2. Can you drive a car?
Vamos a fijarnos en la entrevista que mantuvo Olga con la señora Brown para aprender a expresar nuestras habilidades y capacidades con el verbo CAN.
Esta es una transcripción de la vídeo-llamada que tuvieron:
.
Mrs Brown: Olga? Can you hear me? I'm Hanna Brown. Are you ready for the interview? Olga: Hello! Nice to meet you "in person"! I can hear you and see you perfectly well. Can you see me? Mrs Brown: Yes, I can. The video signal is very good. Nice to meet you too, Olga. If there's no objection, I would like to begin with some questions for you. Is that all right? Olga: Of course. I'm ready for your questions. Mrs Brown: First, I'd like to know something about your motivations. Why did you decide to become our au pair? Olga: Well, I like languages and, in particular, English. As I love children and I don't have any money to pay for my travels, working as an Au Pair is a very good oportunity to get a living in U.K. Another reason is that it is difficult to find a job in Spain nowadays. I hope I will make a living there in Portsmouth. At least, temporarily. Mrs Brown: Although you are young, you're a very determined woman, Olga. I like it. Olga: Thank you so much. Mrs Brown: Another question. Do you have any eperience with children? Olga: Yes, madam. I usually help my aunts in the care of my nephews. I can take care of them. I can cook their meals. I can entertain them with games, songs...I can also help them with their homework. Mrs Brown: We need somebody to take them to school. Can you drive a car? Olga: Yes, I can. And my driving licence is valid in your country. In fact, I can also ride motorbikes! Mrs Brown: I see...Tell me, Olga. Do you feel comfortable taking on responsibility in a childcare situation? Olga: As I said before. I love children. But, to be honest, this job is temporary. My ideal job is working as a nurse. That's my vocation. Mrs Brown: Good. Now, please, tell me. How often do you wish to travel home? Olga: Once or twice a year would be OK. If possible, during Christmas holidays and in the summer. Mrs Brown: We have two children. Simon is 10 and Aaron is only two years old. Can you change his nappies? can you give him a bath and prepare the bottle for him? Olga: I have a lot of experience with my nephews. It's really a child's play for me. Don't worry about that. Mrs Brown: It's all right, Olga. That's all for now. I think you are the best candidate for the job. You are hired! Olga: It's wonderful! Thanks a lot! Mrs Brown: You're welcome. Next time, we will speak in person! Have a nice trip to Portsmouth! Olga: Thank you again. See you soon. Mrs Brown: See you, Olga. VOCABULARY HELP: Hear: oír. begin: empezar, comenzar. As: como, ya que, dado que... Get a living: encontrar un sustento o medio de vida. Hope: esperar (tener la esperanza). Make a living: ganarse la vida. Nephews: sobrinos Take care: cuidar Meals: comidas. Take on responsibilities: asumir responsabilidades. Childcare: cuidado de los niños/as. Wish: desear. Nappy/nappies: pañal/pañales. The bottle: el biberón. Hired: contratada/o.
|
![]() |
Olga can ride a motorbike! Imagen de elaboración propia |

Actividad de lectura
Ahora que has leído la entrvista de Olga y su familia de acogida, encuentra en el texto todos los ejemplos que puedas del verbo can, indicando si expresa habilidad o posibilidad.

Pre-conocimiento
¿Sabías que nunca se puede escribir “cannot” separado como se puede hacer con el resto de los verbos?
Por ejemplo “is not” o “are not”. Estos verbos modales son un poco peculiares.
Can significa poder (posibilidad) y saber (habilidad).
Por ejemplo en el diálogo Olga dice “I can help them with their homework” “Puedo ayudarles con los deberes” (posibilidad: soy capaz de ayudarles en un momento dado).
Pero si decimos “I can speak English” significa saber “Yo sé hablar inglés” (tengo la habilidad de hacerlo, independientemente del momento, sé hacerlo siempre).
Como es un verbo modal no lleva -s en la tercera persona: he can, she can, it can.
Tampoco utiliza do/does para negar : I can´t, you can´t, he can´t, she can´t ….
Tampoco utiliza do/does para preguntar, para ello se cambia el orden: Can I?, Can you?, Can he?,...

Actividad de Lectura
Traduce las siguientes frases. Piensa si el significado es poder o saber.
1.- I can play the guitar.
2.- Can I open de window?
3.- He can play tennis very well.
4.- I can´t carry this bag. It is too heavy.
5.- Can you speak Chinese?
6.- They can´t swim.

AV - Actividad de Espacios en Blanco
Rellena los huecos con la forma correcta de can:

Actividad de Lectura
Traduce
1.- Él puede venir con nosotros.
2.- Ella no puede hablar.
3.- Ella sabe conducir.
4.- ¿Sabes escribir francés?
5.- ¿Podéis abrir la puerta?
6.- ¿Saben hablar inglés?