Learning goals
- Address common errors and misconceptions regarding the use of present tenses, such as incorrect verb conjugations or confusion between different tenses.
- Introduce the concept of present tenses through interactive activities, emphasizing the difference between present simple, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.
- Apply understanding of present tenses through personalized and creative tasks, enhancing their practical usage in different contexts.
- Consolidate learning through a creative review activity and reflect on the learning process, emphasizing the practical use of present tenses in real life.
PRESENT TENSES
The present tenses in English encompass four main aspects, each used to express different types of actions or states occurring in the present time. Below you will find a short summary of each tense.
Present Simple
Used for habitual actions, routines, general truths, and facts. It reflects actions that are regular or unchanging. For example, “She studies every evening.”
Present Continuous
Describes actions happening at the moment of speaking or current temporary situations. It’s also used for future plans or arrangements. For instance, “They are watching a movie now.”
Present Perfect
This tense connects past actions to the present moment, emphasizing the result or consequence of an action that has occurred at an unspecified time before now. For example, “I have finished my homework.”
Present Perfect Continuous
Focuses on the duration of an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. It highlights the continuity of the action. For example, “He has been reading for two hours.”
Here is a presentation with all the tenses and examples. Check it out!
The link below serves as a quick reference guide to the spelling rules for verb transformations in English present tenses. Understanding these rules is crucial for constructing sentences accurately across different contexts and for ensuring grammatical correctness in both written and spoken English.
Learning activities
Interactive Quiz
We will start with a fun and interactive game in Khoot to assess your prior knowledge.
Objectives
-With this activity we are going to determine your existing understanding of the different present tenses.
-Pinpoint frequent errors you can make when using present tenses, focusing on verb conjugation and appropriate tense selection.
-The quiz results is going to prepare you for upcoming lessons on present tenses, ensuring that you have a solid foundation before moving forward.
Instructions:
- Go to the Web on your device (smartphone, tablet, or computer).
- Enter the following link: https://create.kahoot.it/share/present-tenses-review/a34edce3-800c-4477-a6a9-686307df7f44
- Have fun!
“Time-Tense Correction Challenge”
Objectives
You will improve students’ ability to correctly use the four present tenses (Present Simple, Present Continuous, Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous) in context.
You will develop your ability to identify and correct errors in tense usage, enhancing your grammatical accuracy and attention to detail.
Instructions
- You will have 10 minutes to correct as many sentences as possible. Submit their corrected sentences before time runs out.
- If you finish fisrt and all of your sentences are correct, you will receive 20 “Krugs”; 2nd position: 10 Krugs; 3rd place: 5 “Krugs”
- Have fun!
Present Tense Escape Room
Objectives:
With this activity you will solidify understanding of the present simple, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous tenses.
You will use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to decipher clues related to present tenses.
Apply present tense knowledge in simulated real-life scenarios, enhancing practical language use.
Activity Description
You will have to solve some everyday scenarios where present tenses are prominently used. Each puzzle station or digital stage is designed to test your knowledge and application of a specific present tense.
Link for the activity: Present-tenses-factory-escape-game
REVIEW ACTIVITY
The Present Tense Time Capsule
Objectives:
- Grammar Review and Application: Reinforce the understanding and correct usage of present simple, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous tenses through oral practice.
- Enhance Speaking Fluency: Improve your fluency and confidence in speaking by engaging in a creative and interactive activity.
- Promote Listening Skills: Develop active listening skills as you listen to and evaluate your peers’ use of present tenses.
- Encourage Creativity and Imagination: Stimulate your creativity by imagining future scenarios based on current actions or states.
Instructions:
- Introduction (10 minutes):
- You will create “time capsules” using present tense statements about your lives, predicting how current actions/states will influence their future.
- Group Formation and Brainstorming (15 minutes):
- The class will be divided into small groups (3-4 students per group). Each group receives a set of prompts and discusses their answers among themselves, practicing the use of present tenses.
- Time Capsule Creation (20 minutes):
- Prepare a short “time capsule” speech in response to the prompts, utilizing the appropriate present tense for each answer.
- Be creative and imaginative in your responses, considering how your current actions or achievements might shape your future.
- Time Capsule Presentations (30 minutes):
- Present your time capsule speeches to the group or class. After each presentation, group members can ask follow-up questions, prompting further use of present tenses.
- Class Discussion and Reflection (15 minutes)
