Although I might seem like an organized and methodical person from the outside, the truth is that, in some areas, I am or can become highly and hopefully disorganised.
Context: this week I am teaching Present Perfect Simple /Continuous and its use in combination with the simple Past. I know that, over the years, I have written several posts with games and activities featuring these tenses. Problem? I have so much content on the blog, that, sometimes, it is hard to find what I am looking for. See my problem?
The idea when I started this blog was to have a repository of activities I could resort to, when needed, quickly. For the most part, I have managed to do it. However, in this case, I had to trawl the blog looking for these activities. And this is precisely what has prompted this post. Having them together. Easy to find. Up for grabs! I am not sure which activity I’ll use this year but what I know is, it will be easy to find now.
1.How Long?
Speaking game for B1 or B2 levels: Click on the Instructions to read how to play this game. Suitable to practise for and since and the present perfect simple/continuous and the simple past.
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2. You are lying
A speaking game to consolidate the use of present perfect simple and past simple. Ready for a lot of fun! Handouts provided.
This hilarious speaking activity is fairly simple and requires little preparation. It helps consolidate the use of the present perfect to talk about life experiences.
I firmly believe that the way you present things to your students matters. From boring points of grammar to challenging speaking activities, there is always a way to get their attention. I am of the opinion that students learn much better if you completely discard from your teaching the idea of boring master classes where the only person in the room seems to be the teacher and choose instead a more interactive approach. I try hard not to forget this student-centered approach during the whole lesson.
There is also something I try not to forget. You learn better when you have fun! And here we go, for a lot of fun!!
Image by Michael Rozman/WarnerBros
Skill: Speaking
Level: B1 upwards
Aim: using the Present Perfect to talk about experiences.
You never know where and who you’ll get inspiration from! I got the idea for this Speaking Activity watching Ellen Degeneres show.Have you ever seen her show? It’s hilarious! Anyway, she’s got a section called “Never Have I Ever”where she asks her guests questions and they need to put up a sign with the words Yes, I Have or I Have Never.
This hilarious speaking activity is fairly simple and requires little preparation.
♥Ask students to write on a different sheet or slip of paper the short answers Yes, I have and I have never “
♥ Tell them you are going to ask a question to the whole class.
♥ Ask them to answer your question by putting up the YES, I HAVE or I HAVE NEVER sign
♥ Ask some students to explain their answers.
It’ll certainly be funnier if you choose to ask some spicy questions like the ones Degeneres posed to her guests.
Do you want to try? How would you answer these questions?
Have you ever skipped school?
Have you ever fallen asleep in the cinema?
Have you ever been to a nude beach?
Have you ever done something you regret?
Have you ever read a whole Harry Potter book?
Have you ever drunk while underage?
Have you ever had an accident?
Have you ever kissed someone on the first date?
Have you ever read the Bible?
Have you ever aced a test without studying?
Have you ever passed out?
Have you ever slept until 5 pm?
Have you ever eaten food that fell on the floor?
Have you ever tried to cut your own hair?
Have you ever lied to get a job?
Have you ever regifted something that was gifted to you?
have you ever given a stranger a fake phone number?
I know the school year is almost over -hooray!!!, but it is never too late to let students have a look at some of the things they will be learning the coming year. Present Perfect is not an easy tense to use, especially for people from Asturias (we never use this tense if you are wondering why) but after doing these exercises you’ll soon get the knack of it. I swear!
