Step 3: Reach out

• Engels
• Secundair onderwijs

Step 3: Reach out

Giving advice

Ex. 1

 Read the text about how to have an ‘R U OK’ conversation.

Choose the correct answer for each question.

a When asking someone if they are ok, …

1. try to mention specific things that have made you concerned about them to start the conversation.
2. talk to them as soon as you can, even if they aren’t up for it.
3. you should always give them your honest opinion, no matter how painful it might be.
4. you shouldn’t wait for them to be ready to speak.

b If you are listening to someone, …

1. interrupt the conversation because you don’t agree with what they are saying.
2. you can’t take everything they say seriously.
3. you might sit quietly with them for a while if they need time to think.
4. you must repeat everything they say and offer your own story on the topic.

c When you are encouraging action, …

1. you could suggest they speak to a professional.
2. you may tell them about your own horrible experiences with your psychologist.
3. you mustn’t offer them tips on how you overcame a similar situation.
4. you have to wait a minimum of 2 weeks before doing anything.

d After having the conversation, …

1. just be there for them even if they don’t take any action.
2. you have to wait for them to contact you again.
3. you must stop talking to them if they don’t follow your suggestions.
4. you should always wait a few weeks before contacting them again.

Ex. 2

Check the text in exercise 1 and rewrite the tips by completing the sentences below.

Then complete the rules.

criticize them

criticize them

interrupt

criticize them

interrupt

a confrontation

criticize them

interrupt

a confrontation

they say seriously

rush

rush

you've listened

ask what they have done in the past

ask what they have done in the past

how they would like you

ask what they have done in the past

how they would like you

encourage

see a health professional

ask what they have done in the past

how they would like you

encourage

see a health professional

contact a professional

yourself

Modal verbs

can - can't

could

might

may

must - mustn't

have to

should - shouldn't

--> they express obligation, advice, prohibition and possibility

Let's check.

Close your workbooks and answer the next couple of questions on the slides.

Prohibition

Obligation

Advice

Possibility

verbod

mogelijkheid

advies

verplichting

Things you 'can't' or 'mustn't' do, are called...

1. Prohibitions
2. Possibilities
3. Pieces of advice
4. Obligations

Things you 'must' or 'have to' do, are called...

1. Prohibitions
2. Obligations
3. Pieces of advice
4. Possibilities

Things you 'should' or 'shouldn't' do are more ...

1. Possibilities
2. Obligations
3. Prohibitions
4. Pieces of advice

'Can', 'could', 'might' and 'may' express a(n) ... but can sometimes
also be used to give advice.

1. obligation
2. possibility
3. advice
4. prohibition

Ex. 3

Let’s explore how you can express obligation and prohibition.

Use the modal verbs below to complete the table.

can’t – has to – must – mustn’t – should – shouldn’t

can't

has to

must

mustn't

should

shouldn't

can

could/might

may

can

Ex. 5

Let’s explore what these modal verbs are all about. Check the

sentences in exercises 2 to 4 and complete the grammar box below.

--> quiz

Which of these sentences is correct?

1. You mights like this idea.
2. They must leave immediately.
3. He shoulds go to bed earlier.
4. She musts arrive on time every day.

a) You mights like this idea.

b) They must leave immediately.

c)  He shoulds go to bed earlier.

d) She musts arrive on time every day.

🔍What do you notice about the endings in a), c), and d)?

What makes option b) different?

Modal verbs never take an –s ending.

Which of these sentences is correct?

1. Does she can stay longer?
2. Can she stay longer?
3. Did she could stay longer?
4. Do she might stay longer?

a) Does she can stay longer?

b) Can she stay longer?

c) Did she could stay longer?

d) Do she might stay longer?

🔍What happens to word order in a question with a modal verb? Do modal verbs use an auxiliary verb?

Modal verbs do not need do/does/did to form a question — just inversion of subject and modal is enough.

Which of these sentences is correct?

1. You should to speak with someone about your worries.
2. He might to enjoy the conversation.
3. They could speak to the school counselor.
4. She can to help you feel more at ease.

a) You should to speak with someone about your worries.

b) He might to enjoy the conversation.

c) They could speak to the school counselor.

d) She can to help you feel more at ease.

🔍Which form of the verb do we use after a modal verb?

Modal verbs are always followed by the base form of the verb, without "to".

(exception = 'have to'; that's why we call this verb a "semi-modal")

Practice

Ex. 6-7 p. 305-306  / ODT ex. 2-3 p. 331-332

Prepare these exercises in your workbooks.

Work in your team.

Check answers in the correction keys afterwards.

Ex. 8

You have a younger sibling who is starting secondary school next week.

Give them some advice using the imperative (2 positives and 2 negatives)

Ex. 9

What could you do? Read the situation and write down what you might try.

1 One of your friends starts acting differently all of a sudden.

I can ...

2 You are invited to a party with some of your classmates, but your best friend is the only one in your friend group who hasn’t been invited.

I could ...

3 One of your friends texts you that her boyfriend has broken up with her.

I may ...

4 One of your friends tells you that his parents have been fighting all the time.

I might...