About this worksheet: This lesson covers how to give instructions and directions to a client in English. You’ll learn imperative grammar, coaching vocabulary for body position and form, and soft correction language. CEFR level: A2–B1. Exercise types: grammar practice, vocabulary study, sentence transformation, fill-in-the-blanks, speaking prompts (dialogue + roleplay), and a review quiz. Estimated time: 30–40 minutes.
🏋️ Coaching English — Class 3
Giving Instructions & Directions
Warm-Up: The First Exercise
Imagine you’re training a new English-speaking client for the first time. You need to show them how to do a basic exercise — a bodyweight squat. How would you explain it step by step in English?
Take 2 minutes. Think about how you would teach a squat to a complete beginner. What do you say? What words do you use for:
- Where to stand?
- What to do with their feet, knees, back?
- How slow or fast to go?
- How many repetitions?
Say your instructions out loud in English. Don’t worry about grammar — just try!
Grammar Lab: Imperatives — “Stand here, keep your back straight”
When you coach, you give instructions all the time. Imperatives are the simplest and most common grammar form for this — and they’re easier than you think!
When to Use Imperatives in Coaching
Practice: Rewrite the Instruction
Each sentence below is a direct imperative. Rewrite it using a softer phrase — Try to…, Make sure you…, Remember to…, or Focus on…. Any correct soft version is accepted.
Giving Instructions Vocabulary
These are the words and phrases you’ll use to give instructions during a training session.
Position & Placement
Body & Form
Pacing & Control
Soft Correction Language
Words from Last Class (Quick Review)
Soften the Command
These are direct imperatives — too blunt for a nervous client. Rewrite each one using a softer phrase: Try to…, Make sure you…, Remember to…, or Focus on…. Any correct soft version works.
Fill the Gaps: Coaching a Squat
Read the coach’s instructions for a bodyweight squat. Fill in the missing words from the word bank.
Speaking: Demo & Coach
Now it’s time to put everything together. Practice both roles yourself — first as the coach, then as the client.
Part 1: Read the Dialogue
Coach: Okay, let’s start with bodyweight squats. Stand here, facing the mirror.
Client: Like this?
Coach: Yes! Feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your back straight and chest up. Engage your core.
Client: Okay, I’m ready.
Coach: Now, slowly go down. Keep your weight on your heels. Don’t let your knees cave in. Face forward — don’t look down.
Client: How low should I go?
Coach: Try to go until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Hold for 2 seconds at the bottom, then come up. Breathe out on the way up.
Client: Like this?
Coach: Perfect! That’s great form. Let’s do 3 sets of 10 reps. Rest 30 seconds between sets. Take your time — slow and controlled.
Part 2: Roleplay Cards
Practice both roles yourself — first as the coach, then as the client. Use the vocabulary and imperatives from today’s lesson.
• Hand placement (shoulder-width, flat on the floor)
• Body position (straight line from head to heels, engage core)
• The movement (go down slowly, chest just above the floor, push up)
• Breathing (breathe out going up)
• Reps (3 sets of 8, rest 45 seconds)
Client: Ask questions if you’re not sure. Try to follow the instructions.
• Starting position (forearms on the floor, elbows under shoulders)
• Body position (straight line, hips not too high or low, engage core)
• What not to do (don’t sag, don’t lift hips too high)
• Time (hold for 30 seconds, 3 sets, rest 20 seconds)
Client: Ask questions and try to follow. Tell the coach if something feels wrong.
• Foot placement (feet hip-width, bar over mid-foot)
• Grip (hands just outside knees)
• Back position (flat back, chest up, look forward not up)
• The movement (push hips back, lower the bar along your legs, keep it close)
• Safety (don’t round your back, don’t jerk the weight up)
• Reps (3 sets of 8, slow and controlled)
Client: Follow along and ask questions. Tell the coach if your back feels rounded.
• Starting position (stand tall, feet together)
• The step (step forward, big enough so your knee is at 90 degrees)
• What to check (front knee over ankle, back straight, chest up)
• The movement (lower down, push back to start through front heel)
• Safety (don’t let front knee go past toes, don’t lean forward)
• Reps (3 sets of 10 per leg, alternate legs)
Client: Follow along. Ask about anything that feels uncomfortable.
Review: What Did You Learn?
Let’s check what you remember from today’s lesson.
Quick Quiz
📊 Your Results
Self-Check ✅
- I can give instructions using imperatives (Stand here, Keep your back straight)
- I can use negative imperatives (Don’t lock your knees)
- I can use soft correction language (Try to…, Make sure you…)
- I know vocabulary for body position, form, and pacing
- I can teach a basic exercise step by step in English
- I can use reps and sets language (3 sets of 10, rest 30 seconds)
Homework 📝
- Write instructions for one exercise. Choose any exercise (squat, push-up, plank, deadlift, lunge, or your own). Write step-by-step instructions in English using imperatives. At least 8 sentences. Keep your written instructions for your next class.
- Record yourself coaching. Pick one exercise and record a 1-minute voice note where you coach an imaginary client through the exercise in English. Use at least 5 vocabulary words from today’s lesson. Save your recording for your next class.
- Complete the Review quiz above if you haven’t already.
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