Mastering Modal Verbs: Can, Could, to Be Able to, to Be Allowed to

Mastering: Can, Could, to Be Able to, to Be Allowed to

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand and use the modal verbs can, could, to be able to, and to be allowed to in English and Dutch.

Introduction to Modal Verbs

Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verb that express necessity, possibility, ability, or permission.

Can and Could in English

Can is used to express present ability or permission. Could is the past form of can.

Can and Could in Dutch

In Dutch, 'kunnen' is used for both can and could.

Questions for Can and Could

1. Can you play the piano? 2. Could you swim when you were five? 3. Can you come to the party? 4. Could you speak French last year? 5. Can I borrow your book?

To Be Able to in English

To be able to is used to indicate the ability to do something.

To Be Able to in Dutch

In Dutch, 'kunnen' is also used for to be able to.

Questions for To Be Able to

1. Are you able to speak Spanish? 2. Will you be able to finish the project on time? 3. Were you able to find the answer? 4. Are you able to drive a car? 5. Can you please be able to help me?

To Be Allowed to in English

To be allowed to is used to express permission or freedom to do something.

To Be Allowed to in Dutch

In Dutch, 'mogen' is used for to be allowed to.

Questions for To Be Allowed to

1. Are you allowed to stay out late? 2. Were you allowed to go to the concert? 3. Are they allowed to use their phones in class? 4. Is she allowed to drive your car? 5. Were you allowed to eat ice cream as a child?

Review and Practice

Review the usage of can, could, to be able to, and to be allowed to in both English and Dutch. Engage in practice exercises to reinforce learning.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points about using modal verbs and encourage students to practice using them in their daily communication.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.