🌍 Learn English Express Slide 1 / 11 E3 ESOL | Conditional Clauses
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What Would You Do?

Conditional Clauses – Type 1 & Type 2  |  E3 ESOL

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If it rains…

☀️

…we'll stay inside.

🌴

If I had a million pounds…

✈️

…I'd travel the world.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the difference between real and hypothetical situations
  • Use Type 1 conditionals for real, likely possibilities
  • Use Type 2 conditionals for imaginary or unlikely situations
  • Complete a story using the correct verb forms

🎯 Type 1

"If it rains, I will take an umbrella."

💭 Type 2

"If I won the lottery, I would buy a house."
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Warm-Up & Context

Watch a short video to get started

Before you read – watch & discuss

Watch this short BBC Learning English clip about conditionals. It uses everyday situations to show how we use "if" sentences.

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BBC Learning English – "Conditionals" (6 Minute Grammar) youtube.com/watch?v=rcmPkBsLJ7I  |  ~6 minutes
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English with Lucy – First & Second Conditional Explained youtube.com/watch?v=TiAGn7RtFf8  |  ~8 minutes

💬 Discussion questions (pair work)

  • If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
  • What will you do if the weather is good this weekend?
  • If you had more free time, what would you do?
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Reading: "A Letter from Amara"

Read this email and find the conditional sentences

📧 An email from a friend living abroad

Hi Sofia,

How are you? I hope everything is going well. I've been thinking about the future a lot lately, and I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you.

I have a job interview next week. If the interview goes well, I will get the job and will move to a new flat. It would be so exciting! The company also has an office in London, so if they offer me a transfer, I will definitely consider it.

But sometimes I dream about a different life. If I were rich, I would travel around the world for a year. I'd visit Japan, Brazil and South Africa! If I didn't have so many responsibilities, life would be much simpler.

Of course, in real life I just have to keep working hard. If you come to visit this summer, we will go to the coast together. That would be lovely!

Write back soon!

Amara 💌

🟢 Highlighted in green = ?

Real, possible situations → Type 1

🟠 Highlighted in orange = ?

Imaginary / unlikely situations → Type 2

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Comprehension Check

Answer these questions about Amara's email

Reading Questions – discuss with a partner

  1. What is Amara doing next week?
  2. What will happen if the interview goes well?
  3. Where would Amara travel if she were rich? Name two places.
  4. What will Sofia and Amara do if Sofia visits in summer?
  5. How does Amara feel about her life right now?

Spot the grammar!

Go back to the email. Underline all the words will / would / were / didn't that you can find. Which sentences describe real plans? Which are just dreams?

Real plans ✅

Find 3 sentences with will

Dreams 💭

Find 2 sentences with would / were

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Meaning: What's the Difference?

Type 1 = real possibility  |  Type 2 = imaginary

Type 1 – First Conditional Type 2 – Second Conditional
Meaning A real & possible situation in the future An imaginary / unlikely situation
Feeling "This could really happen!" "This is just a dream…"
Time Future / present real situations Present or future (but not real)
Example If it rains, I will take my umbrella. If I were a bird, I would fly to Spain.
From email "If the interview goes well, I will get the job." "If I were rich, I would travel the world."
☁️🌧️

Type 1
"If it rains…"

↔️

vs

🌴✈️

Type 2
"If I were rich…"

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Form: How Do We Build Them?

Learn the grammar structure step by step

Type 1 – First Conditional

If + subject + present simple ,   subject + will + infinitive
✅ "If she studies hard, she will pass the exam."
✅ "If you are late, the teacher will notice."
  • The IF clause uses present simple (not future!)
  • The result clause uses will + infinitive
  • You can swap the clauses: "She will pass if she studies hard."
  • Other modals: might, can, should (e.g. "you might need to…")

⚠️ Common mistake

❌ "If she will study, she will pass." → WRONG
✅ "If she studies, she will pass." → CORRECT

Type 2 – Second Conditional

If + subject + past simple ,   subject + would + infinitive
✅ "If I lived in Paris, I would speak French every day."
✅ "If he had more time, he would learn guitar."
  • The IF clause uses past simple
  • The result clause uses would + infinitive
  • For the verb to be, we use "were" for all subjects: "If I were…", "If she were…"
  • Could / might can replace would: "If I had time, I could help."

⚠️ Common mistake

❌ "If I would have more money…" → WRONG
✅ "If I had more money, I would…" → CORRECT

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Listening for Grammar

A song to help you feel the conditional

🎶 If I Had a Million Dollars — Barenaked Ladies

This classic song is packed with Type 2 conditionals. Listen out for every time you hear "If I had…" and what the singer says he would do.


▶️  Open on YouTube

🎧 Listening task – while you listen:

  1. Count how many times you hear the phrase "If I had…"
  2. Write down 3 things the singer says he would buy or do
  3. Are these real plans or just dreams? How do you know?

🎶 If I Were a Boy — Beyoncé  ✨ Bonus

Another famous song full of Type 2 conditionals. Great for noticing the use of "were" instead of "was" in formal grammar.


▶️  Open on YouTube

💡 Tip for learners: songs are one of the best ways to remember grammar patterns. The tune helps your brain store the structure!

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Cloze Activity: "The Job Decision"

Complete the story with the correct verb form

📝 Type the correct form of the verb in brackets. Press Check Answers when you finish.

Maria is nervous. She has an important interview tomorrow. She thinks: "If the interview (go) well, I (get) the job!"

She imagines her new life: "If I (get) this job, I (earn) a much better salary."

Her friend Leila calls. "Don't worry! If you (prepare) well tonight, you (feel) much more confident tomorrow."

Later, Maria dreams: "If I (be) the manager, I (change) so many things."

The next morning she feels ready. "If I (not get) this job, I (apply) for another one. I won't give up!"

0 / 10

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Grammar Quiz

Choose the correct answer for each sentence

1. "If it _______ tomorrow, we'll cancel the picnic."

2. "If I _______ more money, I would travel every year."

3. "If she works hard, she _______ pass her exams."

4. "If I _______ you, I would apologise immediately."

5. This sentence is a Type ___: "If it is sunny, we will go to the beach."

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Speaking Practice

Talk to a partner using conditionals

Activity 1 – Finish the sentence!

Take turns. One person says the IF clause, the other finishes it.

🟢 Type 1 – Real Situations

  • "If it's sunny this weekend…"
  • "If I finish work early today…"
  • "If I study hard this week…"
  • "If there's a sale at the shops…"

🔴 Type 2 – Imaginary Situations

  • "If I could fly…"
  • "If I didn't have to work…"
  • "If I were the Prime Minister…"
  • "If I had a superpower…"

Activity 2 – My dream life 💭

Tell your partner: "If I had more money / time / freedom, I would..."

Use at least 3 sentences. Your partner listens and asks a follow-up question.

Activity 3 – Give advice! 🤝

Use Type 1 to give real advice to these people:

  • "My English is not very good."
  • "I want to get fit."
  • "I'm always late for work."

e.g. "If you practise every day, your English will improve quickly!"

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Teacher Lesson Plan

E3 ESOL  |  90-minute lesson  |  Conditional Clauses Type 1 & 2

0–10Warmer: Discussion questions (pairs) + Slide 1 visual prompt🖥️ Slide 1–2
10–20Video: BBC clip / English with Lucy – discuss + elicit examples🎬 Slide 2
20–30Reading: Amara's email – read & highlight Type 1 / Type 2📖 Slide 3 + H/O
30–38Comprehension: Pair discussion questions + grammar spot task❓ Slide 4
38–50Meaning: Concept check table – CCQs. "Is this real?" / "Could this happen?"💡 Slide 5
50–62Form: Tab presentation – formula, examples, common errors🔧 Slide 6
62–72Song: "If I Had a Million Dollars" – listening task🎵 Slide 7
72–82Cloze: "The Job Decision" – individual → peer check✏️ Slide 8 + H/O
82–87Quiz: 5-question grammar check🧩 Slide 9 + H/O
87–95Speaking: Pair activities – sentence completion + dream life discussion🗣️ Slide 10

Handouts provided: Reading text · Cloze exercise · Grammar reference card · Quiz sheet