Easy English Conversation: How to Ask for and Give Instructions

Need help asking for or giving instructions in English? This lesson is perfect for beginners! Learn how to ask for help, give step-by-step instructions, and use polite questions like “Can you show me how to use the printer?” or “How do I install the game?” We’ll also cover how to give instructions using phrases like “First, do ______,” and “Lastly, add your final touches.” Whether it’s asking “Can you help me with the scanner?” or explaining how to make mashed potatoes, with this class you’ll gain useful English language skills for everyday tasks and formal situations. More English vocabulary for real life: English Vocabulary for Renting a Car Shopping at the Supermarket TRANSCRIPT Hi, everybody. Welcome to . I’m Adam. Today’s lesson is a bit of a beginner lesson. So, not too difficult, but still good practice for everyone to listen and make sure you review some old material; maybe learn a few new words or expressions here and there. So, what we’re going to learn today is how to ask for and give instructions. For example, if you want to use something or if you want to do something, but you’re not sure how, you can ask someone to basically show you or teach you how to use it. And they’re going to give you step-by-step instructions. So, we’re gonna start with the general questions. Again, remember: Native-English speakers might find many other ways to ask, but these are the basics. These are the ones that you can use in any situation to ask for help with something. So, “How can I do“ whatever you need to do. “How can I turn on the computer?“, “How can I print something?“, “How can I use the printer?“ “How do I“. “How can I“, “How do I“ essentially means the same thing. “How can I...?“, like: “How will I be able to?“, “How do I“ or “How do you“, “How do you do this?“ Same idea. “How do I do this?“ Same idea. Means just take the action itself; that’s the necessary action. “Do you know how to work this camera?“, “Do you know how to use this pencil?“ Like, a automatic penci. “Do you know how to, basically, submit an assignment?“ Okay. “Do you know how to write an email?“ Lots of things. Whatever the action is, just use the verb, the infinitive. Now, again, in... in most English-speaking countries - like Canada, UK, Australia - people tend to be a little bit more polite in asking a question, so they’re not very direct. So, you can also create an indirect question by starting with “Can“. “Can you“, “Can I“, etcetera. “Can you help me with this?“ Like, you have a... something in front of you, you don’t know how to use it or how to work it, you can ask someone: “Can you help me with this?“ Or, if the thing you need help with is somewhere else: “Can you help me with the copier upstairs? I don’t know how to use it.“ Right? So, “Can you help me with“ whatever you need help with. Now, “Can you show me how to use this thing?“ Or: “Can you show me how to use the printer upstairs?“, “Can you show me how to do this?“ You want to do a particular action. So, use a machine for example; do an action to someone, for someone, or just generally in the office, for example. “Can you show me how to work this thing?“ Here, don’t be confused with “work“ as job. “How to work“ means how to make this thing work; how to make it operate, how to make it function. That’s what “work“ here means. So, “How do you work this?“ That’s another question you can ask. “How do you work this thing?“ means: How does it work? The same idea. This is very informal; very casual English. Or: “Can you show me how this works?“ basically, or: “how to use this?“ Depending how to... the same idea. I’m just using: “how this works“, because native-English speakers will use this verb a lot, so you should be very comfortable with it, and it has nothing to do with a job. Okay? And that’s where English becomes a little tricky. Some words have many uses; many... in many different contexts. But I digress; I’m getting off topic. So, now we have the questions. Let’s see how you might get the answer. Okay? Okay. So, now, we’re gonna learn how to give instructions. Now, if you’re giving instructions and it’s just a one-step thing - just one thing to do - then that’s very straightforward. “Just do this.“ But when you’re looking at a process - something that has a few steps - then you need to be a little bit more organized. Right? So, a process or something that... step by step. So, something that... something that requires a few steps, you want to break it down into the step-by-step process. You want to show them: “Do this, do this, do this, do that.“ But you want to make sure that the person understands the order; because if you just do things randomly, it might not work. If you do things in the order that they’re supposed to be done, you will be much more successful. […]