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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 30 · Confident · B1
Explaining how to do something
Give clear step-by-step instructions and check the other person understands.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What can you teach someone to do: a recipe, a game, a skill?
Key phrase 1 of 8
First, …
Start the steps.
Key phrase 2 of 8
Then / Next, …
The next step.
Key phrase 3 of 8
After that, …
Another step.
Key phrase 4 of 8
Finally, …
The last step.
Key phrase 5 of 8
Make sure you…
An important step.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Be careful not to…
A warning.
Key phrase 7 of 8
Does that make sense?
Check they understand.
Key phrase 8 of 8
Let me show you.
Offer to demonstrate.
Conversation
Trainer and New staff
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Trainer
OK, let me show you how to close the register.
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Trainer: OK, let me show you how to close the register.
New staff
Great, thanks.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
New staff: Great, thanks.
Trainer
First, print the end-of-day report. Then count the cash in the drawer.
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Trainer: First, print the end-of-day report. Then count the cash in the drawer.
New staff
Do I count the coins too?
Conversation · line 5 of 8
New staff: Do I count the coins too?
Trainer
Yes. After that, write the total on this form. Make sure you sign it.
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Trainer: Yes. After that, write the total on this form. Make sure you sign it.
New staff
OK.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
New staff: OK.
Trainer
Finally, put the cash in the safe. Be careful not to leave the drawer open. Does that make sense?
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Trainer: Finally, put the cash in the safe. Be careful not to leave the drawer open. Does that make sense?
New staff
Yes. Print, count, write, sign, safe. Got it!
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Trainer. Student B is New staff. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
First, … Then, …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
Make sure you …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Does that make sense?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
Which word shows the last step?
- A First
- B Finally
- C Next
✓ B: Finally = the last step.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
What does 'Make sure you…' show?
- A An important step
- B A question
- C A joke
✓ A: It shows something you must not forget.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
How can you check someone understands?
- A Does that make sense?
- B Are you stupid?
- C OK, bye.
✓ A: Polite and friendly.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
What's a good way for the learner to check?
- A Repeat the steps back
- B Say nothing
- C Leave
✓ A: Repeating the steps shows understanding.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
Which is a warning?
- A Be careful not to…
- B Then…
- C Let me show you.
✓ A: 'Be careful not to' warns about a mistake.
Good to know in Australia 🇦🇺
When you learn a new task, repeat the steps back ('So first I…, then I…'). Australian supervisors usually appreciate it, and it catches mistakes early.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.au/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.au
· englishcoaching.au
Teacher notes
Level: Confident · B1 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What can you teach someone to do: a recipe, a game, a skill?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Trainer and student B is New staff. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Trainer is read by Josh and New staff by Mel. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Good to know in Australia
When you learn a new task, repeat the steps back ('So first I…, then I…'). Australian supervisors usually appreciate it, and it catches mistakes early.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Explaining how to do something. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 30: Explaining how to do something
Give clear step-by-step instructions and check the other person understands.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: careful · sense · show · sure · that
- First, … (Start the steps)
- Then / Next, … (The next step)
- After , … (Another step)
- Finally, … (The last step)
- Make you… (An important step)
- Be not to… (A warning)
- Does that make ? (Check they understand)
- Let me you. (Offer to demonstrate)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Trainer: OK, let me show you how to close the .
- New staff: Great, .
- Trainer: First, print the end-of-day . Then count the cash in the drawer.
- New staff: Do I the coins too?
- Trainer: Yes. After that, the total on this form. Make sure you sign it.
- New staff: OK.
- Trainer: Finally, put the cash in the safe. Be careful not to leave the open. Does that make sense?
- New staff: Yes. Print, , write, sign, safe. Got it!
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
Which word shows the last step?
a) Firstb) Finallyc) Next
What does 'Make sure you…' show?
a) An important stepb) A questionc) A joke
How can you check someone understands?
a) Does that make sense?b) Are you stupid?c) OK, bye.
What's a good way for the learner to check?
a) Repeat the steps backb) Say nothingc) Leave
Which is a warning?
a) Be careful not to…b) Then…c) Let me show you.
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- First, Then,
- Make sure you
- Does that make sense?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/explaining-how-to-do-something/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 30: Explaining how to do something
A. Key phrases
- First, …
- Then / Next, …
- After that, …
- Finally, …
- Make sure you…
- Be careful not to…
- Does that make sense?
- Let me show you.
B. Conversation gaps
- register
- thanks
- report
- count
- write
- –
- drawer
- count
C. Quiz
- b) Finally
- a) An important step
- a) Does that make sense?
- a) Repeat the steps back
- a) Be careful not to…
englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/explaining-how-to-do-something/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach explaining how to do something to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Confident level, about CEFR B1. It is lesson 30 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/explaining-how-to-do-something/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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