Health & Well-being
A complete two-session B2 lesson built around modals of advice and obligation (should, ought to, had better, must, have to) — the grammar of giving healthy advice — using sleep, balance, and well-being as the theme. Includes a featured interactive reading, audio scripts, answer keys, and a self-grading workbook.
Can-Do Statements
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Talk about healthy habits, sleep, stress, and balance.
- Give advice with modals (should, shouldn't, ought to, had better) and express obligation (must, have to, mustn't).
- Make and respond to suggestions about well-being.
- Use key vocabulary — well-being, work out, balanced diet, burnout, screen time, recharge.
- Read and understand an article about habits that improve well-being and answer comprehension questions.
- Write a short advice message using modals.
Vocabulary & Phrases
This vocabulary set is shared across the lesson plan, the workbook flashcards, and the reading article.
Well-being Words
- well-being · to recharge
- to work out · to get into shape
- a balanced diet · to cut down on
- burnout · mindfulness
- screen time · a good night's sleep
- to stay active · to manage stress
Giving Advice
- You should / shouldn't…
- You ought to…
- You'd better…
- If I were you, I'd…
- It might help to…
- You really must / mustn't…
The Engine of the Lesson
Modals of advice and obligation — from gentle suggestions to strong rules.
1. Advice — should, ought to, had better
All take the base verb (no "to" after should). They range from gentle to urgent.
| should | You should get more sleep. (general advice) |
| ought to | You ought to see a doctor. (similar to should) |
| had better | You 'd better rest, or you'll get ill. (urgent + warning) |
2. Obligation — must, have to, mustn't
Use must / have to for necessity and mustn't for something that is not allowed.
| necessity | You must / have to drink enough water. |
| prohibition | You mustn't skip breakfast. |
| no necessity | You don't have to exercise every day. (it's optional) |
3. The key trap: mustn't vs don't have to
They are not the same. Mustn't = it's forbidden. Don't have to = it's not necessary.
Trap: no "to" after should/must ("You should to rest" → "You should rest"). And "had better" is followed by the base verb: "You'd better go", not "to go".
The Habits That Actually Help
A fresh, fact-based interactive article on the small habits that improve well-being. It carries the lesson's vocabulary and modal language, so it fits perfectly into Session 2 — or set it as homework.
What's inside
- A practical, research-based article on sleep, movement, screens, and stress.
- Self-grading comprehension questions with instant feedback and a score.
- A "healthy habit vs unhealthy habit" sorting task and a vocabulary flashcard deck.
- A discussion box to extend the topic into speaking.
How to use it: project it for shared reading, or assign it for homework before the discussion. Students read, then tap Show My Score on the comprehension quiz and bring the result to class.
Open the Reading →Timed Lesson Stages
Each stage lists timing, teacher instructions, and the interaction pattern.
1. Warm-Up — What Is Well-being?
Ask: "What does 'well-being' mean to you? What's one healthy habit you're proud of?" Quick pair-share, then collect words on the board.
Interaction: Pairs → whole class.
2. Vocabulary — Well-being Words
Present the shared vocabulary (well-being, work out, balanced diet, burnout, screen time, recharge). Match to meanings, then students use two in a true sentence about their week.
Interaction: Teacher → class → individual.
3. Grammar — Modals of Advice & Obligation
Write a complaint ("I'm always tired"). Elicit advice with should / ought to / had better. Then contrast must / have to / mustn't / don't have to. Drill the "mustn't vs don't have to" difference.
- Concept check: "Is this advice or a strong rule? Is it forbidden or just optional?"
- Controlled practice: students do the workbook's modal and word-order tasks.
Interaction: Guided discovery → individual.
4. Speaking — The Advice Column
The centerpiece (full instructions in the Activities section). Students read "problem letters" and give advice with modals, then swap.
Interaction: Pairs / small groups.
5. Wrap-Up
Each pair shares the best piece of advice they gave. Set the reading article for homework if you'll discuss it next session.
1. Review — Advice Ping-Pong
You name a problem ("I can't sleep"); a student gives modal advice ("You shouldn't use your phone in bed"). Go round at speed. Fast modal fluency.
Interaction: Whole class.
2. Reading — The Habits That Actually Help
Use the interactive reading page (linked above). Students read the article and complete the self-grading comprehension and the "healthy vs unhealthy habit" sorter.
- Pre-reading: students predict how many hours of sleep a teenager needs.
- While reading: underline one tip they could try this week.
- After: compare, then tap Show My Score.
Interaction: Individual → pairs.
3. Listening — A Friend's Advice
Play Audio 2 (script below). Students complete the workbook's listening task. Play twice.
Interaction: Individual → class check.
4. Writing — Advice for a Stressed Friend
Students write a short message (80–100 words) giving a stressed or tired friend advice, using modals.
Model: "Hi Tom, I'm sorry you've been feeling so tired. First, you really should get more sleep — teenagers need eight to ten hours. You ought to put your phone in another room at night; you mustn't scroll until midnight! You don't have to join a gym, but a short daily walk would help you recharge. You'd better cut down on coffee in the afternoon too. Small changes will make a big difference. Take care of yourself!"
- Target: a mix of should / ought to / had better / must / mustn't, shared vocabulary.
- Students self-check against the workbook checklist, then review the flashcards.
Interaction: Individual.
5. Share, Score & Reflect
Students read their advice to a partner, who chooses the tip they'd most likely follow. Then they tap Show My Score in the workbook and show you the result.
Speaking Activities
The centerpiece is The Advice Column. Rotate the games below across lessons.
The Advice Column
Pairs or small groups. Goal: read a problem and give caring, varied advice with modals.
- Give each pair a "problem letter" ("I'm exhausted but I can't sleep", "I sit at a screen all day", "I keep skipping meals when I'm stressed").
- Pairs become advice columnists. They write or say three pieces of advice, using a different modal each time (should, ought to, had better, mustn't…).
- They pass the letter on; the next pair adds one more idea or politely disagrees.
- Read the best replies aloud. The class votes for the kindest and most useful advice.
More Activities (rotate these)
Advice Ping-Pong
You name a problem; a student fires back modal advice and names a new problem for the next person. No repeats allowed. Fast, fun fluency with should / ought to / had better.
Must or Mustn't?
Read situations ("…before an exam", "…when you're driving"). Teams race to make one "must" and one "mustn't" sentence for each. Targets the trickiest modal contrast.
Habit Charades
Students mime a habit (working out, scrolling at night, meditating, drinking water). Teammates guess and then give advice: "You should do more of that!" Vocabulary + modals.
Myth or Fact?
Show wellness claims ("You must drink 3 liters of water a day"). Pairs decide myth or fact and rewrite each with the right modal strength. Critical thinking + accuracy.
Audio & Transcripts
Tap a transcript to open it. Add your recording in the player, and use the same file in the student workbook's Listening task.
Audio 1My Wellness Routine (model)+
Speaker: I used to feel tired all the time, so I made a few small changes. Now I try to get a good night's sleep — you really should aim for eight hours. I work out three times a week, nothing extreme, just enough to recharge. I've cut down on screen time before bed, and I think everyone ought to do that. You don't have to be perfect; you just mustn't give up after one bad week. Little by little, I feel so much better.
How to use: Play once as a model before the speaking activity. Ask students to catch the modals ("you should, you ought to, you mustn't"). Then they describe their own routine and give one piece of advice.
Audio 2A Friend's Advice (listening task)+
Maya: I've been so tired lately. I can't focus at all.
Sam: You should try going to bed earlier. How much sleep do you get?
Maya: Maybe five or six hours. I scroll on my phone till midnight.
Sam: That's the problem. You shouldn't use your phone in bed. You ought to put it in another room.
Maya: That's hard. But I guess I'd better try.
Sam: You should also get some exercise. Even a short walk helps you recharge.
Maya: Good idea. I really need to cut down on caffeine too.
Sam: Definitely. And you mustn't skip breakfast — it gives you energy.
Maya: Thanks, Sam. I'll start tonight.
How to use: This is the source audio for the workbook's Listening task. Two voices work best. Play for gist first ("What's Maya's problem?"), then for detail. Notice every modal of advice.
Audio 3Pronunciation — "should've / shouldn't" (optional)+
Listen-and-repeat. "shouldn't" is /ˈʃʊdnt/ and "ought to" often sounds like "oughta".
You should rest. — You shouldn't worry. — You ought to try. — You'd better go.
How to use: B2 students often over-pronounce the modal. Drill the weak, natural forms so their advice sounds fluent and friendly.
Workbook & Reading Answers
These match the self-grading workbook and reading page. Both grade automatically; keys are here for board correction.
Workbook Reading — Teaser
- How many hours of sleep do teenagers need? — 8 to 10 hours
- People who keep screen time to two hours or less have far lower odds of poor sleep.
- What does the article say a short daily walk helps you do? — recharge / feel better
Listening — Fill in the Blank (Audio 2)
- Maya only gets five or six hours of sleep.
- Sam says she shouldn't use her phone in bed.
- Maya needs to cut down on caffeine.
Listening — Multiple Choice (Audio 2)
- What does Sam say Maya ought to do with her phone? — b) put it in another room
- What mustn't Maya skip? — c) breakfast
Grammar — Modals
- You look exhausted. You should get more sleep.
- You shouldn't skip meals.
- To stay healthy, you must / have to drink enough water.
- You 'd better / had better see a doctor if the pain continues.
- Everyone ought to do some exercise.
Word Order
- You should drink more water.
- You shouldn't eat so much sugar.
Reading Page — Comprehension
- How many hours of sleep do teenagers need? — 8 to 10 hours
- How many hours do most adults need? — 7 to 9 hours
- Keeping screen time to how long is linked to better sleep? — two hours or less a day
- What is "burnout"? — exhaustion caused by long-term stress
- The article says the best habits are… — b) small and consistent
- The main message is… — c) simple daily habits protect our well-being
Reading Page — Healthy vs Unhealthy (sorter)
- Healthy habit: getting eight hours' sleep, taking a daily walk, eating a balanced diet
- Unhealthy habit: scrolling at midnight, skipping breakfast, sitting all day
Common Student Errors
Watch for these at B2 and correct gently in the moment.
| Typical Error | Correct Form | Why & How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "You should to rest." | "You should rest." | No "to" after should/must — use the base verb. |
| "You mustn't to skip breakfast." | "You mustn't skip breakfast." | Again, no "to" after the modal. |
| "You don't must drink coffee." | "You mustn't drink coffee." / "You don't have to…" | "must" has no "don't" form — use mustn't or don't have to. |
| "You mustn't join a gym (= it's optional)." | "You don't have to join a gym." | mustn't = forbidden; don't have to = not necessary. |
| "You'd better to sleep." | "You'd better sleep." | "had better" + base verb, no "to". |
| "a good advice" | "good advice / a piece of advice" | "advice" is uncountable → no article. |
Extension & Homework
In-Class Options
- Write a "wellness contract": five things you should and shouldn't do this month.
- Design a poster of five well-being rules, each with a different modal.
- Use the workbook flashcards to quiz a partner on the vocabulary.
At-Home Practice
- Read the interactive article and complete the comprehension quiz; bring your score.
- Try one new healthy habit for three days and write a short reflection.
- Finish any workbook tasks and review the flashcards.
How to Measure Success
Ready to run the lesson?
Open the student workbook (self-grading, with flashcards) and the interactive reading article. No login.
Open the Student Workbook Open the Reading