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General English · Speaking · A2

Giving simple advice

Respond to a small everyday difficulty with a helpful suggestion and reason.

Lesson 7 · About 18 minutes

Learn: your objectives

  • Offer advice without giving orders.
  • Explain why a suggestion may help.

Warm-up

Think about these questions. Say a short answer aloud.

  • What helps you remember new words?
  • How can someone prepare for a busy morning?

Useful language

Helpful suggestions

You could …

Present one possible action.

You could put a reminder on your phone.

Why don't you …?

Suggest an action in a friendly way.

Why don't you pack your bag the night before?

That might help because …

Explain a possible benefit, not a guarantee.

That might help because you'll have less to do in the morning.

Notice: model speaking

Read aloud. Notice how the speakers use the phrases and respond to each other.

Dina: I keep forgetting my notebook.

Leo: You could put it in your bag after class.

Dina: I sometimes need it at home, though.

Leo: Then why don't you leave a note by the door? That might help you remember it.

Dina: Good idea. I'll try that tomorrow.

Speaking strategy

Listen to the difficulty before giving advice. Offer one manageable idea and adjust it if the other person explains a problem with it.

Pronunciation & fluency focus

Practise ‘You could …’ as a short opening, then stress the action: ‘You could set a REMINDER.’ Keep your tone friendly, not commanding.

Teaching guidance, not an analysis of your voice.

Use: controlled practice

Choose a useful response for each situation. Check when all questions are answered. These are phrase exercises, not a speaking assessment.

1. A friend forgets appointments. Give a practical suggestion.
2. Which wording presents advice as an option?
3. Your first idea will not work for your friend. Respond.
4. Add a reason for packing a bag at night.
5. Acknowledge useful advice without promising success.

Build your answer

Write a few keywords. Then look away and speak. Notes stay on this page only.

Speak: your challenge

Give a friend advice about finding time to read. Speak for 45 seconds, explain one practical idea and ask whether it would work for them.

Use could or why don't you. Avoid promises that one idea will solve everything.

Speak aloud. This page does not record, listen to or assess your speech. There is no automatic speaking score.

Self-check

Open to everyone. Answers, notes and checklists are not saved to an account. These original lessons use level labels to organize learning; completion is not official CEFR certification or proof of a level.