Verbs - Modals

Table of contents 

1. What are Verbs - Modal lessons?
2. Target students
3. Key features
4. Lesson Details & Links

What are Verbs - Modals lessons?

Verbs – Modals is a structured lesson series designed to build students’ ability to express modality
in English: that is, talking about ability, permission, obligation, advice, requests, and possibility.
These lessons guide students through core modal verbs like can, could, must, should, may, and might,
offering a practical framework for learners to convey meaning and nuance in their communication.
Rather than treating modals in isolation, these lessons provide realistic contexts—such as
describing rules, routines, polite requests, and hypothetical situations—to reinforce both grammar
and communicative fluency. Each lesson targets a specific area of modality and can be used flexibly
by teachers to meet their students' individual needs. The series includes lessons on:

1. Ability – e.g., can, could, and be able to to describe present, past, or general skills
2. Requests and Permission – using can, could, and may to make polite and appropriate
   inquiries
3. Necessity and Obligation – expressing rules and requirements with must, have to, and need
   to
4. Advice and Suggestions – communicating recommendations through should and ought to
5. Possibility – exploring uncertainty and hypothetical situations using may, might, and could
6. Politeness and Tone – developing pragmatic awareness for formal/informal requests and
   responses
7. Functional use of modals – providing real-life writing and speaking scenarios to solidify
   understanding
8. Each lesson contains multiple activities that balance accuracy and fluency, ensuring
   students not only learn the rules but apply them meaningfully
   
   

Target students

As general English grammar lessons focused on the use of modal verbs, the Verbs – Modals series
is suitable for a broad range of learners. It is especially helpful for students at upper beginner
(CEFR A2, WIDA PL 2 Emerging) to pre-intermediate (CEFR B1, WIDA PL 3 Developing) who are
either encountering modal verbs for the first time or who need additional support in mastering
their correct use. Whether reviewing previously taught grammar, addressing student gaps, or
building language from the ground up, these lessons offer flexible, standalone material that
integrates well into any skills-based or general English program.

Key features

All Verbs – Modals lessons feature:

1. Clear grammar focus: Each lesson introduces one or two related modal forms with
   scaffolded explanations and examples that help students understand usage and meaning in
   context.
2. Real-life application: Activities are centered around familiar situations—asking for help,
   talking about rules, giving advice—which make the use of modal verbs feel relevant and
   practical.
3. Productive tasks: Lessons include integrated speaking and writing activities that
   encourage students to apply new language communicatively.
4. WIDA-aligned outcomes: Each lesson is aligned to specific interpretive and expressive
   learning goals, reinforcing both academic and functional language development.