New here? This is lesson 125 of a free 240-lesson English course.
What I can do in English
Wednesday evening, Ana is in English class at the library. The teacher asks what people can do, and how well.
Murray sits on two chairs in the back. He came along to practice too.
By the end, you'll say what you know how to do, what you don't, and if a skill is easy or hard for you.
Use I know how to for a skill you can do. Use I'm good at for a strong skill.
By the end of this lesson
Say what you can and can't do, and how well.
- I know how to ___.I can do this skill.
- I'm good at ___.This is a strong skill for me.
- I don't know how to swim.I can't swim.
- I'm not good at this.This is a weak skill for me.
- It's easy for me.I can do this with little trouble.
- It's hard for me.This feels difficult when I try.
Scene — wednesday evening class
Same Wednesday evening at the library branch. Ana sits at a table with her notebook. The teacher writes on the board.
Murray takes two chairs in the back row. His peacoat hangs on one, and he sits on the other. The room is quiet and bright.
Learn — skills you can do
Six short lines cover skills you can do, skills you cannot do, and how well.
You'll also say if something is easy or hard for you.
I know how to ___.
I can do this skill.
When to use it: Say this when you can do a skill.
Put the action after to, like cook.
Say it: How and to can link.
I'm good at ___.
This is a strong skill for me.
When to use it: Say this when a skill is strong for you.
For an action, use the -ing form after at, like sitting.
Say it: Stress falls on good.
I don't know how to swim.
I can't swim.
When to use it: Say this when you cannot swim.
Don't is do not, said as one piece.
Say it: Don't has a strong n sound.
I'm not good at this.
This is a weak skill for me.
When to use it: Say this when a skill is weak for you.
Not after I'm shows the skill is weak.
It's easy for me.
I can do this with little trouble.
When to use it: Say this when a skill gives you little trouble.
It's is it is, said as one piece.
Say it: It's and easy can link.
It's hard for me.
This feels difficult when I try.
When to use it: Say this when a skill feels difficult.
Hard here means difficult, not firm to touch.
Story — sitting is a skill
Watch Ana talk about cooking and swimming in class. Murray has his own idea of a strong skill.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Evening class at the library. Ana raises her hand.
AnaCan I ask a question?I want to ask something now.- TeacherGo ahead, Ana. What can you do?She says Ana can speak, and asks what Ana can do.
- AnaI know how to cook.She can cook.
- TeacherHow well? Is it easy for you?She asks if cooking is easy or hard.
- AnaIt's easy for me. I cook dinner at home.Cooking gives her little trouble, and she does it at home.
- TeacherAnd swimming?She asks about swimming next.
- AnaThe water is deep.She talks about the water, not the skill.
- TeacherYou can just say, "I don't know how to swim."She wants the short line, not extra detail.
- AnaI don't know how to swim.She can't swim.
- Murray sits up on both chairs.
MurrayWell, I'm good at sitting.Sitting is a strong skill for him.- AnaSitting? I'm not good at this.She treats sitting like a class skill, and says it is weak.
- The teacher smiles.
- TeacherIt's hard for me too. Let's move on.She smiles, then she changes the topic.
Practice — easy or hard
Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay tiny, so the round moves fast.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
I don't know how to swim.Drop the Simple English hereI'm not good at this.Drop the Simple English hereIt's easy for me.Drop the Simple English hereIt's hard for me.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
The teacher asks if you can cook. You can.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
I'm good at ___.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
This is a weak skill for me.
I'm not good ____ this.
Build the line
Build the line
I can do this with little trouble.
.
Tap the words in order.
Swap the word
Swap the word
This skill feels difficult when you try.
It's ____ for me.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Someone asks how well you do this. It is a weak skill for you.
Which one doesn’t belong?
Which one doesn’t belong?
True or false?
True or false?
This line means you cook dinner in a restaurant.
Say it — your turn in class
Now you're Ana in Wednesday English class. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- TeacherWhat can you do?She asks about your skills.
- Ana (you)Cooking. You can do this skill.
Cooking. You can do this skill.
I know how to ___.
I can do this skill.
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I know how to ___. | I can do this skill. | |
| I'm good at ___. | This is a strong skill for me. | |
| I don't know how to swim. | I can't swim. | |
| I'm not good at this. | This is a weak skill for me. | |
| It's easy for me. | I can do this with little trouble. | |
| It's hard for me. | This feels difficult when I try. |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these skill lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your skill lines ready for class.
Open Yak Cards