Hibiscus Teach · Vids
Let’s play: Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web
Practise inviting someone to play and asking for 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 Can we + verb? to ask permission: Can we play? Use Let’s + verb to suggest something together: Let’s go. Please makes a request more polite. Say Thank you after someone helps.
Say it now: Speak for 30 seconds. Invite a friend to play and ask for help with one thing.
Example answer
Let’s play a game. Can we play here? Help me with the pieces, please.
Solo: change one detail. Tutor: ask one simple question about the answer.
Stuart Little: can we play?
Stuart wants to play with George’s toy. Listen for please and thank you.
Selected extract: 0:00 to 0:33. 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. A train He asks whether the toy is a train and whether they can play with it.
- A. Please He repeats please when asking to play.
- C. Thank you George thanks Stuart after he helps with the train.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · Asking permission with can or could
“can we play with it”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Can we …? asks permission for our action. Could we …? can make the same request more politely. Could you …? would ask the listener to act.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Ask to play with a friend’s toy. Then thank your friend.
Model answer
Can we play with your train, please? Thank you. Let’s play together.
Your answer can be different.
Solo: answer yes, then practise a kind no. Tutor: How can you say no politely?
Charlotte’s Web: let’s go outside
Wilbur wants to play. The animals are less excited about the rain.
Selected extract: 0:00 to 0:24. 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. Play He introduces himself and says he wants to play.
- A. It is raining. An animal points out that it is raining.
- B. No, one says let’s not. One voice says Let’s go, and another answers Let’s not.
1–2 minGrammar in a minuteA2 · An invitation with want to
“want to play”
Clip 2, quotation excerpt
Want is followed by to + base verb. A full invitation can use Do you want to …?; Would you like to …? is another friendly form.
Speaking: use the language
Speak for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the words above. A short, clear answer is enough.
Invite a friend to do something on a rainy day.
Model answer
It’s raining. Let’s play inside. Can we play a card game?
Your answer can be different.
Solo: give a different suggestion for a sunny day. Tutor: What do you enjoy doing when it rains?
Listen, repeat and use
Listen once, then repeat. Replace a word or name to make each sentence true for you.
Can we play, please?
Ask permission.
Help me, please.
Ask for help.
Let’s go outside.
Make a suggestion.
Thank you for your help.
Thank someone.
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
- B. play After can, use the base verb play.
- A. Let’s play inside. Use Let’s + the base verb.
- C. Help me, please. Please is a polite request word.
- A. Thank you. Thank you shows that you appreciate the help.
- B. Play inside. Inside means within a building.
- C. Join us. Join us invites a person to take part.
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 permission request
“can we play with it”
Clip 1, quotation excerpt
Report a permission request with ask + person + if/whether + statement order. Could gives the past-time viewpoint.