The Modal Book: Around the World with Joe and Lisa

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The Modal Book is a clear, engaging, and highly practical resource designed to help English learners understand one of the most challenging areas of English grammar: modal verbs. Spanning 14 photocopiable units, the book explores both the form and the nuanced meanings of modals across key semantic categories such as Modals of Ability, Modals of Permission, Modals of Advice, Modals of Prohibition, Modals of Possibility, and more. Rather than presenting modals as abstract rules, the book contextualizes them through accessible readings and communicative exercises that make grammar meaningful, memorable, and useful for real-world communication.

Each unit centers on a theme-rich reading―many of which take learners on cultural journeys to countries around the world, including Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Turkey, and others. These readings model modal structures in authentic contexts, helping students understand how modals express probability, politeness, necessity, obligation, suggestion, and permission across different situations. Follow-up activities guide students to examine form, clarify meaning, and use modals accurately in their own speaking and writing.

Designed for flexibility, The Modal Book can serve as a stand-alone textbook for a dedicated grammar course or as a supplementary resource from which teachers can photocopy individual lessons to support targeted instruction. Its blend of structured grammar instruction, engaging cultural content, and meaningful practice makes it especially valuable for intermediate learners who benefit from repeated, contextualized exposure to modal verbs.

Ideal for classrooms, tutoring centers, grammar workshops, adult education programs, and self-study, this resource equips learners with the tools they need to interpret and produce modal verbs confidently and appropriately.

Features

• Fourteen photocopiable units focused on English modal verbs.
• Covers key modal categories including ability, permission, advice, prohibition, possibility, obligation, and necessity.
• Theme-based readings that present modals in meaningful, authentic contexts.
• Cultural readings featuring countries such as Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, and Turkey.
• Communicative exercises that reinforce grammar through speaking and writing.
• Suitable as a complete grammar text or a photocopiable supplementary resource.
• Ideal for intermediate English learners in classrooms, tutoring, adult education, and self-study.
• Easy-to-follow explanations with practical, real-world language practice.

Sample Materials & Free Resources

Sample materials and additional free resources are available at:
https://www.prolingualearning.com/the-modal-book/

Joseph Krupp co-authored The Modal Book with Lisa Tenuta.