This document provides information and examples about teaching modals, including had to and could. It explains that modals are used to talk about obligations, suggestions, advice, and expectations. Specific uses of had to as describing past obligations and necessities are explained. Examples are given for simple modals in the present and future and perfect modals in the past. Strong necessities are distinguished using must, have to, and have got to. Had better is explained for giving warnings. Should is described as offering advice. Could and might are presented as being more gentle than should. Suggested classroom activities for practicing modals through surveys, sentence pairs, and conversation cards are outlined.

1. HAD TO
COULD
Prepared by: Tatjana Lipovac

2. What are had to/could?
How could I
teach modals?
They are modals

3. Why do we use modals?
We use modals to talk about
obligations, suggestions, advise and
expectations!

4. HAD TO
1.
We use it to
describe past
obligations and
necessities
What? Would you
explain this please?

5. Simple modals: Present
and future
• Modal + base form
• Examples:
– We should invite your friend to my
party.
– We could buy some soda if you have
money.
– You might want to call your mom and tell
her you are at a friend’s house.

6. Perfect modals: past
• Modal + have + past participle
• Examples:
– You should have called me last night.
– Mary should have done her homework
this week.
– We should not have made a big mess
here.

7. Showing strong necessity:
Must………I must go to sleep!
Have to……..I have to go to sleep!
Have got to…I have got to go to sleep!

8. Had better…for a warning!
Use “had better” to give a warning that something
bad will happen if the advise is not followed.
You had better study tonight or you might fail the
test.
He had better go home now or he will be in
trouble!

9. Use Should to offer
advise
Should means…it would be a good idea.
You should eat something you are hungry.
You should read a book and turn off the
television.
They should stop being so loud.
We should have a party at the beach.

10. Could or might are more
gentle than should….
You could read a book.
They might like the movie.
We could buy some candy.
I might play basketball.
He could win your blue marble.

11. Practicing modals:
Do class surveys:
Who might want to play basketball at
recess?
Who should be the student of the week?
When should we go to PE?
Don’t forget to model the appropriate responses!

12. Sentence pairs:
He must be here
I should buy a
present
You could call me
tonight
They should come to
my house
He could win a prize
because I see his
jacket on his chair.
because it is Julie’s
birthday.
since you will be at
home.
to play Nintendo.
if he turns in his
raffle ticket.
Do whole group, in pairs……….

13. Conversation cards:
Small group discussions
Why should
the school
day be
shorter?
What would
you do if you
won a million
dollars?
Name three
things you
should not do
in class.
If you could
meet one
famous
person, who
would it be?
What could
you do to be a
good friend?
What might
happen if pigs
could fly?

14. Practice…..
You must provide your
students with
opportunities to
practice and use
modals.
Their skills should
improve if they
practice!
Yippee! My students
could be successful
using modals