Clicking the right button (giving instructions)

Title separator

Vocabulary - giving instructions

ESL lesson on giving instructions

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this ESL lesson on giving instructions to:

  • build vocabulary related to email interface;
  • watch a video with instructions;
  • practise giving instructions on how to use a website or an app.

Students discuss technology use, share experiences and work with collocations for using email and web tools (e.g. click on ‘Compose’, add a link). They watch part of a video on how to use Gmail, explore texts of instructions and learn vocabulary for key parts of an email interface (e.g. ‘Send’ button, ‘To’ field, subject line). Students also explore phrases for describing positions (e.g. in the bottom right-hand corner) and work on giving instructions for using websites and apps.

A2 / Pre‐Intermediate
B1 / Intermediate
60 minStandard LessonPremium Plan

WARM-UP AND VIDEO

This ESL lesson on giving instructions starts with a warm-up. Students discuss questions about helping or getting help with technology. After that, they look at activities (e.g. install antivirus software, edit a Word document, cancel a subscription) and decide which of them are easy or difficult to do. Students explain why, based on their experience. Moving on, they choose words or phrases that do not go with verbs (e.g. add: on ‘Compose’, a link, an attachment). Students then watch a video with instructions on how to use Gmail. First, they look at the collocations from the previous task and guess what activity the instructions are for. Then, they watch part of the video (to 01:33) and check their ideas. Afterwards, students look at the instructions and complete the missing words. They watch the video again and check. Following that, they discuss questions about using and managing emails.

VOCABULARY PRACTICE

In this part of this ESL lesson on giving instructions, students match descriptions (e.g. ‘Send’ button, Subject line) with the elements in a picture of an email window. After that, they say where some elements are located (e.g. ‘Close’ button, ‘Delete’ button,) using phrases for describing positions on a screen (e.g. in the top left corner, on the left-hand side). Students then read more instructions on how to use Gmail and complete them by choosing the correct words. After that, they complete instructions on how to write an email. Students use steps and prompts (e.g. First,… . Click… . Type in… .) and add details (e.g. the position of buttons). Finally, students choose a website or an app they often use and imagine giving instructions to a new user. Students explain how to log in and use the main features, using the target phrases from the lesson.

HOMEWORK/REVISION

This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students read instruction sentences and correct a mistake in each. They then put the sentences in the correct order. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.

WORKSHEETS

Be the 1st to vote.

Comments

Title separator

Leave a Reply

Browse other materials recommended for you

Title separator
ESL lesson about tech problems
B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Tech pet peeves

Technology

Discuss real-life tech frustrations with this lesson! Students check UK phone statistics, watch a video on tech pet peeves and practise vocabulary for tech problems. They also share their opinions and experiences. 

speaking lesson on AI partners
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Speaking Class 45 min / 60 min

In love with AI

Lifestyle Technology

Journey through the realm of relationships with AI! Students share their thoughts, discuss how humans interact with AI and watch a video on AI as romantic partners. They also debate AI’s impact on human connection.

practise passive forms
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Preventing identity theft (passive voice)

Grammar Technology

Practise passive forms with this lesson on identity theft! Students discuss online protection and share opinions about online safety. They also watch a video about identity theft and read texts on how technology impacts digital crime.

B1 / Intermediate
Critical Reading Club 45 min

Office software

Business Technology

Talk about office software with this Critical Reading Club lesson! Students discuss office software and work tasks, practise useful collocations and share their experiences. They also talk about their preferences for workplace software.

ESL lesson on passive structures
B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

A new website will be created soon (passive voice)

Business Grammar Technology

Talk about websites while practising the passive voice! With this lesson, students watch a video about website creation, share their opinions and work with passive structures in different scenarios.

ESL lesson on physical media
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

The return of physical media

Lifestyle Technology

Talk about physical media with this lesson! Students discuss experiences of using tangible media, practise useful vocabulary for discussing the topic and share their opinions. They also watch a video on physical media.

ESL lesson on future forms
B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

Will we live in a smart city?

Grammar Technology

Discuss how technology can solve urban issues! In this lesson, students review future forms, watch a video about smart city services, and imagine they participate in a survey. They also role-play discussions about plans using future forms.

talking about digital parenting
B1 / Intermediate | B2 / Upper Intermediate
Speaking Class 45 min / 60 min

Digital parenting

Lifestyle Technology

Engage in talking about digital parenting with this lesson! Students practise phrases to express opinions, watch a video about digital parenting and discuss how to manage children’s online behaviour.

social media vocabulary
B1 / Intermediate
Standard Lesson 60 min

The power of social media

Lifestyle Technology

Navigate the territory of social media with this lesson! Students discuss the use of social media, watch a video about the feeling of FOMO (fear of missing out) and practise vocabulary to talk about the topic.

Show more lessons

Questions

Title separator

Is there a minimum subscription period if I choose a monthly subscription?

No, there's no minimum required number of subscription months. You can cancel any time you want. Basically, you can sign up and then cancel your subscription the next day, which will mean you have access for 1 month and won't be charged again.

What currencies can I pay in for my subscription?

Our default currency is USD (American dollar), but you can also pay in EUR (euro), GBP (British pound sterling) or PLN (Polish zloty). You can change the currency you want to pay in at the Pricing page before selecting a subscription plan.

How can I edit an e-lesson plan?

You can get your own editable copy of an e-lesson plan and make changes to it. To do so, either (1) make a copy of it on your Google Drive (preferable method) or (2) download it in a Powerpoint format (but formatting might be a bit off so we can’t guarantee that it will work well).
Read more FAQ
Title separator

ESL Brains

Forgot password?
or continue with