1. ESL Lesson Plans
  2. Beginner +

Giving instructions

Free
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Beginner+/A1
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Functional Language
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
45-60 min
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Low-Resource
Print pdf version of this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Download lesson plan

Overview

This lesson plan is designed to teach beginner-level ESL students how to give and respond to basic commands in English. The objective is to help students to direct and react to others correctly, an essential skill for everyday communication.

We start with a suggested boardwork example, introducing students to basic commands and the negative construction. After that, students will engage in several tasks involving drills and a role-play activity. We also provide a couple of ideas for fun classroom games that you can use to reinforce the target language and wrap up the session.

Lesson Outline
Activities
Low-resource ESL lesson plan
Boardwork
1Command drill
2Drill sergeant
3Role-play
Games
1The quick and the dead
2Simon Says
Print pdf version of this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Download Lesson Plan
Unlock this low-resource ESL lesson plan
Become a Member

Classroom activities

Low-resource ESL lesson plan

Use of the board

Our suggested board work uses colour-coded text to give English teachers an idea of how to present this topic in the classroom. In this case, elicit as many commands as possible using mime. As always, the use of L1 (Students' native language) is optional.

EFL - ESL Lead-in activity for beginners | Giving instructions

Low-resource ESL activity

Command drill

Students have to respond to instructions with the correct action. 

Start by teaching the students the correct action for all of the commands on the board. Act out each one and have the students copy you. Depending on the level of the class, you can speed this up or change the order unexpectedly. Do this for as long as you feel is necessary.

Low-resource ESL activity idea

Drill sergeant

With books closed, students will have to remember the correct action for each command. 

Before you begin, erase the examples from the board and ask the students to close their books. Give the class commands from the list in a random order, adding negative forms into the mix as you go.

Low-resource ESL activity idea

Role-play with commands

A fun role-play activity where students pair up to give each other instructions. 

Start by dividing the class into pairs and spreading them out around the room so that they all have enough space. Next, tell the students that they will take turns giving their partner instructions. Their partner should respond with the correct action. Encourage them to correct mistakes and use negative forms. Allow students a minute or two in each role.

Classroom games

Low-resource ESL classroom game

The quick and the dead

Players have to be fast on the trigger to survive this team elimination game.

Start by dividing the class into two teams. For every round, have one student from each side come to the front of the room. They should stand about a metre apart, facing each other, waiting for your command. When you give them an instruction, they have to respond as quickly as possible. The slowest player to act is eliminated from the game.

If you're feeling nasty, you can make it more difficult by tricking the students with negatives, eliminating players who act on a negative command.

Low-resource ESL classroom game

Simon Says

We can adapt this classic elimination game to revise giving instructions. 

Have the students spread out evenly throughout the classroom and place yourself at the front of the room facing them. You will then start to give out instructions based on the target language of the lesson. If you say the words "Simon says" before the command, the players must copy the action. If you don't say those words and they perform the instruction, they are eliminated from the game. 

You can make it more difficult by adding negatives and eliminating students who perform an incorrect action.