Teaching the concept of necessity

INTRODUCING MODAL VERBS USING GRAMMAR TRANSLATION

METHOD

To introduce generic modal verbs, the teacher can begin by writing on the board two
sentences that contain a modal verb ..
E.g. Can we go to the baker,s next? I need to get some bread.
We do not need to leave yet. It is two fifteen.
He needs to pay his rent every month.

I need to study for the test.

I must study for the exam.

Then, the teacher explains the values of the modals „Must”: obligation, probability,
interdiction (must not) , „Can”: ability, possibility, permission and „May”: permission,
possibility.
The teacher puts down another examples with „Must” and „Can” and the students are
required to identify the values of each modal verb.
E.g. The Chinese pupils must wear a uniform at school.
He must be sleeping now. He always sleeps at 10 o’ clock.
He can swim very fast.
Can I use your phone?
He may be studying now. He often studies in the evening.
May I enter the classroom?
That black haired woman can’t be his mom. His mom has blonde hair.
This activity is designed to make the students acquire the different values of modal
verbs.

INTRODUCING “ MUST ” / “NEED”/ “ NEED TO ” FOR NECESSITY

The teacher writes the following patterns and sample sentences on the blackboard:

 MUST + Present Infinitive → logical deduction, supposition about a present

action;

E.g. She must be happy. She has won the big prize.

 MUST + Perfect Infinitive → logical deduction, assumption about a past