May I...? Asking for Permission in Class

About This Resource

A free Grade 1 ESL worksheet pack on asking for permission in the classroom: Can I... and May I... questions for going to the bathroom, getting a drink, borrowing a pencil and sharpening a pencil, polite answers (Yes, you can. / Not now, please wait.), using please and thank you, and role-playing classroom situations. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

Students learn the classroom English they need every day to ask for permission politely. They practise the questions Can I go to the bathroom, please?, May I have a drink of water, please?, Can I borrow a pencil, please? and May I sharpen my pencil, please?, and the answers Yes, you can. and Not now, please wait. They match pictures to requests, put the words of a question in order, choose the polite way to ask, read a short classroom dialogue and act out situations with a partner.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Asking for Permission
Category: Classroom English
File Type: PDF
File Size: 280.7 KB
Published: 04 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 1 (ages 6–7), beginner ESL 40 minutes Speaking listening classroom English reading short sentences word order

Student Task

Model the questions with picture cards: point to the bathroom card and ask, "Can I go to the bathroom, please?"
Drill each question with actions, then do activities 1 and 2 together.
Students complete activities 3 to 6 and role-play with a partner. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Permission poster: put the four questions with pictures on the classroom wall so students can point and ask all year.
Teacher says yes or no: students ask a question; the teacher holds up a green or red card and answers Yes, you can or Not now.
Role-play cards: pairs pick a card (I need a pencil, I am thirsty) and act out the question and answer.

Differentiation

Support: give the question frames on a card (Can I ___, please?) with pictures, and let students point and say the key word. Challenge: ask students to make new questions (May I open the window, please? Can I help you?) and to answer with a reason (Not now, it's story time).

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check understanding of the questions, polite words and word order (answer key included). Use the role-play in activity 6 to check speaking.

Learning Objectives

Ask for permission using Can I...? and May I...? with please.
Understand and give simple answers: Yes, you can. / Not now, please wait.
Use polite words (please, thank you) in classroom situations.

Teacher Tips

Make this classroom English a daily habit: only say yes when students ask with the full question and please. Within a week, most students will ask politely without a reminder.

What's Included

6-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)

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