Analysis: There are many ways of fulfilling this function, from simple to much more advanced (You are requested to + verb, It is obligatory to + verb) but focusing on these structures is enough for pre-intermediate learners. Be careful with “don’t have to” if it comes up as it does not mean the same as “must not”… When teaching a function, focus on the use of the language rather than its structure, and to get them practising using it in context.
Lead in
Use mime, visuals etc to explain / elicit a place/places where following rules might be important e.g. schools, airports, dinner party, shared flat, workplace, swimming pools…
Using a cross/tick or a red circle “banned” sign give some things you can/can’t do in these places. Don’t use the target language yet.
Presentation
Use the ideas to elicit the target language by asking for phrases to express the advice.
Model and drill each structure as it arises, and then write it on the board. You may be given quite a variety of phrases other than your target language ,so just ask for other ones and write up only your target language, you may need to tell them or give them hints.
Controlled practice
Hand out (or display) a matching exercise. Do one or two with the whole class, then get learners to work individually, matching the rules and the place/ the positive/negatives structures with the item (ie. you must not or must smoke)
Free practice
Give students places/situations. You may want to keep the same theme as the place in the lead-in running through the lesson, but only if it’s practical to do so. In pairs Ss make some rules, keeping their place secret from the other pairs. The, pairs read out a rule, and other groups guess where it is.
Feedback.
You could make the free practice part a bit more fun by giving points for correct guesses. Also, for very confident classes students could name the place and then mime their rule instead of reading it out. Other students would have to shout the correct rule. If extra time Ss could make posters to display their rules.
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