Fixing a Tech Glitch Before a Teams Lesson
Read/Listen first
Yesterday, I was getting ready for an online lesson when my laptop suddenly showed a blue screen. I had to restart it twice, and I checked the power cable to make sure it was plugged in properly. While the computer was restarting, I opened my phone to tell the learner I would be a few minutes late. Since this has happened before, I now keep a short list of instructions on my desk. After the laptop finally loaded, I connected to the VPN and waited until the small icon turned green. Only then did I join the meeting in Teams, so the shared files would open without errors. To explain a diagram quickly, I used Microsoft Paint as a temporary digital whiteboard, and the learner could follow my steps. In the end, the tools worked, and we finished the session calmly.Word count: 141
⚡ Learning goals
- Handle a simple tech problem and keep the lesson on track.
- Explain steps clearly using time words like while, after, and until.
- Ask for a short delay politely and confirm what is working.
✨ Key language
- I'll be a few minutes late. “I'll be a few minutes late, sorry.”
- Wait until the icon turns green. “Wait until the icon turns green.”
- I had to restart my laptop. “I had to restart it twice.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Past continuous + when (background + interruption)
Rule: Use was/were + -ing for the longer action, and when for the sudden event.
Examples: I was getting ready for an online lesson when my laptop showed a blue screen.; While the computer was restarting, I opened my phone.; I was waiting when the icon finally turned green.
Common pitfall + fix: Using past simple for both actions — Use past continuous for the background action: I was getting ready….
Choose the best option: I ____ getting ready when the blue screen appeared.
Tip: Use was with I for past continuous.
Fill with the best answer: While the computer ____ , I opened my phone.
Tip: Use was/were + -ing after while.
2️⃣ Had to (past obligation)
Rule: Use had to + base verb to say something was necessary in the past.
Examples: I had to restart it twice.; I had to check the power cable.; We had to wait a minute before joining.
Common pitfall + fix: Saying musted or must to — Use had to for past obligation..
Which sentence is correct?
Tip: Past obligation = had to.
Fill with the best answer: I ____ the power cable to make sure it was plugged in.
Tip: Use had to + base verb.
3️⃣ Present perfect (experience)
Rule: Use has/have + past participle for experiences that connect to now (no exact time).
Examples: This has happened before.; I have kept a short list of instructions on my desk.; We have finished the session calmly.
Common pitfall + fix: Adding a precise past time (yesterday) with present perfect — Use past simple with a finished time: It happened yesterday..
Pick the best option: This ____ happened before.
Tip: With this, use has.
Fill with the best answer: Since this ____ before, I keep instructions on my desk.
Tip: Use has/have + past participle.
4️⃣ Sequencing with until / after (and "Only then")
Rule: Use until to show a waiting point, and after for the next step. Only then adds emphasis.
Examples: I waited until the icon turned green.; After the laptop loaded, I connected to the VPN.; Only then did I join the meeting in Teams.
Common pitfall + fix: Joining too early in your sentence order — Show the sequence clearly: Wait until… Only then….
Complete the idea: Wait ____ the icon turns green.
Tip: Until = stop waiting at that moment.
Fill with the best answer: ____ I join the meeting in Teams.
Tip: With Only then, the verb comes before the subject.
✍️ Vocabulary
blue screen
Meaning: A sudden error screen on a computer that stops your work.Synonyms: error screen, system crash
Chunk/Idiom: show a blue screen (to stop suddenly)
Example: The laptop showed a blue screen during the lesson.
Morphology: noun phrase (blue screen)
Self-practice: Say when you last saw a blue screen.
restart
Meaning: To start a device again after it stops working.Synonyms: reboot, start again
Chunk/Idiom: restart the laptop
Example: I had to restart my laptop twice.
Morphology: verb (restart) / noun (restart)
Self-practice: Tell a partner how to restart safely.
power cable
Meaning: The thick wire that brings electricity to your laptop.Synonyms: charging cable, power cord
Chunk/Idiom: check the power cable
Example: I checked the power cable before I called for help.
Morphology: noun (cable) / adjective (power)
Self-practice: Point to the power cable and name it.
VPN
Meaning: A secure connection that lets you access company files online.Synonyms: secure network, encrypted connection
Chunk/Idiom: connect to the VPN
Example: I connected to the VPN and waited for the icon to turn green.
Morphology: noun (VPN)
Self-practice: Explain why a VPN is useful at work.
icon
Meaning: A small picture on a screen that shows an app or status.Synonyms: symbol, indicator
Chunk/Idiom: the icon turns green
Example: The icon turned green, so I joined the meeting.
Morphology: noun (icon) / adjective (iconic)
Self-practice: Describe an icon you use every day.
digital whiteboard
Meaning: A screen tool you can draw on to explain ideas.Synonyms: online board, shared board
Chunk/Idiom: use a digital whiteboard
Example: I used a digital whiteboard to explain a diagram quickly.
Morphology: noun phrase (whiteboard) / adjective (digital)
Self-practice: Name one thing you could draw on a whiteboard.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
I had to restart the laptop before the lesson started.
Wait until the VPN icon turns green, then open your files.
This has happened before, so I keep clear instructions nearby.
I used Paint as a digital whiteboard to explain the diagram.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Which sentence matches the story best?
Tip: Choose the option that describes a past necessity.
Choose the correct connector: I waited ____ the icon turned green.
Tip: You wait until something happens.
Fill with the best answer:
I ____ ready for the lesson when the blue screen appeared.Tip: Background action in the past = was/were + -ing.
Fill with the best answer:
This ____ before, so I keep a short list of instructions.Tip: Experience linked to now = has/have + past participle.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
What is a power cable?
Tip: Think: electricity + laptop.
Why did the speaker connect to the VPN?
Tip: A VPN helps you access company files safely.
Fill with the best answer:
The laptop suddenly showed a ____ .Tip: It is an error screen that stops your work.
Fill with the best answer:
Paint can be used as a temporary ____ .Tip: It is a tool you can draw on to explain ideas.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: Hi, I'm sorry—my laptop just showed a blue screen.B: No problem. What do you need to do?
A: I'll restart it and join as soon as the VPN icon turns green.
B: Great—message me if it takes longer.
Why this matters:
In remote lessons, small technical problems happen. Clear sequencing words help your learner stay calm and informed. They also help you give quick, professional instructions.Verb & Adjective Pack:
restart quickly — I restarted it twice and stayed calm.plugged in — The cable was plugged in properly.
secure access — The VPN gave me secure access to shared files.
temporary solution — Paint was a temporary solution for a quick diagram.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: Wait ____ the icon turns green.
Tip: Use until to show the end point of waiting.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: I must to restart my laptop yesterday.
Tip: Past obligation = had to.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
I connected to the VPN and waited until the icon turned green.
Tip: Listen for connected, waited, and until.