…?