92 Following-Procedures US

Functional English
Following
Procedures
Warm-Up
First, work with your class to brainstorm lots
of different real-life tasks that involve following
procedures. Then think of the last time you gave
step-by-step instructions to someone. What did you
explain? When you’ve finished that, find a partner!
Dialogues
Read the dialogues, and practice with a partner.
A. G
iving Instructions B. Giving Further C. The Final
(first steps) Instructions Instructions
A: I can’t get onto your Wi-Fi. Dialogue 1 Dialogue 1

What do I need to do?
A: I preheated the oven. A: Am I done?
B: The first thing you need to What’s next?
B: Not quite.
do is go to Network Settings.
B: Next, mix all of the
A: What else do I need to do?
A: Okay. Now what? ingredients in a bowl.
B: To finish off, you
B: Now type in the password. It’s
Dialogue 2 need to add the cream.
February.
A: I completed the first step.
A: Thanks. Oops. Dialogue 2
Now what?
That didn’t work.
A: I ’m finished, right?
B: Now draw a straight line
B: D
id you spell February
in the middle of your page. B: You’re almost there.
correctly? Try again.
There’s one more step.
Don’t forget the first “r.”
Dialogue 3 Initial all five pages in the
A: Oh, that worked. Thank you! bottom right corner.
A: What do I do when the kids
have finished the worksheets? A: Okay. Then I’m done, right?
B: After that, take them B: Yep, then you are good to go.
outside for some fresh air.
Copyright 2017, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( LO W I N T – I N T / V E R S I O N 3 . 0) 1
Following Procedures
Functional English
Step-by-Step Procedures
There are a number of words and expressions
that you can use when giving detailed instructions with
different steps. These can be used in writing or speaking.
First Second, third, etc. Finally
• Firstly... • Secondly... • Lastly...

• First... • Second... • Finally...
• The first thing to do is... • Next... • Last but not least...
• Now... • To finish things off...
• After that... • The last thing you’re
• Then... going to do is...
• When we’re done... • Don’t forget to...
• While you’re waiting for...
Imperative Verb Form

A. Reference B. Circle the Imperative Verbs
The imperative form of a verb is used for giving Circle the imperative verbs in the example instructions:
advice, directions, invitations, orders, and commands.
It is also used for step-by-step instructions.
Using the One-Cup Coffee Machine
To form the imperative, use the verb’s First, turn on the coffee machine.
bare infinitive form (without to).
While you’re waiting for the water
to heat up, take out the red plastic filter
• T
hread the sewing machine.
and fill it with finely ground coffee.
• Cut out the pattern.
• Pin the pattern to the fabric. Now, close the filter lid and
put it back in the machine.
• Cut the fabric on the fold.
After that, choose your cup size.
The expressions in Step-by-Step Procedures Finally, press the power button.
are often used when giving verbal or written Don’t forget to put your cup under the spout.
step-by-step instructions:
Last but not least, enjoy your coffee!
• Firstly, thread the sewing machine.

• T
hen cut out the pattern.
• After that, pin the pattern to the fabric.
• Now cut the fabric.
Functional English
Providing Feedback and Assistance

Sometimes people aren’t able to follow instructions • Not quite like that.
perfectly. The task may be too difficult or the • You may need to try again.
instructions may be unclear. Some people need • Don’t worry! You’ll get it.
a demonstration. Other people need a better • It’s a little tricky at first.
explanation. Some people need to read instructions • Let me show you again.
(or see a diagram). Here are some expressions you • Oops, that didn’t work.
can use when someone is having difficulty following • Did you want me to write it down for you?
your instructions. • Do you want me to show you again?
Grammar Review Idioms and

USEFUL ADVERBS
Expressions
DISCUSSION
When giving instructions, you sometimes need to tell someone how
to do something. Adverbs are used to make directions more specific.
Are you someone who gives up
Choose five of the adverbs below and write one line of directions.
easily, or are you bound and
determined to get the hang
Placement:
of something new? How do you
Keep in mind that adverbs of You may also hear or see the know when it’s time to throw
manner typically go after the verb adverb at the beginning of a set in the towel? What do you find
(and object) when giving directions: of instructions (before the verb): easy peasy? What new skills
have you learned recently?
• Release the valve quickly. • Quickly release the valve.
What do you want to learn?
Word List Discuss these questions with

your classmates, and practice
carefully slowly promptly wisely regularly
quickly perfectly politely seriously using these expressions. Ask
your teacher if you can’t figure
out what these expressions mean.
1. Choose a book quickly.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Functional English
Modals
EXTENDED LEARNING
A. Using Modals of Advice
A modal verb is a helping verb. It is always followed

by a base verb (a verb with no ending). The modal verb
“should” is often used when giving and asking for instructions.
Example 1:
A: What should I do next?

Note:
You can also use “had better” for a stronger meaning
B: You should call the plumber. than “should.” Use “ought to” for a weaker meaning.
A: Should I wait until after work? • We had better call the police.
• You ought to ask your mom.
B: No, you should call now.
Example 2:
A: Where should I put all of these water bottles?
B: You should throw them in the recycling bin.
A: Should I empty them first?
B: Yes. We should water the plants with them.
Practice:
Read the example dialogues out loud with a partner.

Then circle the modals in Example 2 and underline the base verbs.
Functional English
Modals cont.
B. Using Modals of Necessity
Modals of necessity are often used for warnings and extra details

in instructions and procedures. Here are the modals you can use:
• must / mustn’t
• have to / don’t have to
• need to / don’t need to
Example 1: Example 2:
A: When should we arrive? A: The instructions say we must use glue.

Do we have to?
B: You must arrive by 9:00 am.
B: You don’t have to, but you should.
A: Do we have to bring a lunch?
A: I think we should use tape.
B: You don’t need to bring a lunch,
but you ought to bring a water bottle. B: That’s fine. You had better
use transparent tape, though.
Practice:
Note: Read the dialogues with a partner. Can you spot
In informal conversations, the base verb is sometimes where the base verbs were dropped in Example 2?
dropped after the modal if the meaning is implied.
C. Corrections
Read the following sentences and correct the mistakes.
1. What I should do next?
2. You ought to be call your dad. Common Error

3. We must to order the parts. Because ought to, have to, and need to
have the word “to” in it, many English
4. You don’t need bring anything.
learners incorrectly add “to” after must.
5. Should park in the lot?
• You must to call the plumber.
6. They don’t need separating the garbage.
Functional English
Review
Task 1
SENTENCE BUILDING
Complete the dialogues by filling in the blanks with appropriate

statements or questions. Try not to use the same response or
statement more than once. Practice your dialogues with a partner.
1. A: What do I do first? B:
2. A: I ’m finished, right? B:
3. A: Okay. Now what? B:
4. A: B: Finally, cut the top off with scissors.
5. A: B: Next, let it dry for an hour.
6. A: What do I do after I thread the sewing machine? B:
7. A: B: Now put the bread in the oven.
8. A: Are there any more steps? B:
9. A: B: First, put the car in park.
10. A: Thanks for your help! I learned a lot. B:
Functional English
Review cont.
Task 2
HOW-TO ARTICLE
Everyone is an expert at something! What are you an expert at?
• •
• •
Use the space below to plan a How-To article on this subject.

Then write your article and hand it in to your teacher. Use the
language for writing procedures that you learned in this lesson.
How to
Introduction:
Supplies: Procedures:
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
Conclusion:
Functional English
Review cont.
Task 3
SEQUENCING
The following conversation is out of order.

Place the conversation in the correct order from 1–10.
Then circle the modals and underline the base verbs.
Yes, you should combine them all in a bowl. You ought to use a big bowl.
You don’t need to look at the recipe. All you need is milk, eggs, sugar, and butter.
Okay. They are mixed. Should I roll out the dough?
Do I need to look at the recipe to find the ingredients?
2 First, you should get out all of the ingredients.
What should I do first?
Okay. I have all of the ingredients. Should I put them in a bowl?
7 Now what should I do? Should I mix them together?
Yes. You must mix them with a wooden spoon. You shouldn’t use a mixer.
Not yet. First, you have to wait 20 minutes. We should have a coffee while we wait.
Functional English
Learner Reflection
FOLLOWING PROCEDURES
Add check marks () to show what you've learned in this lesson.
Name: Date:
Yes (very well) Yes (with help) Not yet

Can I...
give and follow step-by-step procedures?
identify and use imperative verbs?
provide feedback and assistance

after explaining procedures?
use adverbs while explaining procedures?
use modals of advice?
use modals of necessity?
place procedures in the correct order?
My Notes
Functional English
Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Beg – Int
Students review language and useful expressions TIME: 1 hour

for giving instructions and describing a process.
TAGS: functional English, useful expressions,
They review adverbs of manner and learn related idioms.
intermediate, procedures, process, instructions,
directions, adverbs of manner, imperative, idioms
Warm-Up Providing Feedback and Assistance
Individual answers. Read the examples out loud for your students. Use expression
in your voice and on your face. Have your students look at each
Dialogues other’s faces as they practice. Explain that facial expressions can
help people on the receiving end feel better about the mistakes
they’ve made.
Read out loud in pairs.
Grammar Review: Useful Adverbs

Step-by-Step Procedures
Review Adverbs of Manner with your students.
Review useful words and phrases for describing beginning,
You may want to try our Grammar Practice Worksheets
middle, and ending steps in a set of instructions.
lesson: https://esllibrary.com/courses/88/lessons/1626
Imperative Verb Form (continued on the next page...)
A. REFERENCE
Review the imperative verb form with your students.
B. CIRCLE THE IMPER ATIVE VERBS
The following verbs should be circled:

turn on, take out, fill, close, put, choose, press, don’t forget, enjoy
Functional English
Answer Key cont.

Idioms and Expressions Modals
Have a discussion with your students Use this optional section if your students are ready to learn
using some related idioms and expressions: about modals. Assessment Task 3 on page 8 can be used
after this section. For comprehensive lessons on Modals,
give up or throw in the towel
check out our Grammar Practice Worksheets section:
to quit trying (to surrender)
https://esllibrary.com/courses/88/lessons
bound and determined
to have a strong feeling of wanting to A. USING MODALS OF ADVICE
accomplish or complete something
In Example 2, the following words should be circled and underlined:
get the hang of
A: Where should I put all of these water bottles?
to become capable and accustomed to
B: You should throw them in the recycling bin.
something that seemed difficult at first
A: Should I empty them first?
easy peasy B: Yes. We should water the plants with them.
very simple or easy
B. USING MODALS OF NECESSIT Y
A: The instructions say we must use glue. Do we have to [use glue]?

B: You don’t have to [use glue], but you should [use glue].
C. CORRECTIONS
You can ask students to make corrections

in their notebooks, or do this task orally as a class.
1. What should I do next?

2. You ought to call your dad.
3. We must order the parts.
4. You don’t need to bring anything.
5. Should I park in the lot?
6. They don’t need to separate the garbage.
(continued on the next page...)
Functional English
Answer Key cont.

Review (Assessment Tasks) As a follow-up task, you could ask students to rewrite the
instructions with imperative verbs (omit the modals).
The following tasks can be used for • What do I do first?

assessment purposes and/or review practice. • First, get out all of the ingredients.
TASK 1
Learner Reflection
Remind students to use complete sentences when they
answer or write the question or response. (Answers will vary.) When you are finished with this lesson, have your
Give students time to practice their sentences out loud in pairs. students reflect on their learning by filling in the chart.
This task could be completed following the Imperative Verb
Form section on page 2. SPELLING NOTE:
This lesson shows the American spelling of the word Practice.

TASK 2
Other English-speaking countries spell it this way: Practise
Invite students to write a How-To article on a subject they are (when used as a verb; Practice when used as a noun).
experts at. Choose a few samples to show your students here: Make it a challenge for your students to find this word
http://www.ehow.com. Alternatively, your students could write in the lesson and see if they know the alternate spelling.
the script for a How-To video and record the demonstration.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
TASK 3
For a review and teaching tips of all the possible
Give your students some time to place the conversation in the adverb patterns, see “7 Adverb Patterns” on our blog.
correct order. When students have finished, they can get together http://blog.esllibrary.com/2014/04/24/7-adverb-patterns/
with a partner to read out the conversation to see if it makes sense.
Then have two students read the correct sequence.
ABOUT THE EMOJI:
6 Y
es, you should combine them all in a bowl.
The emoji (and their derivatives) used in this lesson are from
You ought to use a big bowl.
Twemoji, an open-source project by Twitter. They are licensed
4 Y
ou don’t need to look at the recipe.
under CC-BY 4.0. https://github.com/twitter/twemoji
All you need is milk, eggs, sugar, and butter.
9 Okay. They are mixed. Should I roll out the dough?
3 Do I need to look at the recipe to find the ingredients?
2 First, you should get out all of the ingredients.
1 What should I do first?
5 Okay. I have all of the ingredients. Should I put them in a bowl?
7 Now what should I do? Should I mix them together?
8 Yes. You must mix them with a
wooden spoon. You shouldn’t use a mixer.
10 Not yet. First, you have to wait 20 minutes.
We should have a coffee while we wait.

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Functional English

A: I can’t get onto your Wi-Fi. Dialogue 1 Dialogue 1

First Second, third, etc. Finally

• Firstly... • Secondly... • Lastly...

Imperative Verb Form

• Firstly, thread the sewing machine.

Providing Feedback and Assistance

Grammar Review Idioms and

Word List Discuss these questions with

A. Using Modals of Advice

A modal verb is a helping verb. It is always followed

A: What should I do next?

A: Where should I put all of these water bottles?

B: You should throw them in the recycling bin.

A: Should I empty them first?

B: Yes. We should water the plants with them.

Read the example dialogues out loud with a partner.

Modals of necessity are often used for warnings and extra details

A: When should we arrive? A: The instructions say we must use glue.

Read the following sentences and correct the mistakes.

1. What I should do next?

2. You ought to be call your dad. Common Error

Complete the dialogues by filling in the blanks with appropriate

1. A: What do I do first? B:

2. A: I ’m finished, right? B:

3. A: Okay. Now what? B:

4. A: B: Finally, cut the top off with scissors.

5. A: B: Next, let it dry for an hour.

6. A: What do I do after I thread the sewing machine? B:

7. A: B: Now put the bread in the oven.

8. A: Are there any more steps? B:

9. A: B: First, put the car in park.

10. A: Thanks for your help! I learned a lot. B:

Everyone is an expert at something! What are you an expert at?

Use the space below to plan a How-To article on this subject.

The following conversation is out of order.

Okay. They are mixed. Should I roll out the dough?

Do I need to look at the recipe to find the ingredients?

2 First, you should get out all of the ingredients.

What should I do first?

Okay. I have all of the ingredients. Should I put them in a bowl?

7 Now what should I do? Should I mix them together?

Name: Date:

Yes (very well) Yes (with help) Not yet

give and follow step-by-step procedures?

identify and use imperative verbs?

provide feedback and assistance

use adverbs while explaining procedures?

use modals of advice?

use modals of necessity?

place procedures in the correct order?

Students review language and useful expressions TIME: 1 hour

Warm-Up Providing Feedback and Assistance

Grammar Review: Useful Adverbs

Imperative Verb Form (continued on the next page...)

Review the imperative verb form with your students.

B. CIRCLE THE IMPER ATIVE VERBS

The following verbs should be circled:

Answer Key cont.

A: The instructions say we must use glue. Do we have to [use glue]?

You can ask students to make corrections

1. What should I do next?

(continued on the next page...)

A: I can’t get onto your Wi-Fi. Dialogue 1 Dialogue 1

• Firstly, thread the sewing machine.

Grammar Review Idioms and

A: When should we arrive? A: The instructions say we must use glue.

1. A: What do I do first? B:

2. A: I ’m finished, right? B:

3. A: Okay. Now what? B:

4. A: B: Finally, cut the top off with scissors.

5. A: B: Next, let it dry for an hour.

6. A: What do I do after I thread the sewing machine? B:

7. A: B: Now put the bread in the oven.

8. A: Are there any more steps? B:

9. A: B: First, put the car in park.