Welcoming new colleagues: using modals for offers and requests

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B1 learners explores Welcoming new colleagues: using modals for offers and requests through a real article. Across 10 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: Modal verbs for requests, offers, and advice with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for offering help to a new colleague
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness

Lesson activities (10 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
5. Grammar — Study Modal verbs for requests, offers, and advice — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for offering help to a new colleague — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Fill the gaps — Complete sentences with the correct vocabulary. Drag and drop or type your answers.
9. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:

• Show someone the ropes — to teach someone how to do a specific job or task.
• Get up to speed — to learn all the current information about a situation or project.
• Settle in — to start to feel comfortable and relaxed in a new job or place.
• Go-to person — the first person you should ask for help or information about a specific topic.
• Team-building activity — an event or exercise designed to help a group work together more effectively.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on Modal verbs for requests, offers, and advice.

In the workplace, we use modal verbs like 'can', 'could', and 'should' to be polite and professional. We use 'can' and 'could' to ask for things or offer help, and 'should' to give friendly advice or suggestions to colleagues.

Examples from the lesson:

• Could you show me how to access the shared drive? — Use 'could' to make a request more polite than 'can'.
• Can I help you set up your email account? — Use 'can I...?' as a friendly and common way to offer help.
• You should introduce yourself to the team during the morning meeting. — Use 'should' to give advice or a suggestion, not a strong command.

Key rules:

• Use 'could' for more polite requests than 'can'.
• Use 'can I...?' to make a friendly offer of help.
• Use 'should' for giving advice, not for strong orders.

Practical English

Offering help to a new colleague

It's a new colleague's first day. Use these phrases to make them feel welcome, offer your help, and include them in the team.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "It's great to have you on the team." — a warm and friendly welcome.
• "Let me know if you need anything at all." — a general offer of help.
• "Can I give you a hand with that?" — a specific offer of help.
• "How are you settling in?" — asking how they are adjusting to the new job.
• "Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions." — encouraging them to ask for help.