A2 • Lesson 19 of 75

Explaining Processes

How-to explanations step by step

🎨 Description
📖 Do Prep First →

How Does It Work?

Every day, someone asks you to explain something: How do you get there? How do you make that? How does that work?

The Problem

Confusing explanation:

"You put flour and eggs and you mix it and add sugar and bake it and put butter and..."

😵 No structure, no order, impossible to follow!

The Solution

Clear explanation:

"First, you need to mix the flour and sugar in a bowl. Then, add the eggs and butter. After that, you stir everything together. Finally, you put it in the oven for 30 minutes."

✓ Clear steps, easy to follow!

Today's Goal: Learn a clear framework for explaining any process step-by-step, so your instructions are easy to follow.

The Process Framework

1
Introduction: "Let me explain how to..." / "So basically, the way it works is..."
2
First step: "First, you need to..." / "The first thing you do is..."
3
Following steps: "Then..." / "After that..." / "Next..." / "Once you've done that..."
4
Final step: "Finally..." / "The last step is..." / "And that's it!"

Key Phrases

Starting the Explanation

"Let me explain how to..." / "So basically..." / "It's actually quite simple..."

Purpose: Signal that you're about to give instructions

  • "Let me show you how it works."
  • "So the way you do it is..."
  • "It's pretty straightforward, actually."

Sequencing Words

First → Then → After that → Next → Finally

More options:

  • "To start with,..." / "To begin,..."
  • "Once you've done that,..."
  • "At this point,..."
  • "The next step is..."
  • "Lastly,..." / "The final step is..."

Adding Tips & Warnings

"Make sure you..." / "Be careful not to..." / "The important thing is..."

Purpose: Add helpful advice during the explanation

  • "Make sure you do this before..."
  • "Be careful not to... or it won't work."
  • "The trick is to..."
  • "One thing to remember is..."

Concluding

"And that's basically it!" / "It's as simple as that." / "And you're done!"

Purpose: Signal the explanation is complete

  • "And that's how you do it."
  • "So that's the basic process."
  • "Does that make sense?"

Guided Practice

Explain these processes using the framework. Say each explanation aloud!

📖 Explain: How to make a cup of tea

Use: First → Then → After that → Finally

Example: "First, you boil the water. Then, you put the tea bag in the cup. After that, you pour the hot water. Finally, you add milk if you like it."

📖 Explain: How to get from your home to the nearest supermarket

Use directions + sequencing words

Include: turn left/right, go straight, you'll see...

📖 Explain: How to send an email

Explain to someone who has never used email before!

Start with: "So basically, the way it works is..."

📖 Explain: Your morning routine

Explain what you do from waking up to leaving home

Use: First I..., Then I..., After that I..., Finally I...

Free Production: How-To Master

Explain each process clearly for 1-2 minutes. Imagine your listener knows nothing!

Explanation Timer

2:00

🎯 Topic 1: How to do something you're good at

Cooking a specific dish? A hobby? A work skill? Choose something and explain it clearly!

🎯 Topic 2: How to use a specific app or website

Explain how to use Instagram, Google Maps, or any app you use regularly.

🎯 Topic 3: How something works (machine, system, process)

How does a coffee machine work? How does your company handle orders? How does recycling work in your city?

🎯 Topic 4: How to deal with a problem

Explain how to fix a common problem: reset a password, fix a slow computer, deal with a difficult colleague...

Check: Could a complete beginner follow your explanation?

Recall Zone

📍 From Lesson 4: Telling Stories

What sequencing phrases did you learn?

So,... → First,... → Then/After that,... → Suddenly,... → In the end,...

💡 Same structure works for processes - minus "Suddenly"!

📍 From Lesson 11: Cause & Effect

What phrase shows result?

"This means..." / "As a result,..."

💡 Add cause-effect: "If you add too much water, this means the mixture will be too thin."

📍 From Lesson 16: Fillers

What filler is good for explanations?

"So basically,..."

💡 Perfect opener: "So basically, the way it works is..."

Self-Check

📋 Today's "I Can" Statement

"I can explain processes and give instructions step-by-step using sequencing words like 'First', 'Then', 'After that', and 'Finally'."

How confident do you feel?

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Quick Reference

Start: "Let me explain..." / "So basically..." / "The way it works is..."

Steps: First → Then → After that → Next → Finally

Tips: "Make sure you..." / "Be careful not to..." / "The trick is..."

End: "And that's it!" / "Does that make sense?"

Next lesson: The A2 MASTERY TEST! You'll use ALL your skills together.

← Lesson 18