Lesson: I Can and I Can’t

A woman learning to play the guitar via an online lesson on a laptop, representing learning new skills.

Activity I: Vocabulary

Can – To be able to do something.
Can't (Cannot) – To not be able to do something.
Able – Having the power, skill, or means to do something.
Skill – An ability to do something well, gained through practice.
Try – To make an attempt to do something.
Learn – To gain knowledge or a new skill.
Help – To make it easier for someone to do something.
Teach – To show or explain to someone how to do something.

Activity II: Reading

Talking about what we can and can't do is a very important part of everyday English. The words "can" and "can't" (which is short for "cannot") help us express our abilities and limitations. For adult beginners, understanding and using these words correctly is a big step in becoming more confident English speakers. It allows you to share what you are good at and what you might need help with.

People all over the world have different skills. Some people can swim very well, while others can cook delicious meals. Many people can use a computer or speak more than one language. For example, someone might say, "I can ride a bicycle," or "She can play the piano." It's also normal that there are things we can't do. Perhaps someone can't drive a car yet, or they can't draw pictures well. This is okay, as everyone has different strengths and areas they are still learning.

Forming sentences with "can" and "can't" is quite simple. For positive statements, you say: Subject + can + verb (e.g., "I can sing."). For negative statements: Subject + can't + verb (e.g., "He can't dance."). To ask a question about ability, you start with "Can": Can + subject + verb? (e.g., "Can you speak French?"). The answer can be "Yes, I can," or "No, I can't." This structure is the same for everyone – I, you, he, she, it, we, they.

It's exciting to learn new skills. If there's something you can't do now, you can always try to learn it. You could say, "I can't play chess yet, but I want to learn." This shows a positive attitude. Many skills take practice. Remember, if you can't do something today, it doesn't mean you can't do it in the future. With effort and sometimes a little help from a teacher or friend, you can learn many new things. Using "can" and "can't" helps you talk about this learning journey.

Activity III: Role Play (Talking About Skills)

Instructions: Practice the dialogue with your teacher. One person is Marco (A), and the other is Sofia (B).

A: Sofia, can you cook well? I'm trying to learn.

B: Yes, I can cook a few dishes. I enjoy it. What can you make?

A: I can make simple pasta, but I can't bake cakes at all!

B: Baking can be tricky! I can bake cookies, but I can't make bread.

A: That's interesting. Can you speak any other languages?

B: I can speak a little Spanish. I learned it in school. How about you?

A: I can understand some Spanish, but I can't speak it fluently. I want to learn.

B: You can try! There are many apps that can help you learn.

A: That's a good idea. What about sports? Can you play any sports?

B: I can swim, and I can play tennis a little. I can't play basketball though.

A: I can't swim, unfortunately. But I can ride a bicycle very well.

B: Riding a bicycle is a great skill! Maybe you can teach me sometime?

A: I can try to help you learn! And maybe you can teach me some cooking tips?

B: Of course! I can show you how to make my favorite chicken dish.

A: That sounds wonderful! It's good to know what we can and can't do.

B: Yes, and it's always fun to learn new skills together.

Activity IV: Let's Practice

Talk About Your Abilities with Your Teacher.

Tell your teacher about three things you can do well. Then, tell them about two things you can't do, or can't do very well yet. You can also talk about a skill you would like to learn. Ask your teacher what they can and can't do too! Use "can" and "can't" in your sentences.