| LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this lesson are to:
- discuss conversations people have when they first meet;
- engage in sharing experiences using Present Perfect and Past Simple;
- watch a video about the first conversation between people.
In this lesson, students reflect upon the topics people talk about when they first meet. They watch a video about people who have just met, revise the use of Present Perfect and Past Simple and discuss how to start and end a conversation. Students also do a role play in which they have a first conversation with their partner in different situations.
B1 / Intermediate60 minStandard LessonUnlimited Plan
VIDEO AND GRAMMAR
The lesson begins with a warm-up. Students look at a list of topics and say which ones (e.g. name, the weather, age, etc.) they usually talk about when they meet someone for the first time. Then, they add more topics they would discuss and two others they wouldn’t. After that, students watch a video about people who have just met and tick the topic they don’t mention. Next, they discuss their opinions on the conversation between the man and the boy from the video. Afterwards, students look at statements, imagine they are part of the first conversation and put them in the correct order. Following that, they look at the dialogue again and find examples of Present Perfect and Past Simple. Then, students discuss questions about the use of both tenses. After that, they practise sharing experiences using Present Perfect and Past Simple and complete dialogues with the correct form of verbs. Subsequently, in pairs, students ask each other the questions from the previous exercise (e.g. Have you ever had an interesting conversation with a kid?).
GRAMMAR PRACTISE AND ROLE PLAY
At this point in the lesson, students continue sharing experiences using Present Perfect and Past Simple and imagine they meet someone for the first time. They write general questions starting with “Have you…?” about different topics (e.g. travelling, films, sports, etc.). After that, they read questions (e.g. Have you started any new hobbies recently?) and imagine their answer is “Yes, I have”. Students ask more questions about specific details in each case. Then, they read statements (e.g. Do you come here often?) and say which ones can be used to start a conversation and which can be used to end it. Students also say in what situations they could be used. Afterwards, they do a role play activity in which they have a first conversation in various situations (at a wedding, at a park, on the plane). Students get a card, read it and prepare to have a conversation with their partner.
HOMEWORK/REVISION
This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students complete conversation starters with the correct form of verbs and continue each conversation with more lines. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.
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This is a very practical lesson for students who often get confused about how to use the Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses together. The topic is incredibly valuable! My students and I love the lesson video—there’s nothing quite like an engaging visual aid!
Hi Joanna! Thanks for taking the time to comment! We’re thrilled you find the lesson and the video engaging. We hope now your students feel more comfortable with using the tenses 🙂
I just paid but it doesnt let me use it! =(
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