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E8 G - Advice and possible consequences

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E8 G - Advice and possible consequences

Mini-description: Give simple advice and describe possible consequences of different decisions. You work with everyday situations, clear reasons and short connected texts.

Level: English as a first foreign language, Grade 8, G level, Baden-Württemberg.

Learning route: English first → understand the context → try it yourself → ask → use a hint → use short German help only if you still need it.

Important: You do not need perfect pronunciation. Your message should be clear. All learner profiles in this course are fictional. Do not use private social-media data. Recordings are voluntary and stay private unless you choose to share them. Do not upload personal work without permission. If you use AI for help, check the language, facts and feedback yourself. AI should not replace your own text.

Media start: A choice at a crossroads

Look at the picture. Imagine it means: You have two choices.

Say one choice you often make after school.
Say one possible consequence.
Use: If I ..., I will/may/can ...

Example: If I do my homework first, I can relax later.

I can ...

At the end, you can say:

I can give advice with should and shouldn't.
I can give a reason with because.
I can describe a possible consequence with if.
I can understand short advice in a video or text.
I can react to another person's problem.
I can write a short message or e-mail with advice and consequences.
I can check whether my language is clear and useful.

What you already know

You already know many useful words and structures:

Problems: tired, late, worried, angry, stressed, homework, test, friend, phone, bike, club

Opinions: I think ..., I agree ..., I don't agree ..., because ...

Future: I will ..., I can ..., maybe ...

Quick try:

Complete these ideas orally.

You look tired. You should ...
I have a test tomorrow. I shouldn't ...
If I go to bed early, ...
I think this is a good idea because ...

Hint: Start with short sentences. Then connect two ideas.

Deutsch-Hilfe: should = ein Rat; if = eine Bedingung oder Situation, aus der eine mögliche Folge entsteht.

Context: Four choices after school

Meet four fictional learners.

Maya, 14: She has homework, but her friends want to meet now.

Leo, 14: A friend is upset after a difficult day.

Nia, 13: She wants to cycle to training, but she cannot find her helmet.

Sam, 14: He has a test tomorrow and wants to play online for three hours.

Your task: Give useful advice. Then explain one possible consequence.

Model: Sam should study for 30 minutes first because the test is tomorrow. If he starts now, he will have time to play later.

Media task: Look at the study picture for 20 seconds. Name three things you see. Then give one piece of advice to the learner.

Listening and Viewing 1: Advice

Watch this video from British Council | LearnEnglish Teens.

First viewing – no transcript yet

Listen for the main idea.

Is the speaker giving advice, telling a story or explaining a game?
Write down two words you understand.
Listen for should, shouldn't or mustn't.

Second viewing

Pause after one tip.

What is the advice?
What could happen if a visitor does not follow it?
Say one similar tip for your town or school.

Hint 1: Listen for key words, not every word.

Hint 2: Pictures and gestures can help.

German help if needed: Konzentriere Dich zuerst nur auf Ratschläge und Folgen. Erst nach dem Hörversuch darfst Du Untertitel oder ein Transkript nutzen.

Listening and Viewing 2: Possible consequences

Watch the BBC Learning English explanation of the first conditional.

Before watching: Predict the rule.

If + present, ...

While watching: Listen for one example.

After watching: Make one sentence about school.

Model: If I forget my sports kit, I will have a problem in PE.

G-level focus: You need the simple pattern for real or possible future situations. You do not need advanced conditional forms here.

Reading: Three small problems

Read the text once without a dictionary.

Maya's choice

Maya gets home at 4 p.m. Her friends ask her to come to the park. She wants to go, but she also has English homework. Her friend Kim says, “You should do the short task first. Then you can meet us.” Maya thinks this is fair. If she starts now, she will probably finish in 25 minutes.

Leo's choice

Leo gets a message from a friend who is upset. Leo does not know what to say. He wants to help. His sister says, “You should listen first. Don't make fun of the problem.” Leo decides to answer calmly. If his friend still feels bad, Leo can suggest talking to a trusted adult.

Nia's choice

Nia wants to cycle to training. She cannot find her helmet. Her bus leaves in ten minutes. She could take the bus instead. If she waits for the next bus, she may arrive late, but she can travel safely.

Reading check

Who wants to meet friends?
Who should listen first?
Who has a transport problem?
Find one sentence with should.
Find one sentence with if.

Ask before help: Compare your answers with a partner.

Hint: Look for names and key verbs.

German help if needed: Suche nicht jedes Wort. Finde zuerst Person, Problem, Rat und mögliche Folge.

Context vocabulary

English	Simple meaning	Example
advice	an idea that can help	My advice is: start early.
choice	one option you can take	You have two choices.
consequence	what may happen after a choice	One consequence is being late.
worried	not calm because of a problem	He is worried about the test.
safe	not in danger	The bus is a safe choice.
trust	believe that someone is honest and helpful	Talk to an adult you trust.
decide	choose what to do	She decides to take the bus.
instead	as another choice	Take the bus instead.

Mini-task: Choose three words from the table. Use them in one short situation.

Pronunciation: Clear advice

Focus on understandable speech.

should is one short word.

shouldn't needs a clear ending so that your listener hears the negative meaning.

Practise these chunks slowly, then normally:

You should wait.
You shouldn't rush.
If you wait, you may feel calmer.
I think you should ask because you need help.

Speaking rhythm: Stress the important words: should, shouldn't, the action and the consequence.

Goal: Be easy to understand. You do not need to copy one special accent.

Speaking: Advice desk

Work with a partner. One learner has a problem. One learner gives advice.

Problem A: “I always start my homework very late.”

Problem B: “My friend is angry with me.”

Problem C: “I want to buy something expensive, but I do not have enough money.”

Problem D: “I have training soon, but I feel very tired.”

Use this simple structure:

1. React: I understand. / That sounds difficult.

2. Give advice: You should ... / You shouldn't ...

3. Give a reason: ... because ...

4. Give a consequence: If you ..., you will/may/can ...

5. Ask: What do you think?

Less help: Try without the structure.

More help: Use only steps 2 and 4.

German help if needed: Rat + Grund + mögliche Folge reichen für eine gute G-Niveau-Antwort.

Functional grammar

Giving advice with should and shouldn't

Use:

You should + base verb.

You should talk to your friend.

You shouldn't + base verb.

You shouldn't send an angry message.

Do not add to after should.

Correct: You should wait.

Not correct: You should to wait.

Possible consequences with if

For a real or possible future situation, use:

If + present, will/may/can + base verb.

If you study now, you will feel better later.

If you ask for help, you may find a solution.

If you take the bus, you can arrive safely.

Important: Do not use will directly after if in this basic pattern.

Correct: If you leave now, you will be on time.

Not correct: If you will leave now, you will be on time.

Giving a reason

Use because.

You should take a break because you are tired.

One good connected answer is:

I think you should take a break because you are tired. If you rest for ten minutes, you may work better after that.

Language you mainly need to understand

At G level, some forms can appear in texts, but you do not have to force them into your own speaking or writing.

Passive – understand the meaning:

“The bike was checked before the trip.”

Focus on: someone checked the bike.

Past perfect – understand the order:

“Maya had finished her homework before she went out.”

Focus on: homework first, going out second.

Reported speech without backshift:

Kim says, “You need a break.”

Kim says that Maya needs a break.

You may use this simple reporting pattern when it helps. You do not need advanced backshift rules here.

Media practice: A safety decision

Imagine this fictional situation:

Nia cannot find her usual helmet. She has three different helmets at home.

Give one piece of advice.
Add a reason.
Add one possible consequence.

Example frame: Nia should ... because ... If she ..., she can ...

Transfer: Now change the situation. Nia has no safe helmet available. What could she do instead?

Media practice: Phone choices

Look at the picture. Do not invent personal information about the people.

Talk only about the situation you can see.

What are the people doing?
Give one piece of general advice for a group of friends.
Give one possible consequence.

Model: Friends shouldn't look at their phones all the time because they may miss the conversation.

For an extra challenge, watch this two-speaker clip. It is harder than the core tasks, so you only need the main idea.

Viewing goal: Find one advantage and one disadvantage of mobile phones.

No private-data task: Do not show your own messages, contacts, accounts or profiles.

Writing: A short advice e-mail

Write 80–120 words.

Situation: Your fictional classmate Alex is stressed. Alex has homework, a test and football training on the same day.

Your e-mail should include:

a friendly opening
two pieces of advice
at least one reason with because
one possible consequence with if
a short ending

Writing frame:

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your message. I think you should ...

You shouldn't ... because ...

If you ..., you will/may/can ...

I hope this helps.

Best wishes, ...

Less help: Write without the frame.

More help: Write 60–80 words and use the frame.

Check before you finish: Did you write your own ideas? Did you check AI suggestions instead of copying them?

Mediation: Help an English-speaking guest

A German school notice says:

„Die Sporthalle schließt heute um 18 Uhr. Der Bus fährt um 18:15 Uhr. Wer später abgeholt wird, wartet bitte im Schulgebäude. Bei Problemen wendet Euch an eine Lehrkraft.“

Your English-speaking guest asks: “What should I do after training?”

Give the important information in simple English. Do not translate every word.

Possible start: The sports hall closes at 6 p.m. You should ...

Goal: Select useful information and give clear advice.

Direct feedback

After a speaking or writing task, use this quick feedback.

Check	Yes	Not yet
I gave clear advice.	□	□
I used should or shouldn't correctly.	□	□
I gave a reason.	□	□
I described a possible consequence.	□	□
My message was easy to understand.	□	□

Feedback sentence: One thing that works well is ... One thing to improve is ...

Error analysis

Find the problem and correct it.

You should to call your friend.
If you will wait, you will feel calmer.
You shouldn't to send the message now.
If he studies, he will feels better.
I think you should rest because you are tired, if you rest you may work better.

Hints:

After should, use the base verb.
In the basic first conditional, use present after if.
After will, use the base verb.
Long ideas are clearer as two sentences.

Self-check after trying:

You should call your friend.
If you wait, you will feel calmer.
You shouldn't send the message now.
If he studies, he will feel better.
I think you should rest because you are tired. If you rest, you may work better.

Transfer: Make a decision

Choose one topic:

school – friends – free time – money – sport – travel

Create a mini decision card:

Problem: ...

Choice A: ...

Choice B: ...

My advice: You should ...

Reason: ... because ...

Possible consequence: If you ..., you may/will/can ...

Then explain your card to another learner.

Can-do check

Choose one answer for each point: yes – almost – not yet.

I can understand simple advice.
I can use should and shouldn't.
I can add a reason with because.
I can use if for a possible future consequence.
I can give connected advice in three or four sentences.
I can understand simple passive or past-perfect forms when context helps me.
I can report a simple statement with says that.
I can check whether my language is clear.

Next step: If you answered not yet, go back to the model sentence and try one new example.

Follow-up course

Continue with E8 G - Opinions and reasons or a course on first conditional sentences.

Useful next language:

I agree because ...

I disagree because ...

One advantage is ...

One possible problem is ...

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which sentence gives advice? (You should talk to a friend.) (!You talked to a friend yesterday.) (!You are talking to a friend now.) (!You have two friends.)

Which sentence is correct? (You shouldn't send an angry message.) (!You shouldn't to send an angry message.) (!You shouldn't sending an angry message.) (!You shouldn't sent an angry message.)

Which sentence gives a reason? (You should rest because you are tired.) (!You should rest if you are tired tomorrow.) (!You should rest at six o'clock.) (!You should rest with your friend.)

Which sentence describes a possible future consequence? (If you leave now, you will be on time.) (!If you will leave now, you will be on time.) (!If you left now yesterday, you are on time.) (!If you leave now, you were on time.)

What comes after should? (the base form of the verb) (!the verb with to) (!the past form) (!the verb with ing)

Which advice is useful for a tired learner? (You should take a short break.) (!You should stay awake all night.) (!You shouldn't drink water.) (!You shouldn't rest at all.)

Which sentence uses may for a possible consequence? (If you ask for help, you may find a solution.) (!If you may ask for help, you find a solution.) (!You may because ask for help.) (!You should may find a solution.)

Which sentence is the clearest connected answer? (You should start now because the task is short. If you start now, you can finish early.) (!You should start now task short maybe finish.) (!Because task short you should to start now.) (!If you will start now because you can finish.)

At G level, what should you mainly do with difficult passive forms in this unit? (Understand their meaning from context.) (!Use them in every speaking answer.) (!Change every sentence into passive.) (!Memorise long passive rules.)

What is a good rule for pronunciation in this course? (Be clear and understandable.) (!Copy one perfect accent.) (!Speak as fast as possible.) (!Avoid speaking if you make mistakes.)

Memory

Advice	a helpful suggestion
Consequence	what may happen after a choice
Should	a good idea
Shouldn't	not a good idea
Because	gives a reason
Decision	a choice you make

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
Give advice	You should ask for help.
Avoid an action	You shouldn't send the message now.
Give a reason	because you are tired
Show a condition	If you start now
Show a consequence	you may finish early

...

Kreuzworträtsel

Advice	What do you call a helpful suggestion?
Consequence	What may happen after a decision?
Choice	What word means one option you can take?
Because	Which word introduces a reason?
Should	Which modal verb is often used for advice?
Helmet	What can protect your head when cycling?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Advice card: Create a card with one fictional problem, one sentence with should and one possible consequence.
Vocabulary picture: Choose one media image from the course and label five useful English words.
Two-sentence speaking: Record yourself privately giving one piece of advice and one consequence. Recording is optional; you can speak live instead.
If sentence: Write five simple if sentences about school or free time.

Standard

Advice e-mail: Write an 80–120 word e-mail to a fictional learner with two pieces of advice, reasons and one possible consequence.
Advice desk: Create and perform a two-person dialogue with a problem, advice, a reason and a follow-up question.
Phone choices: Use the phone image from the course and create three general tips without using private accounts or messages.
School information: Find a short school notice in German and explain only the important points in simple English to a fictional exchange student.

Schwer

Decision map: Compare two choices in a fictional situation and explain consequences for each choice.
Language detective: Write five typical errors with should or if, then correct and explain them.
Viewing response: Watch one course video again and create a short English summary with three useful tips.
Mini advice podcast: Plan a 60–90 second private audio with advice for a fictional school problem. Use your own ideas; do not upload it without permission.

Lernkontrolle

Problem solving: A fictional learner has homework, training and a family event on the same evening. Give two pieces of advice and explain the possible consequence of each.
New situation: Your friend wants to spend all their money on one item. Explain two choices without telling them what they must do.
Helpful response: Rewrite an unhelpful answer such as “That's stupid” into a respectful response with advice, a reason and a question.
Grammar in context: Correct three sentences with errors in should and first conditional structures. Explain why your changes make the meaning clearer.
Information transfer: Read a short German school rule and explain the important advice in simple English without translating every sentence.
Decision reflection: Describe a fictional decision, its possible positive and negative consequences, and which advice would help the person decide.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, show that you can:

understand the main idea in short advice texts and videos
identify a problem, advice, reason and consequence
use should and shouldn't with the base verb
use because to connect a reason
use a simple first conditional for a possible future consequence
give a connected spoken answer with several short sentences
write a short advice e-mail with a clear structure
mediate important information instead of translating every word
understand simple passive and past-perfect forms from context when they appear
use simple reported speech with says that without advanced backshift
check your own text, including suggestions from AI tools
protect privacy and use only fictional or non-private data in tasks

OERs zum Thema

Wikipedia background on modal verbs:

Further free learning resources:

British Council LearnEnglish Teens – A1–A2 Grammar

BBC Learning English on YouTube

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E8 G - Advice and possible consequences

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