ESL CONNECT

Asking for Technical Support

An A2 ESL CONNECT lesson on asking for technical support, helping learners describe basic tech problems and follow simple instructions.

Section 1
Stage 1 — Lead-in

Help! My computer has a problem.

Practise simple, useful English for describing computer problems, asking for help, and following clear instructions.

Scenario

You cannot log in to your work app. You see an error message. You call IT support and ask for help.

LevelA2 everyday work English
Time60 minutes, 8 pages
GoalDescribe a tech problem clearly

Discuss with your partner:

1. What technology do you use every day?

2. What problems do you often have: slow internet, password problems, printer problems?

3. Who do you ask for help?

The problem today

A worker cannot log in to a work app. The screen freezes and says: “Error 403”. The worker has an important meeting soon.

phone callIT supporturgent problem
7 min
Stage 2 — Vocabulary 1
Useful tech words
8 minutes · Click a word, then click a blank.
Use simple words first. At A2, it is fine to say “the screen is frozen” or “I cannot log in”.
error
printer
password
internet
restart
screen
app
frozen

I can’t remember my .

The is black.

My computer is . It is not moving.

Please your computer.

I see an message.

The work is not opening.

The has no paper.

The is very slow today.

8 min
Stage 3 — Vocabulary 2
Problem or solution?
7 minutes · Read and match.

Match the problem to a good solution.

1. I cannot log in.
Solution: ______________________________
2. The screen is frozen.
Solution: ______________________________
3. The internet is slow.
Solution: ______________________________
4. The printer is not working.
Solution: ______________________________
5. I see an error message.
Solution: ______________________________
6. I cannot hear you.
Solution: ______________________________

Speak:

A: “I can’t log in.”
B: “Please ______________________________.”

Now practise the six mini-dialogues with a partner.

7 min
Stage 4 — Grammar
Simple grammar for tech support
10 minutes · Study and practise.

Problem sentences

I can’t log in.
The app is not working.
The screen is frozen.
The internet is slow.

Requests for help

Could you help me, please?
Can you check it for me?
Could you say that again, please?
Can you explain it slowly?

Instructions

Please restart the computer.
Please close the app.
Please open the browser.
Please try again now.

Checking

Is it working now?
Can you see the login page?
Do you see an error message?
What happens when you click there?

Make sentences:

1. I can’t + verb: I can’t log in.

2. It is + adjective: It is frozen.

3. Please + verb: Please restart the computer.

4. Could you + verb?: Could you help me?

10 min
Stage 5 — Grammar quiz
Choose the best sentence
10 minutes · Multiple choice.

Quiz complete!

5/6score

Great work!

10 min
Stage 6 — Functional language
Useful support phrases
8 minutes · Listen, repeat, practise.

User phrases

I have a problem with my computer.
I can’t log in to the app.
The screen is frozen.
I see an error message.
Could you say that again, please?

Support agent phrases

Can you tell me your name?
What error message do you see?
Please restart your computer.
Please try again now.
Is it working now?
8 min
Stage 7 — Role play
Call IT support
15 minutes · Pair work.
Student A is the user. Student B is the IT support agent. Then swap roles with a new problem.
Student A — User

You cannot log in to the work app. You see error 403. The screen freezes. You need help before a meeting.

Student B — IT Support

Ask questions. Give simple instructions. Tell the user to close the app and restart the computer.

IT support
Good morning, IT support. How can I help you?
User
[Say hello. Say you have a problem. You can’t log in to the work app.]
IT support
I can help. Can you tell me your name, please?
User
[Give your name. Say you see error 403.]
IT support
Thank you. What happens when you type your password?
User
[Say the screen freezes and the app stops working.]
IT support
Please close the app and open it again.
User
[Say you did that, but it is still not working.]
IT support
Please restart your computer. Then try again.
User
[Say it is working now. Thank the agent.]
IT support
Great. Is there anything else I can help you with?
User
[Say no, thank you. End the call politely.]

Swap roles — new problem

The printer is not working. The solution: check the paper, check the cable, and restart the printer.

15 min
Stage 8 — Review
Lesson complete!
5 minutes · Review and homework.

Today’s lesson

Asking for Technical Support

A2 level · 60 minutes

You practised:

8 useful tech words
problem and solution vocabulary
can’t + verb, Please + verb, Could you...?
6 grammar quiz questions
a full IT support role play

Homework

Write a short message to IT support. Say: what the problem is, when it started, and what you need.