E9 M - Use conditional structures for discussion
aiMOOCE9 M - Use conditional structures for discussion
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E9 M - Use conditional structures for discussion
Mini-description: Use conditional I and II flexibly when you discuss consequences, choices and hypothetical alternatives. You will listen, read, react, ask follow-up questions, improve your ideas and use the structures again in a new situation.
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Media start – Think and speak: Look at the picture for 20 seconds. Then complete two ideas: If I choose ..., I will ... and If I had another option, I would .... Do not translate everything. Use the picture to make meaning.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Conditional I hilft Dir bei realistischen oder möglichen Folgen. Conditional II hilft Dir bei hypothetischen, eher unwahrscheinlichen oder vorgestellten Situationen.
Einleitung
In a discussion, grammar is useful when it helps you make your point. Conditional sentences connect a condition with a consequence.
Conditional I: If we start earlier, we will have more time. Conditional II: If we had more time, we would compare more options.
Your goal is not to name grammar rules quickly. Your goal is to use the structures while you discuss, compare, negotiate and react.
Learning path: English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.
I-can goals
| I can ... | Success looks like ... |
|---|---|
| discuss likely consequences | I use conditional I in clear, connected sentences. |
| discuss hypothetical alternatives | I use conditional II to imagine another situation. |
| react spontaneously | I answer and add a reason or follow-up question. |
| compare choices | I explain what may happen and what I would prefer. |
| improve my language | I notice one problem, correct it and reuse the sentence. |
Media task: Use the speech bubbles as a discussion map. Bubble A = condition. Bubble B = consequence. Then swap roles.
What you already know
Quick check. Finish the sentences without a grammar book.
- Future consequences: If it rains tomorrow, ...
- Choices: If I have enough time, ...
- Hypothetical alternatives: If school started later, ...
Then compare with a partner. Ask: Is this likely or hypothetical?
Deutsch-Hilfe: Achte zuerst auf die Bedeutung: Ist die Situation realistisch möglich oder nur vorgestellt? Erst danach entscheidest Du über die Form.
Listening and Viewing
Video 1: Conditionals in context
Before viewing: Predict two words you expect to hear: if, will, would, choice, result.
First viewing: Listen for the main idea. Do not stop the video.
Second viewing: Write one example for a real or possible situation and one for an imaginary situation.
Respond: Tell a partner which example is easier to use in a discussion and why.
Ask: Ask one follow-up question beginning with What if ...?
Video 2: First conditional for future consequences
Watch a short section. Then use this frame:
If ..., we will ... because ... .
Make two predictions about a class decision, for example a trip, a project day or a school event.
Video 3: Second conditional for hypothetical choices
After viewing, answer in pairs:
What would you do if you had one extra free afternoon every week?
Speaker A answers. Speaker B asks for a reason. Speaker A improves the answer by adding because, however or so.
Reading
Short discussion text
Situation: A class has one afternoon for a project.
Maya: If we choose the city project, we will meet more people. Noah: That is true, but if we work outside, the weather may be a problem. Maya: If it rains, we will move some activities indoors. Noah: What would we do if we had no indoor room? Maya: If we had no room, I would choose the media project instead. Noah: That sounds reasonable. If everyone agrees, we will make a final plan today.
Read for meaning: Which ideas are realistic future consequences? Which idea is hypothetical?
Read again: Underline one phrase that shows agreement, one phrase that shows a problem and one phrase that offers an alternative.
Media task: Turn the discussion into a decision tree. At every branch, use one conditional sentence.
Context vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Use it in discussion |
|---|---|
| consequence | One consequence will be ... |
| option | Another option is ... |
| likely | It is likely that ... |
| unlikely | That seems unlikely because ... |
| alternative | If that does not work, an alternative would be ... |
| agree | I agree, but ... |
| disagree | I see your point, but ... |
| compromise | A possible compromise would be ... |
| advantage | One advantage is ... |
| drawback | A drawback could be ... |
Use again: Choose four expressions and discuss this question: Should your class organise one large event or several small activities?
Pronunciation and fluency
Focus on meaning groups, not on sounding like a native speaker.
Say the sentence in chunks:
If we leave earlier / we will have more time / to discuss the plan.
Then try:
If I were in charge / I would ask everyone / before making the decision.
Fluency loop: Say → notice one difficult part → say it again → use it in a new sentence.
Recording is optional and private. Do not upload a recording unless your teacher has clearly asked for it and you have agreed.
Functional grammar
Conditional I: possible or likely consequence
Pattern: if + present form → will + base verb
If we finish early, we will present today.
Use it when the condition is possible and you want to discuss a future result.
Important: Usually do not use will directly after if in this pattern.
Better: If we have enough time, we will vote. Not: If we will have enough time, we will vote.
Conditional II: hypothetical alternative
Pattern: if + past form → would + base verb
If we had a bigger room, we would invite more people.
Use it when you imagine a different present or future situation.
For advice or imagined roles, you can use:
If I were you, I would ask the group first.
Meaning before form
| Meaning | Useful structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| possible future consequence | conditional I | If we change the date, more students will come. |
| hypothetical alternative | conditional II | If we changed the date, more students would come. |
The two sentences look similar, but the speaker presents the situation differently. The first sounds like a real option. The second presents it more as an imagined alternative.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Die Zeitform zeigt hier nicht einfach Vergangenheit oder Zukunft. Sie hilft dabei, die Situation als eher realistisch oder eher hypothetisch darzustellen.
Speaking
Discussion ladder
Use one topic: class trip, school event, phone rules, homework plan or project day.
- Make a consequence: If we choose ..., we will ...
- React: I see your point, but ...
- Ask: What if ...?
- Imagine an alternative: If we ..., we would ...
- Negotiate: A compromise would be ...
- Decide: If we agree on this, we will ...
Aim for 60–90 seconds per pair. Then change the topic and use the structures again.
Spontaneous response cards
Partner A chooses one prompt. Partner B answers immediately.
What if the weather changes? What if half the group disagrees? What would you do if the budget were smaller? What would happen if everyone brought one idea?
Then switch roles.
Writing
Short opinion post
Write 120–160 words:
Question: Your class can choose between a sports afternoon and a creative project afternoon. Which plan would work better?
Include:
- one likely consequence with conditional I
- one hypothetical alternative with conditional II
- one advantage and one drawback
- one final recommendation
Keep your own text. If you use digital feedback or AI-supported feedback, check every suggestion before changing your text. Do not replace your whole text with an automatically generated version.
Writing frame
In my view, ... If we choose ..., we will ... One advantage is ... However, ... If we had ..., we would ... For this reason, I think ...
Mediation
Situation: A German-speaking student joins your English group. The group is discussing a project day.
German note: Die Sporthalle ist wahrscheinlich am Freitag belegt. Wenn wir draußen planen, brauchen wir eine Alternative bei Regen. Mit mehr Zeit könnten wir zwei Programme vorbereiten.
Do not translate word for word. Give the important information in natural English for the discussion.
Possible start:
The sports hall may not be available on Friday. If we plan outdoor activities, ...
Then add one hypothetical alternative.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Bei Mediation überträgst Du die wichtigen Informationen passend zur Situation. Eine vollständige Übersetzung ist nicht nötig.
Help levels
Hint 1: Start the sentence
If we ..., we will ... If we had ..., we would ...
Hint 2: Add a discussion move
I agree because ... I see your point, but ... What if ...? Another option would be ...
Hint 3: Build a stronger answer
claim → condition → consequence → reason → alternative
Example structure:
I prefer the smaller event. If we organise it in groups, we will have more time for each activity. This could work better because everyone can take part. If we had a larger budget, I would choose the big event instead.
Feedback and error analysis
Two-step feedback
First check meaning:
Is the situation possible or hypothetical?
Then check form:
Did I use present + will, or past + would?
Find and improve the problem
A: If we will leave now, we will catch the bus. Improve: If we leave now, we will catch the bus.
B: If I would have more time, I would join. Improve: If I had more time, I would join.
C: If we had better weather, we will play outside. Ask yourself: Is this hypothetical or possible? Choose one meaning and make both parts match.
Use again: After every correction, create one new sentence with the same pattern.
Transfer
Choose a new situation you have not practised before:
Your class receives €300 for one shared project.
Discuss for two minutes. You must use:
- one real consequence
- one hypothetical alternative
- one follow-up question
- one compromise
Then change one condition: The budget is only €100. Discuss again.
Can-do check
| Can-do statement | Yes | Almost | Not yet |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can use conditional I for likely consequences. | □ | □ | □ |
| I can use conditional II for hypothetical alternatives. | □ | □ | □ |
| I can react and ask follow-up questions. | □ | □ | □ |
| I can correct a conditional sentence after feedback. | □ | □ | □ |
| I can use the structures in a new discussion topic. | □ | □ | □ |
Next step: Choose one Almost or Not yet statement. Repeat one short activity from this course and check again.
Folgekurs
Continue with E9 M - Negotiate solutions and justify decisions. There you can combine conditionals with stronger argumentation, compromise language and spontaneous negotiation.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
Which sentence talks about a likely future consequence? (If we leave now, we will catch the bus.) (!If we left now, we would catch the bus.) (!If we had left now, we catch the bus.) (!If we leave now, we would caught the bus.)
Which sentence gives a hypothetical alternative? (If we had more time, we would compare both options.) (!If we have more time, we will compare both options.) (!If we had more time, we will compared both options.) (!If we would have more time, we compare both options.)
Which form usually follows if in conditional I? (Present form) (!Will form) (!Would form) (!Past perfect form)
Which form usually appears in the result clause of conditional II? (Would plus base verb) (!Will plus base verb) (!Did plus base verb) (!Has plus past participle)
Which sentence is best for asking about an imagined alternative? (What would you do if the plan failed?) (!What will you did if the plan failed?) (!What do you would if the plan fails?) (!What would you did if the plan fail?)
Which sentence is a useful discussion reaction? (I see your point, but we should check the cost.) (!I see your point, because no question.) (!I seeing your point, but cost.) (!I point your see, but we cost.)
Which sentence correctly uses conditional I? (If everyone agrees, we will make the plan today.) (!If everyone will agree, we make the plan today.) (!If everyone agreed, we will made the plan today.) (!If everyone agrees, we would made the plan today.)
Which sentence correctly uses conditional II? (If I were in charge, I would ask the group first.) (!If I will be in charge, I would ask the group first.) (!If I were in charge, I will asked the group first.) (!If I would be in charge, I ask the group first.)
What should you check first when choosing between conditional I and II? (The meaning of the situation) (!The length of the sentence) (!The number of speakers) (!The spelling of every noun)
What is a strong way to improve after feedback? (Correct the sentence and use the pattern again.) (!Delete the whole text and start with a different topic.) (!Translate every sentence word for word.) (!Avoid using conditionals again.)
Memory
| likely future | conditional I |
| imagined alternative | conditional II |
| consequence | result |
| compromise | middle solution |
| drawback | disadvantage |
| follow-up question | What if |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| possible consequence | If we start now, we will finish today. |
| hypothetical choice | If we had more money, we would book a larger room. |
| follow-up question | What would happen if the weather changed? |
| agreement with contrast | I see your point, but we should compare the costs. |
| compromise | We could choose the smaller event and add one extra activity. |
Kreuzworträtsel
| consequence | What is the result of a condition called? |
| hypothetical | Which word describes an imagined situation? |
| condition | What part of a conditional sentence often begins with if? |
| alternative | What can you offer when the first plan may not work? |
| compromise | What do two sides find when both change part of their position? |
| would | Which helper verb is central in the result clause of conditional II? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Consequence cards: Write six short conditional I cards about a class event. Exchange them and react to three cards.
- What-if chain: Start with one school-related choice. Each learner adds one new What if ...? question and one answer.
- Picture prompt: Use one Wikimedia Commons image of a choice or decision. Describe two possible consequences and one hypothetical alternative.
- Private fluency practice: Speak for 45 seconds about one choice. Recording is optional and private; improve one sentence and repeat it.
Standard
- Mini debate: Discuss whether a class should organise one large event or several small events. Use at least two conditional I and two conditional II sentences.
- Decision tree: Create a decision tree for a project plan. Label each branch with a condition and consequence.
- Opinion post: Write a 120–160 word post about a school choice. Keep your draft and mark where you improved one conditional sentence.
- Mediation task: Summarise a short German planning note for an English-speaking partner. Transfer only the relevant information and add one conditional consequence.
Schwer
- Negotiation round: In groups of three, negotiate a plan with limited time and money. React spontaneously and reach a compromise.
- Error detective: Create five realistic conditional errors, exchange them with another group and explain the correction through meaning and form.
- Video response: Watch one embedded video again, select one useful idea and create a 90-second spoken response that applies it to a new scenario.
- Transfer challenge: Compare two plans under changing conditions. Present how your decision changes when time, budget or location changes.
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Lernkontrolle
- Scenario shift: A class first has €500 and later only €150. Explain how the consequences and your preferred plan change. Use conditional I and II meaningfully.
- Meaning contrast: Explain the difference in meaning between If we change the date, more students will come and If we changed the date, more students would come. Then create your own pair.
- Discussion repair: A partner says, If we will work faster, we would finish today. Decide what meaning is intended, correct the sentence and explain your choice.
- Negotiation transfer: Two groups want different project ideas. Write or perform a short negotiation that includes a consequence, a hypothetical alternative and a compromise.
- Mediation and response: Transfer the key points from a short German planning note into English and add a suitable conditional response for the group.
- Source check: Compare a grammar explanation from one embedded learning video with your own notes. Identify one rule, test it with two examples and explain whether your examples fit.
Lernnachweis
For a successful learning record, show that you can:
- Meaning and form: distinguish a possible consequence from a hypothetical alternative and choose a suitable structure.
- Discussion: react, ask follow-up questions, compare options and negotiate a simple compromise.
- Speaking fluency: communicate clearly in connected short turns; understandable speech is more important than accent-free speech.
- Writing: produce a coherent short opinion text with reasons, consequences and an alternative.
- Mediation: transfer relevant information between German and English without translating everything word for word.
- Feedback: correct a meaningful error and reuse the improved structure.
- Responsible media use: use only suitable, lawful media and fictitious personal data in tasks.
- Responsible AI use: check facts, sources and feedback; keep and improve your own text instead of replacing it.
OERs zum Thema
Wikimedia Commons media used in this course: decision, conversation, listening, speaking and writing visuals are included as learning prompts.
Video sources: British Council LearnEnglish Teens and BBC Learning English are used for guided viewing tasks.
Verknüpfte Lernbereiche