Can You Fly? ESL lesson thumbnail
Book 1 · Unit 18Beginner · Ages 6–9

Can You Fly?

This abilities ESL lesson teaches action verbs with 'Can you...?', 'I can' and 'I can't'. Students respond to movement challenges, sing about animal abilities and interview a partner with superhero cards. They make an I Can poster and confidently present an ability to the class.

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Lesson format

2 × 45 minutes

Level

Beginner

Age group

Ages 6–9

Main focus

Speaking first

What students will learn

• Use 'can' and 'can't' to describe abilities
• Recognize and name common action verbs
• Practise asking and answering ability questions
• Move, roleplay, and express themselves creatively
• Make an 'I Can' poster craft
• Practise a superpower-interview pair game

Lesson flow

Children perform quick actions on command and answer trick questions like 'Can you fly?', sing ability songs acting out jumping and swimming, and watch a video asking comprehension questions. The second lesson sings an Animals Can song acting as different animals, interviews a partner with superhero ability cards, and makes an 'I Can' poster to present ('This is me. I can jump!'), finishing with a Can You...? challenge game.

Target language

  • • 'Can you ___?'
  • • 'Yes, I can' / 'No, I can't'
  • • 'I can ___' / 'I can't ___'
  • • Action verb vocabulary

Key vocabulary

  • fly
  • swim
  • run
  • jump
  • hop
  • crawl
  • elephant
  • bird
  • fish
  • frog

Speaking questions students answer

  • • Can you swim?
  • • Can you climb?
  • • What can she do?
  • • Can you dance like a monkey?
  • • Can you draw a cat?

Recommended teaching contexts

• Beginner ESL and EFL classes• Ages 6–9• Primary school classrooms• Language schools• Private and small-group lessons• Teaching animals vocabulary• Pair and whole-class speaking• Interactive whiteboards and online teaching

Why this lesson works

The lesson follows a clear progression: Answer 'Can you...?' in an action warm-up game, interview classmates with superhero ability cards, make an 'I Can' poster and challenge a classmate. Teachers can open the materials and start immediately, while students move from supported vocabulary practice to purposeful spoken English.

This lesson includes

• Interactive lesson slides
• Teacher guide
• Printable worksheets
• Speaking practice: "Can you swim?"
• Classroom games
• Videos
• Vocabulary practice
• Pair work
• Extension activities

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