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ECQ / Lesson plansLesson 01 · Teacher guide

A2 ESL role-play · Polite requests

The Wrong Delivery

A film crew has the wrong props. The learner calls the supplier to put things right.

Adults and teens
Online one-to-one or classroom pairs
About 35 minutes · optional 10-minute second case

Start teaching →PDF and print materials ↓Read the lesson plan steps ↓

Opens your private teacher view with each instruction, the learner task, and a link to send.

A film studio with a blue coat, a modern black suitcase, a lamp, a blue chair, and a white chair.
The delivery has arrived. What needs to change?

Before you start

The learning aim: Explain a delivery problem, ask for a replacement, and confirm the items and delivery time.

Learner needs
Basic colours, numbers, everyday objects, and simple questions. Teach or review ordered, received, matching, and replacement before the call.
Your role
In a one-to-one lesson, you are the supplier and the learner is the film assistant. Read Supplier card 1 online before class. Keep your stock and times private.
Online class setup
Use your usual online setup. Select Start teaching, send the learner link, and follow the lesson plan steps together. If you share your screen, share only the learner display.
Classroom setup
Print one Crew card 1 and one Supplier card 1 for each pair. Give partners different cards and ask them to keep them private. Learners write the agreement on the crew card.
Grammar and vocabulary focus Teacher notesGrammar: Polite requests · past simple · questions with canWords: ordered, received, matching, replacement, delivery, deliver

Choose one or two targets if useful. The task is successful when the learner explains the problem and agrees on a workable plan. Other clear, natural wording is welcome.

Grammar you can point to

Polite requests: could + subject + verb
Could you send a red coat, please? Ask for a replacement.
Past simple: ordered and received
We ordered a red coat, but we received a blue one. Explain what went wrong.
Questions with can
When can you deliver it? Check what is possible and when.

Possible review: adjective + noun groups (an old black suitcase), singular and plural nouns (one chair / two chairs), and time expressions (at four / by five / today).

Vocabulary you can choose

Useful task words
order, delivery, wrong, matching, replacement, deliver
Describe the items
red, blue, white, black; old, modern; small, large; round, square
Name the objects
coat, suitcase, lamp, chair; cup, table, umbrella in the extra task
Explain only if needed
props, hire, supplier

Teach only the words the learner needs. You do not need to teach every grammar point or every word.

One lesson / six steps

The lesson at a glance

Use these times as a guide. The main lesson uses the first delivery only.

  1. 01

    Meet the film crew

    3 min

    Show the picture. The learner is the film assistant; you are the supplier. Ask the learner to name the objects.

    Teach step 1 →
  2. 02

    Find the mistakes

    5 min

    Compare the order and delivery. Ask what must change and what can stay. The lamp is correct.

    Teach step 2 →
  3. 03

    Practise the language

    8 min

    Model one request. Let the learner practise requests for two items. Use the short example call if they need a model.

    Teach step 3 →

    Optional help: a brief politeness check, word meanings, and an example call. Accept other clear, natural requests.

  4. 04

    Make the call

    10 min

    Give one minute to prepare. Take the supplier role using Supplier card 1. Agree on replacements and a delivery time.

    Teach step 4 →
  5. 05

    Check the agreement

    5 min

    Check that the items and time work. Correct one error, or help the learner make a correct request more specific. Ask them to say it again.

    Teach step 5 →
    What to listen for
    • Explains what was ordered and what arrived
    • Makes a clear request
    • Responds to an alternative
    • Confirms the final items and delivery time

    Note which actions needed help. This is a practice check, not a level test.

  6. 06

    Finish

    4 min

    Ask for a short message to the crew: what will arrive, and when? Use the new poster problem for one final request.

    Teach step 6 →

PDF and print materials

These optional PDFs are for both online and classroom lessons.

Online: use the learner pages, or send the crew cards as a file. Keep the supplier cards and teacher guide for yourself.

Classroom: print Crew card 1 and Supplier card 1 for each pair. Give each partner a different card. Keep cards private.

Each card file has two pages: main case on page 1, extra case on page 2. Both work in black and white.

ADownload crew cardsPDF · Learner role · 2 pagesBDownload supplier cardsPDF · Teacher or partner role · 2 pagesTDownload teacher guidePDF · Steps, language targets, and answers · 4 pages

Optional support and practice

A second delivery · about 10 more minutes

Use this after the main lesson if there is time. Keep the same roles. The learner checks a new order, makes another call, and confirms the plan.

Teach the extra task →
Make it easier, or use it with pairs

More support: start with the coat and suitcase. Model a request together and leave phrase help open. Add the chairs when the first exchange works.

Pairs: give one learner Crew card 1 and the other Supplier card 1. Keep cards private. Allow extra time to change roles.

More challenge: hide phrase help and ask the learner to confirm collection of the wrong items too.

Optional homework · three sentences

Imagine a different delivery problem. Write three sentences: explain what was wrong, ask for a replacement, and ask when it can arrive.

The final learner page has the task. Use it for a short review at the next class.