Dealing with Problems ESL Activities and Worksheets

In this comprehensive dealing with problems worksheet, students practice common phrases for identifying and clarifying everyday problems. First, students discuss two questions about everyday problems in pairs. Students then complete phrases that identify and clarify problems with words from a box and then indicate the function of each phrase. Next, students match sentence halves to create statements related to identifying and clarifying problems. After that, students underline the correct words to complete sentences and then match each statement identifying a problem to its corresponding clarification. Students then use the language from the worksheet to write sentences identifying topic-related problems. Finally, students take turns reading each sentence to a partner, who clarifies the issue.

Here is a dealing with problems speaking activity to help students practice language for suggesting, evaluating, and agreeing on solutions. First, in two groups, students read each problem and complete two sentences with creative solutions. Next, students complete phrases to evaluate and agree on solutions using the words provided. Students then pair up with someone from the other group and use their sentences and the language from the worksheet to discuss each problem, evaluate its possible solutions, and agree on which one is the best, ticking the solution they agree on. Finally, pairs report back to the class on the solutions they agreed on for each problem and explain their reasoning.