Giving instructions

In this video, Vanya helps Emir learn how to use a new coffee machine. Listen to the language Vanya uses to give instructions and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you give instructions? Listen out for useful language for giving instructions. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Emir: Argh! It's not working. 

Vanya: Are you OK?

Emir: Do you know how to use this machine?

Vanya: Yeah, I'll show you.

Emir: Ah, thanks.

Vanya: OK. First, you have to put the correct amount of coffee in here.

Emir: Aha.

Vanya: Then you press it down with this.

Emir: I see.

Vanya: Right, OK. Next, you put this here and turn it until it's quite tight.

Emir: Right.

Vanya: After that, you just press this button.

Emir: OK, that seems clear.

Vanya: Great! Now it's your turn. 

Emir: Is this OK?

Vanya: Yes, that's right. Now press it down.

Emir: Like this? 

Vanya: Yeah, you're doing well.

Emir: Thanks! What do I do next?

Vanya: Connect it to the machine.

Emir: Is there anything else?

Vanya: That's it. Just press the button.

Vanya: Well?

Emir: Delicious! Thank you.

Vanya: You're welcome. 

 

Ana: Hello again! Oh, I love a good coffee! So, did you notice the useful phrases used for giving instructions? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

First, you have to put the coffee here. 

Then you press it down with this.

I see.

Right, OK. Next, you put this here.

After that, you just press this button.

OK, that seems clear.

Is this OK?

Yes, that's right.

Like this?

You're doing well.

What do I do next?

Is there anything else?

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you give instructions in English. Bye for now!

Discussion

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Average: 4.1 (124 votes)

Submitted by abdosohif on Tue, 11/08/2026 - 19:34

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This video not working with me

Hello abdosohif,

I've checked the page and the video is working correctly, so the problem must be at your end. There are a few things you can try. First of all, try accessing the page on a different device. Some mobile devices have problems showing certain types of multimedia, for example, and accessing the page on a different device will tell you if this is the issue. Second, check your security settings for your system or browser to check that video content is not being blocked. You may need to add LearnEnglish to your list of sites where such content is not blocked.

Sometimes certain content is blocked due to local restrictions. Obviously, there is nothing we can do in such cases.

Finally, if you cannot access the video on this site directly, you can find it on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLvGYEjutWo

 

I hope that helps.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

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Submitted by alquseir on Fri, 07/08/2026 - 07:14

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Maybe 🤔, when was at work I gave my coworker instructions to clean his machine.

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Submitted by TeaAndEnglish on Mon, 27/07/2026 - 20:56

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The last time was actually this morning! I had to walk someone through a quick task in English, and it went pretty smoothly.

 

Submitted by Mr.Aissam on Wed, 22/07/2026 - 18:10

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last month whene i was been in China for a mission work there, chinese man gave me instruction how i registred in the inaplication to China it was  in Shanghai aeroport.

Submitted by the algerian. on Thu, 09/07/2026 - 09:39

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The last time I gave someone instructions was almost a week ago. I taught him how to do his first pull-up, he listened to me carefully, and he was able to do his first pull-up perfectly in just three days.

Submitted by mariam1127 on Wed, 24/06/2026 - 00:52

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TheVideoDidn’t WorkWith me I don’t know why

Hello mariam1127,

I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with the videos. I've checked the page and it seems to be working correctly so it may be an issue with either your system (your security settings, particularly if you use a firewall) or it may be that your network provider blocks multimedia from certain sites.

You can also find our videos on YouTube. If you do a search for 'british council learn english a2 giving instructions' then you'll find the video there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLvGYEjutWo

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

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Submitted by Paulo51 on Fri, 19/06/2026 - 14:21

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Icostume give instructions in english everyday, because I´m Teacher in English. So, this is normal for me.

Submitted by soeminthan on Mon, 15/06/2026 - 05:43

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Task 2 doesn't seem to work.

Thank you so much for letting us learn to English.