Hibiscus Teach · Vids
I need help: two E.T. scenes
Practise saying what you need and offering help.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Watch each clip, then try its activities.
The films and cartoons use natural English. Focus on the task and the pictures; you do not need to understand every word. Use English captions when the source provides them. Definitions, examples and model answers are original teaching material; vocabulary may describe a scene without being spoken in it.
Useful language
Use I need + noun: I need a phone. Use I want to + verb: I want to call home. To offer help, ask Can I help you? To ask for help, say Can you help me, please?
Say it now: Speak for 30 seconds. Say something you need, then ask for help.
Example answer
I need a phone. I want to call my family. Can you help me, please?
Solo: change one detail. Tutor: ask one simple question about the answer.
E.T.: calling home
E.T. points to his home and tries to explain what he wants. Listen for phone and home.
Selected extract: 1:56 to 2:45. Press play after loading. Source: Movieclips.
Watch and check: 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- B. Phone and home E.T. uses phone and home to communicate his wish.
- A. To call someone Elliott realises that E.T. wants to call somebody at home.
- C. He points to the sky. He points upwards while trying to show where his home is.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Said in a statement, say after did
“He said phone.”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Said is the irregular past form in a statement. A question uses did + say, because did already marks the past. What asks for the word spoken.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Imagine you are away from home and need to contact someone. Say what you need and why.
Model answer
I need a phone. I want to call my sister. Can you help me, please?
Your answer can be different.
Solo: offer help as the other person. Tutor: Who would you call first in a new place?
E.T.: a sore finger
Watch the finger and E.T.’s response. Ouch is a short word people use when something hurts.
Selected extract: 1:05 to 1:23. Press play after loading. Source: Movieclips.
Watch and check: 3 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- C. A finger The scene focuses on Elliott’s finger.
- A. Ouch They say Ouch during the moment with the finger.
- B. Helps with the finger E.T. uses his glowing finger to help Elliott. This is a fantasy scene.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Do in a question with a main verb
“Do you believe in fairies?”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
For a present question with believe, use do + person + base verb. After does, the main verb still has no -s.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Role-play a small problem and an offer of help.
Model answer
My finger hurts. Can you help me, please? Yes. Can I get some water for you?
Your answer can be different.
Solo: speak both parts. Tutor: What kind words help someone who has a small problem?
Listen, repeat and use
Listen once, then repeat. Replace a word or name to make each sentence true for you.
I need a phone.
Say what you need.
I want to call home.
Explain what you want to do.
Can you help me, please?
Ask for help.
Can I help you?
Offer help.
Check what you can use
Mastery quiz: 6 questions
Choose one answer for each question, then read the feedback. Replay the extract if you need to.
Answer key and explanations
- C. to Use want to + base verb.
- A. a Use a before singular countable phone.
- B. Can I help you? Can I help you? offers your help to someone.
- C. Can you help me, please? This asks another person to help you.
- A. hand Your fingers are at the end of your hand.
- B. pain People say Ouch when something hurts.
Final speaking challenge
Return to one speaking task. Say your answer again without reading the model. Use two useful phrases from this lesson.
Solo: record 30 to 45 seconds, then listen for the phrases you used. Tutor: ask one follow-up question and help the learner say the answer again.
1–2 minGrammar masteryB1 · Reporting a conditional instruction
“If you believe, clap your hands.”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
An if-clause can set a condition for an instruction. In a report, use told/asked + people + to and retain the condition.