Lesson 18: Requests/Permission + In the Café

WARM UP

Think about a café.

• What do you usually order in a café?
• Do you drink coffee or tea?
• What objects can you see on a café table?
• Do you use a spoon or a fork more often?
• Can you ask for things in English in a café?

Answer in full sentences.

VOCABULARY – IN A CAFÉ

Café objects

• bottle – botella
Example: This is a bottle of water.

• bowl – cuenco
Example: I have a bowl of soup.

• cup – taza
Example: This is a cup of coffee.

• fork – tenedor
Example: I use a fork to eat cake.

• glass – vaso
Example: This is a glass of juice.

• knife – cuchillo
Example: I use a knife to cut food.

• pepper – pimienta
Example: I add pepper to my food.

• plate – plato
Example: The food is on the plate.

• salt – sal
Example: Can I have some salt?

• spoon – cuchara
Example: I use a spoon for soup.

• sugar – azúcar
Example: I put sugar in my coffee.

Say each word out loud.
Point to real objects if possible.

GRAMMAR – CAN (REQUESTS & PERMISSION)

We use can to ask for things and to ask for permission.

• Use Can I…? to ask for something
• Use Can I…? to ask for permission

Examples

• Can I have a cup of coffee?
• Can I have a glass of water?
• Can I use this spoon?
• Can I take this plate?

• Can I sit here?
• Can I open this bottle?
• Can I have some sugar?
• Can I have some salt?

DIALOGUE – IN A CAFÉ

Waiter: Hello. Can I help you?
Customer: Yes, can I have a cup of coffee, please?

Waiter: Of course. Anything else?
Customer: Yes, can I have a glass of water?

Waiter: Sure.
Customer: Can I have some sugar, please?

Waiter: Yes, here you are.
Customer: Thank you.

Read again and practise with a partner.

SHORT ARTICLE

I am in a café. I have a cup of coffee and a plate with food. There is a spoon and a fork on the table. I also have a glass of water. I ask, “Can I have some sugar?” and “Can I have some salt?” The waiter brings everything. I feel relaxed.

Read the article twice. Focus on can questions.

LANGUAGE SUPPORT

Asking for things

• Can I have a cup of coffee?
• Can I have a glass of water?
• Can I have some sugar?

Asking for permission

• Can I sit here?
• Can I use this spoon?
• Can I open this bottle?

Full sentence model

• Can I have a cup of coffee and some sugar, please?

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

Answer in full sentences.

• What do you order in a café? Can you say it in English?
• Can you ask for a cup of coffee in English?
• Can you ask for a glass of water?
• Do you use a fork or a spoon more often?
• Can you ask for some sugar?
• Can you ask for some salt?
• Can you use a knife and a fork correctly?
• Can you ask, “Can I sit here?”
• What is on your table now? Can you name it?
• Do you feel confident asking for things in English? Why?

HOMEWORK (WRITE & RECORD)

Writing

Write 6 sentences:

• 3 sentences with Can I have…
• 3 sentences with Can I… (permission)

Recording

Read your sentences aloud clearly.
Imagine you are in a café.
Practise asking naturally and politely.