Work tasks and simple instructions
Learn how to talk about work tasks and give simple instructions using imperatives and present simple in a real adult context.
work tasks
imperatives
present simple
role-play
Objective: Give and follow simple instructions at work or study.
Warm-up · Speak (5 min)
- What tasks do you do at work or in class?
- Do you answer emails?
- Do you work with a team?
- Do you follow instructions every day?
Vocabulary · Work tasks (20 min)
Communication
- answer emails
- send messages
- call a client
- write a report
Organization
- plan the day
- make a list
- check the calendar
- take notes
Meetings
- join a meeting
- start the meeting
- share updates
- finish the meeting
Exercise 1 · Categorize
Write C (communication), O (organization), or M (meetings).
write a report ___ · check the calendar ___ · join a meeting ___ · answer emails ___ · take notes ___
Write C (communication), O (organization), or M (meetings).
write a report ___ · check the calendar ___ · join a meeting ___ · answer emails ___ · take notes ___
Exercise 2 · Matching
1) plan the day → a) organize your time
2) write a report → b) write information
3) join a meeting → c) enter a meeting call
1) plan the day → a) organize your time
2) write a report → b) write information
3) join a meeting → c) enter a meeting call
Exercise 3 · Fill in the blanks
1) I ________ emails in the morning.
2) I ________ notes in meetings.
3) I ________ the calendar every day.
1) I ________ emails in the morning.
2) I ________ notes in meetings.
3) I ________ the calendar every day.
Exercise 4 · Personal sentences
Write 5 true sentences about your tasks at work/study.
Write 5 true sentences about your tasks at work/study.
Extension · Mini-dialogue builder
Create a 2–4 line dialogue using: send, check, meeting.
Create a 2–4 line dialogue using: send, check, meeting.
Extension · Find someone who…
…answers emails every day.
…writes reports at work.
…joins online meetings.
…answers emails every day.
…writes reports at work.
…joins online meetings.
Grammar · Imperatives (Do / Don’t) (20 min)
- Check the calendar.
- Send the email.
- Take notes in the meeting.
- Don’t be late.
- Don’t use your phone in the meeting.
Exercise 5 · Choose the correct option
1) (Check / Checks) the calendar.
2) (Send / Sends) the message.
3) (Don’t / Doesn’t) be late.
1) (Check / Checks) the calendar.
2) (Send / Sends) the message.
3) (Don’t / Doesn’t) be late.
Exercise 6 · Complete sentences
Use: Check / Send / Take / Don’t
1) ________ notes in the meeting.
2) ________ the report to your manager.
3) ________ forget the time.
Use: Check / Send / Take / Don’t
1) ________ notes in the meeting.
2) ________ the report to your manager.
3) ________ forget the time.
Exercise 7 · Transform
Change to Don’t (negative instruction).
1) Be late. → ________ be late.
2) Use your phone. → ________ use your phone.
Change to Don’t (negative instruction).
1) Be late. → ________ be late.
2) Use your phone. → ________ use your phone.
Exercise 8 · Error correction
Correct the mistakes.
1) Checks the calendar every day.
2) Don't to be late.
3) Sendes the email now.
Correct the mistakes.
1) Checks the calendar every day.
2) Don't to be late.
3) Sendes the email now.
Extension · Short controlled writing
Write 4–6 simple instructions for a new coworker or classmate.
Write 4–6 simple instructions for a new coworker or classmate.
Micro-quiz (5 items)
1) ________ the email. (Send / Sends)
2) ________ late. (Don’t be / Don’t)
3) ________ notes. (Take / Takes)
4) ________ the calendar. (Check / Checks)
5) ________ your phone. (Don’t use / Doesn’t use)
1) ________ the email. (Send / Sends)
2) ________ late. (Don’t be / Don’t)
3) ________ notes. (Take / Takes)
4) ________ the calendar. (Check / Checks)
5) ________ your phone. (Don’t use / Doesn’t use)
Reading · First day at work (10–15 min)
It is my first day at work. My manager gives me simple instructions. “Check the calendar. Answer emails. Join the meeting at 10:00.”
In the meeting, I take notes and share a short update. After the meeting, I write a small report. I feel more confident because the instructions are clear.
Exercise 9 · True / False
1) It is the person’s first day at work. ____
2) The manager says “Don’t check the calendar.” ____
3) The person writes a report after the meeting. ____
1) It is the person’s first day at work. ____
2) The manager says “Don’t check the calendar.” ____
3) The person writes a report after the meeting. ____
Exercise 10 · Short answers
1) What time is the meeting?
2) What does the person do in the meeting?
3) What does the person do after the meeting?
1) What time is the meeting?
2) What does the person do in the meeting?
3) What does the person do after the meeting?
Personal question
Do you like clear instructions? Why?
Do you like clear instructions? Why?
Scanning · Find the information (4 items)
Find: calendar · emails · meeting · report
Find: calendar · emails · meeting · report
Highlight vocabulary
Underline 6 work words in the text (example: meeting, report).
Underline 6 work words in the text (example: meeting, report).
Speaking + Role-play + Mini Project (15 min)
Sentence frames
Please ________ the ________.
________ the email now.
Don’t ________ in the meeting.
Please ________ the ________.
________ the email now.
Don’t ________ in the meeting.
Exercise 11 · Controlled speaking
Complete and say 6 instructions:
Complete and say 6 instructions:
- ________ the calendar.
- ________ notes in the meeting.
- ________ the report.
- Don’t ________ late.
- Don’t ________ your phone.
- ________ the message.
Exercise 12 · Role-play (A/B)
A (manager): Give 5 instructions for today.
B (new coworker): Ask one question and confirm: “OK. I will…”.
Prompt cards: meeting at 10:00 · email a client · check calendar · write a report · take notes
A (manager): Give 5 instructions for today.
B (new coworker): Ask one question and confirm: “OK. I will…”.
Prompt cards: meeting at 10:00 · email a client · check calendar · write a report · take notes
Mini project
Write 8–10 sentences about your day at work/study. Include:
Write 8–10 sentences about your day at work/study. Include:
- 4 routine actions (present simple)
- 4 instructions (imperatives)
- 2 time expressions (in the morning / in the afternoon / at night)
Flunex English · A1 Starter · Unit 6C · ULTRA (60–75 min)