Can You Drive? — Teacher Edition

Reading

10 minutes

Say to student:

"Interesting! So in different countries, you CAN or CAN'T do different things. Let's learn about CAN."

Reading

Read the text aloud. Then discuss the questions below.

Driving around the world — Did you know? - In the UK, you can drive at 17. - In the US, you can drive at 16. - In Brazil, you can drive at 18. - In Saudi Arabia, women can drive (since 2018). - In Japan, you can't use a phone when you drive.

Key Words from the Text

can — I can swim.

can't — I can't drive.

drive — Can you drive?

use — You can use wifi here.

1. Can you drive?

2. At what age can you drive in Brazil?

3. Can you use your phone when you drive?

Language Focus

12 minutes

Dialogue: A student calls a language school to book a class.

Student and Receptionist

Hello, can I book an English class, please?

Of course. Can you come on Monday?

No, I can't. I work on Monday.

Can you come on Wednesday at 10?

Yes, I can! Can I pay by card?

Yes, you can.

Great! Can I drive there? I can swim too — is there a pool?

Sure! And there's a sign at the door — you can read it when you arrive.

Click any speech bubble to hear that line!

Comprehension:

1. What does the student want to book?

Answer: An English class.

2. Can she come on Monday?

Answer: No, she can't. She works on Monday.

3. When is her class?

Answer: Wednesday at 10.

Grammar Discovery: can/can't (ability + permission + requests)

Look at these sentences. What do you notice about CAN?

I can swim. / She can swim. / They can swim.

I can't drive. / He can't drive.

Can you come on Monday? — Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

Can I pay by card? — Yes, you can.

Expected answer: CAN is the same for ALL persons (I/you/he/she/we/they). No 'cans' or 'caned'. Questions: CAN + person + verb. Never 'Do you can?'.

Explain:

What comes after CAN — the verb with TO or without TO?

I can swim. (NOT I can TO swim.) — After CAN, the verb is always in the base form — no TO!

Can you come? (NOT Do you can come?) — Questions: CAN moves to the front. No DO/DOES needed.

Quick Check (oral):

1. Say: "She ___ swim very well. (can / cans / can to)"

Expected: can

If wrong: CAN is the same for all persons. No 'cans'!

2. Say: "___ you help me? (Do / Can / Are)"

Expected: Can

If wrong: Requests: CAN you...? Never 'Do you can?'

3. Say: "I can ___ English. (to speak / speak / speaking)"

Expected: speak

If wrong: After CAN, use the base verb — no TO, no -ING.

Explicação (PT-BR):
CAN = poder/conseguir. Igual para TODAS as pessoas (I can, you can, he can, we can). Negativo: can't (cannot). Pergunta: Can you...? / Can I...? NUNCA 'Do you can?' ou 'I can to swim'.

Practice

15 minutes

Watch for:
- Pronuncia de can vs can't: can fraco /kən/ em frases afirmativas, can't tem o T final forte. Diferenca sutil para brasileiros!
- Do you can? — ERRO CLASSICO. Nunca Do/Does com CAN. Sempre: Can you...?
- I can to swim — ERRO: sem TO depois de CAN. Can + verbo base.
- She cans — ERRO: CAN nao muda. Nao existe 'cans' nem 'caned'.
- Can't pronuncia: brasileiros tendem a dizer 'kent' — praticar /kænt/ com A aberto

Can or Can't?

Complete with can or can't.

can'tcan

1. I swim. I love the water!

2. He drive. He doesn't have a license.

3. you come on Friday? — Yes, I .

4. She speak English very well.

5. You park here. Look at the sign!

6. I pay by card? — Yes, you .

Answer Key:
1. can
2. can't
3. Can, can
4. can
5. can't
6. Can, can

Signs — What Can You Do?

Match the sign to the meaning.

Column A

NO PARKING

NO PHOTOS

NO SMOKING

FREE WIFI

RIGHT TURN

CASH ONLY

Column B

This sign means: you can't park here.

You can't smoke here.

You can't pay by card here.

You can't take photos here.

You can turn right here.

You can use wifi here.

Answer Key:
NO PARKING = This sign means: you can't park here.
NO PHOTOS = You can't take photos here.
NO SMOKING = You can't smoke here.
FREE WIFI = You can use wifi here.
RIGHT TURN = You can turn right here.
CASH ONLY = You can't pay by card here.

True or False — Driving Around the World

Based on the reading, is each statement True (A) or False (B)?

Replay text

1. In the UK, you can drive at 17.

False

True

✅ Correct: True

2. In the US, you can drive at 18.

True

False

✅ Correct: False

3. In Brazil, you can drive at 18.

True

False

✅ Correct: True

4. In Saudi Arabia, women can't drive.

False

True

✅ Correct: False

5. In Japan, you can use a phone when you drive.

True

False

✅ Correct: False

Can / Can't — Practice

Read each prompt out loud. Use real abilities.

1. Tell me what you can do: I can drive. I can swim. I can read a sign. I can book a class.

2. Tell me what you can't do: I can't drive a truck. I can't swim fast. I can't read this sign.

3. Ask the receptionist: Can I book a lesson? Can I take a test? Can I get a license?

4. Help a friend: I can help you with the test. I can help you read the sign. I can help you book the lesson.

Tourist in the City

You are a tourist. Ask and answer about what you can and can't do.

Scenario:

You are visiting a new city. You need to ask about parking, photos, wifi, and other things.

Useful Expressions

Can I park here?Can I take photos?Can you help me?Can I pay by card?You can / You can'tYes, you can. / No, you can't.

Round 1 — Permissions in public places (combined: museum + parking + cafe)

YOU: Excuse me, can I take photos here?
TEACHER: No, you can't. No photos.
YOU: Can I park here?
TEACHER: No, you can't. It's full.
YOU: Can I pay by card?
TEACHER: No, you can't. Cash only.
YOU: Can I use the wifi?
TEACHER: Yes, you can.

Round 2 — Your abilities + booking

TEACHER: Can you drive?
YOU: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.
TEACHER: Can you swim?
YOU: Yes, I can!
YOU: Can I book a class for tomorrow?
TEACHER: Yes! Can you come at 9?
YOU: No, I can't. Can I come at 11?

Let's Talk

13 minutes

Let's Talk!

Use what you learned today to answer these questions. Elaborate as much as you can!

Talking about abilities, permissions, and making requests.

1. Can you drive?

Follow-up: When can you drive in Brazil? At what age?

Target: Yes, I can. / No, I can't.

Expected answer: Yes, I can. / No, I can't. At 18.

Tip: Focus on the short answer: Yes, I can / No, I can't. Don't require full sentences yet.

2. What can you do well?

Follow-up: Can you [related activity]?

Target: I can [verb] well.

Expected answer: I can swim. / I can cook.

Tip: Provide verb options if the student is stuck: swim, cook, dance, sing, play guitar. Build from one-word to 'I can [verb].'

3. You're at a hotel. What can you ask the receptionist?

Follow-up: What does the receptionist say?

Target: Can I [verb]...? / Can you [verb]...?

Expected answer: Can I use the wifi? Can I book a room?

Tip: This tests request-making. Offer the hotel scenario and let the student generate 2-3 questions with 'Can I...?'

Extension activity: Aluno rapido: listar 5 coisas que CAN fazer e 5 que CAN'T. Criar suas proprias placas (You can... / You can't...). Perguntar ao professor: Can you...?

Self-Assessment

How did you do today?

✓
I can talk about my abilities with can/can't.
✓
I can make requests with Can I...? and Can you...?
✓
I can understand permission signs.

Great work today!

Next class: I love cooking! — Activities with -ing.