Using the present simple
Overview
In this lesson, the focus is on reviewing the functional uses of the present simple tense. By the end of the session, students will have a deeper understanding of how to use the present simple in a variety of contexts.
The lesson plan structure includes a suggested boardwork example that shows one way to teach the lesson's target language. In addition, there are several low-resource ESL classroom activities that will engage students in different grammar and collaborative writing tasks. The lesson also includes an idea for a game, which will allow students to practice in a fun and interactive way.
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Lesson Outline
Classroom activities
Use of the board
The students review the functional uses of the present simple tense.
Students at this level should have an understanding of the grammar, so try to focus this lesson on its functional applications and elicit simple examples that demonstrate each.
Simple definitions
The students have to use the target language to make definitions.
Q & A practice
For this two-part activity, the students first create questions from a list of prompts on the board, before using them to interview a partner.
Buddy ol' Pal
A writing activity where the students use the present simple to write a paragraph about their best friend.
Give me more
For this writing activity, the students will use some basic linking constructions to compare and contrast the seasons.
Classroom games
Hot seat: Present simple
Students will have to describe sentences that contain the target language to the player in the hot seat.
More elementary ESL lesson plans
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750+ Low-prep classroom activity ideas
1100+ Printable ESL flashcards
160+ ESL lesson plans
8 Distinct language levels
Offline access through the TEFLHandbook app
Reduce your planning time and improve the way you present and teach English grammar.
Access the entire TEFLHandbook library
Significantly reduce your planning time and improve the way you present and teach English grammar.
Access the entire TEFLHandbook library
Significantly reduce your planning time and improve the way you present and teach English grammar.