I Can’t / You Can’t – Speak About What You Can’t Do in English

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LESSON DESCRIPTION

Can’t / You Can’t – Speak About What You Can’t Do in English is a beginner ESL lesson plan (A0–A1) that introduces students to the negative form can’t for talking about abilities. With engaging visuals, simple texts, and interactive pair work, learners practice describing what they and others are not able to do, while building vocabulary, grammar knowledge, and communication skills.

Why Choose This Lesson?

• Visual Warm-Up & Vocabulary Practice
  Students start with picture-based activities that show people or animals trying (and failing) to do things. Useful vocabulary includes swim, cook, play football, ride a bike, play the guitar, drive a car, and jump high.
• Clear Grammar Focus
  Learners are introduced to the negative form can’t (cannot) and practice forming correct sentences such as I can’t swim or She can’t drive a car, while avoiding common mistakes.
• Reading for Context
  Short texts about different characters (e.g., Emma, Tom, Sarah, Alex, Mia, Jack) reinforce the use of can and can’t in meaningful contexts. Students answer comprehension questions in full sentences.
• Speaking for Interaction
  Through guessing games and pair work, students describe what different people can’t do while partners identify who they are talking about. This encourages both careful listening and creative speaking.
• Writing for Practice
  Learners write sentences about themselves, their friends, and their family using can’t. This activity helps transfer spoken practice into structured writing.

Ideal For:

• ESL teachers looking for a clear, beginner-friendly grammar lesson on can’t
• A0–A1 learners who need to express what they or others cannot do
• Short lessons combining grammar, vocabulary, reading, speaking, and writing

Download from Perfect Teacher

Download I Can’t / You Can’t – Speak About What You Can’t Do in English (A0–A1 ESL Lesson Plan) from Perfect Teacher and give your students the confidence to talk about what they can’t do in English!