Short answer: Start with a picture, then use signs and phone messages to make the meaning clear. Must and have to can both mean that something is necessary. The key negative difference is mustn’t (not allowed) and don’t have to (you can choose).
By Gav & Em · Original teaching material · Published 21 October 2026 · Revised 24 October 2026
Try this in your next lesson
RUL1: First day, strange rules. Suggested A2–B1 · Adults and teens · About 40–50 minutes · Six-page PDF: four main learner pages, optional homework and one teacher answer page. No signup needed.
A simple route into rules
Keep the opening picture discussion. Learners notice a blocked doorway, a distracting call and a visitor considering a badge. Ask what might help before introducing the language. The pictures suggest possible rules; they do not prove the workspace’s policy.
Page 2 puts a sign beside each meaning: something necessary, something forbidden and something optional. Use the paired examples You must sign in and You have to sign in. Both are natural. Avoid teaching a rigid difference that makes learners reject a correct sentence.
For the negatives, ask a simple question: do I have a choice? You mustn’t wear a badge forbids it. You don’t have to wear a badge allows the visitor to choose.
Check a friend’s phone message
On page 3, Alex’s texts appear on a phone. Learners check four messages against the studio’s signs, keep the correct message and correct the others. They then take turns asking questions such as Do I have to bring a laptop? The signs provide all the information; there are no private role sheets or booking puzzles.
Keep the conversation going
Choose a gym, library or park picture and agree three sensible rules. Then use the twelve speaking questions to explore rules at work, at home and in public places. Ask for reasons and examples. Choose a few worthwhile questions rather than rushing through all twelve.
One-to-one, we can take the other speaking role and give the learner time to think. For a shorter lesson, use pages 1–3 and two discussion questions. The optional homework revisits the same clear meanings and includes a short reply to Sam’s text.
Choose your download
- Complete six-page teaching pack.
- Student pages only (four pages).
- Teacher notes and answers (one page).
- Optional homework and answer key (2 pages, separate refreshed task).
- Editable Word source.
Give learners pages 1–4. Add page 5 only if using the homework; keep page 6 teacher-only. The pack includes the original opening pictures, six additional illustrations, model signs, phone messages and numbered answers.
Free for classroom use. © 2026 How to English with Gav & Em. You’re welcome to use and adapt our original materials with your students. Please keep our credit and link to this page when sharing with other teachers. Commercial resale or republication requires permission.
Grammar reference: British Council: Modals, permission and obligation. This is an original lesson, not an episode transcript. The signs and messages are fictional examples. The revised pack has been editorially checked; classroom timing remains an estimate.