Agree a time, define a task and explain a change before it becomes a misunderstanding. Suggested level: A2–B1.
Allow about 25–35 minutes. Read for meaning, listen without reading, then repeat with the text. Try the activities before opening the answers.
What you will practise
- Clarify what is included in an agreement.
- Confirm a time and a deadline.
- Explain a change and offer a realistic alternative.
Listen and watch
Synthetic narration: one voice reads both roles. Teaching slides with timed captions. Pause and repeat; use the player’s speed control. This self-study pilot is not an assessed qualification.
Download audio · Download video · Captions · Full media transcript
Read: a real-life situation
Leo agrees to help his friend Aisha prepare a community event. Before he says yes, he checks his calendar. He is free on Saturday morning, but he must leave at eleven.
Leo says, ‘I can help from nine until eleven. Would you like me to arrange the chairs?’ Aisha replies, ‘Yes, please. Could you also stay to welcome visitors?’ Leo explains that he cannot stay, but he can prepare the signs before he leaves.
They agree on the chairs and signs. Aisha finds someone else to welcome visitors. On Friday, Leo learns that he will arrive at half past nine. He tells Aisha immediately and asks whether the new time will still be useful.
A clear arrangement says who will do what and when. If something changes, an early message gives the other person time to make a new plan.
Model dialogue
Leo : I can help from nine until eleven.
Aisha : Could you arrange the chairs and welcome visitors?
Leo : I can arrange the chairs, but I cannot stay to welcome visitors.
Aisha : Could you prepare the signs instead?
Leo : Yes. I can finish them before I leave.
Aisha : Great. Let’s confirm: chairs and signs, from nine until eleven.
Useful vocabulary
- an arrangement
- a plan agreed with another person
- until
- up to a particular time
- instead
- in place of another thing or action
- to confirm
- to make an agreement clear and definite
- a deadline
- the time by which something must be done
Language focus
Use from…until… for a time period: from nine until eleven. Use before for an earlier time: before I leave. By introduces a latest completion time: Please finish by eleven. Can and cannot describe what you are able to offer here. Instead introduces an alternative. Let’s + base verb proposes a shared action: Let’s confirm the plan.
Pronunciation practice
Compare NINE and ELEVEN in ‘from nine until eleven’. Practise ‘I CAN arrange the chairs, but I CAN’T stay.’ The audio uses cannot in the dialogue to keep the contrast clear. Listen to half past nine, pause, then repeat the whole phrase.
Check your understanding
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When must Leo leave?
Show answer
At eleven.
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Which two tasks do Leo and Aisha agree on?
Show answer
Arranging the chairs and preparing the signs.
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Who will welcome visitors?
Show answer
Someone else; Leo cannot stay for that task.
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What does Leo do when his arrival time changes?
Show answer
He tells Aisha immediately and asks whether the new time is still useful.
Complete the phrases
-
I can help ___ nine until eleven.
Show answer
from
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Could you prepare the signs ___ ?
Show answer
instead
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Please finish ___ eleven.
Show answer
by
Speak
Plan a small event with a partner. Each person has a different time limit. Agree two tasks and say who will do each one. Then introduce a change: one person will arrive thirty minutes late. Explain the change and revise the plan. Alone? Speak both sides of the conversation.
Write
Write a 50–70 word confirmation message. Include the day, the time period, the tasks you accept and a task you cannot do. Finish with a clear question or request for confirmation.
Read a model answer
Hello Aisha. I can help on Saturday from nine until eleven. I will arrange the chairs and prepare the signs before I leave. I cannot stay to welcome visitors, so please ask someone else to do that. Please send me the room plan by Friday evening. Could you confirm that these arrangements still work for you? Thank you.
Go further
Compare ‘I will finish before eleven’ and ‘I will finish by eleven’. What is the small difference in meaning?
Reflect on your learning
Can you complete the three aims without reading the model? Choose one expression for a new situation. The suggested level is guidance, not a formal assessment.
Adapted from the original JustLearn (JL) article: a promise should fit your capacity.
Prepared with AI assistance and synthetic narration. No individual teacher review or voice impersonation is implied.