# data[].attributes.body
Instructional material for Adolescents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Presente Simple en Inglés / Alejo Lopera

# data[].attributes.headline
Simple present for adolescents with Alejo Lopera

# data[].attributes.subject
Simple present for adolescents with Alejo Lopera

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Presente Simple en Inglés / Alejo Lopera

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
by Susan Verner 25,840 views

Try These 7 Simple Activities for Teaching the Simple Present

1. Daily Routine

Have your students talk to one another about their daily routines. What do they do in the morning? What do they do in the afternoon? Evening? Have them write out a schedule for the day to collect their ideas before talking about them with a classmate.

2. Cultural Norms

Give your students a chance to share some of their culture as your class studies the simple present. Have them finish this sentence: People in my country... This is also a good chance to introduce some adverbs like 'usually', 'typically' or 'often'. You can also practice negative sentences or negative adverbs (never, rarely, infrequently) with this activity.

3. Classmate Interviews

Your students can get to know each other while they practice using the present tense. Have pairs of students ask questions about the hobbies and interests of their partner. Then, have each person introduce their partner to the rest of the class. This is a good time to practice using questions in the present tense.

4. ESP (Extraordinary Sensory Perceptions)

Sensory observations are always stated in the simple present. Have your students observe their surroundings in your classroom or at home. If possible, students should note their surroundings in regards to all five senses: sight, hearing, feel, touch and taste.

5. Where Am I?

Let your students use their imaginations as they practice the simple present. Students picture a place that they would like to visit, and they write five sensory statements as if they were at that place. Then, have your other students guess where their classmate is. They should ask questions following this pattern: Are you ______________? Their questions should also be in the simple present. Now is a good time to review the different uses of at/on/in when used to describe locations.

6. BINGO

Brainstorm a list of get to know you questions with your class. Include questions such as these: Do you like to cook? Do you speak Spanish? Do you drive a car? Write the questions on the board, and give each student a five by five grid. The center square is free; students should randomly put a question in each of the other squares. On your signal, students mingle asking each classmate one question and then moving on to another. If someone answers 'yes' to a question in the grid, he writes his name in the square. The first person with five squares in a row wins.

7. Weekend Party

What do your students do on the weekend? Find out by asking everyone to share his or her favorite weekend activities with the class. If you like, have students write a paragraph about their ideal weekend.

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please help spread it by clicking one of those sharing buttons below. And if you are interested in more, you should follow our Facebook page where we share more about creative, non-boring ways to teach English.

Get the Entire BusyTeacher Library:

Dramatically Improve the Way You Teach

Save hours of lesson preparation time with the Entire BusyTeacher Library. Includes the best of BusyTeacher: all 80 of our PDF e-books. That's 4,036 pages filled with thousands of practical activities and tips that you can start using today. 30-day money back guarantee.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
7 Simple Activities for Teaching the Simple Present

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
by Susan Verner 25,840 views Have your students talk to one another about their daily routines. What do they do in the morning? What do they do in the afternoon? Evening? Have them write out a schedule for the day to collect their ideas before talking about them with a classmate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Curso de Inglés gratuito de nivel intermedio

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What's the movie? is an enjoyable activity which introduces some movie and storytelling vocabulary while practising use of the present simple in talking about film plots and books.

Think of a popular film and write some present simple sentences describing the plot and setting., For example:

It's set on a big ship
It stars Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslett
Kate Winslett plays a bored, rich American girl
It takes place in the early 1900s
It's about a rich girl and a poor boy who fall in love
Unfortunately, the ship sinks and the boy dies
At the end, the girl, who is now an old lady, revisits the scene of the tragedy

Students try to guess the film (not too difficult) and then in pairs or alone write some similar sentences to describe their own choice of movie. The class then tries to guess each other's choices.

This also makes a good homework activity. I usually tell my classes that they can choose any film except for Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman, otherwise at least half the class seem to choose one of these two films.

This entry was posted in adult esl games and tagged no preparation, present simple, writing by Andrew. Bookmark the permalink.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What's the movie? - how to talk about a story - ESL games

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What's the movie? is an enjoyable activity which introduces some movie and storytelling vocabulary while practising use of the present simple in talking about film plots and books. Think of Continue ReadingWhat's the movie? - how to talk about a story→

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Sesame Street Bruno Mars - Don't Give Up [Lyrics] [HD]

# data[].attributes.body
For teenagers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Simple Present song activity - Don't Give Up worksheet - Free ESL printable worksheets made by teachers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
An activity to practice the simple present tense and have some fun using the song

# data[].attributes.body
For adults

# data[].attributes.body
For adults

# data[].attributes.body
Using the Simple Present Chapter 3

# data[].attributes.headline
Simple Present for adolescents/Learn English Teens/ British Council

# data[].attributes.subject
Simple Present for adolescents/Learn English Teens/ British Council

# data[].attributes.body
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos/present-simple

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Daisy is chatting to her brother Oliver, and his best mate Alfie, about her new boyfriend. Daisy and Oliver's mum is working in Thailand this week.

# data[].attributes.body
A clear lesson

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Forming the Present Simple tense in English

# data[].attributes.body
Simple Present tense https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/simple-present-1

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Simple Present Test with Evaluation, Level 1

# data[].attributes.body
Present simple in context

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Monsters, Inc.: Present Continuous x Present Simple

This is a great movie and activity. This activity was published on Sabrina de Vita's blog, a very inspiring and resourceful site. Sabrina kindly sent me this activity to share with my readers and I'm proud to publish it here. The activity is great and so is the movie segment. This great activity will certainly foster your visiting her site. Sabrina is a consciencious educator and she also likes sharing, just like I do. All the activities and text below were developed by her. Here is what she says about herself on her blog.

I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’m an English teacher. I have studied at the teacher training college Joaquin V Gonzalez-At the moment, I’m working in the primary and secondary school: Saint Exupery. With BE the Real Thing we specialised in teaching ESP (Legal and Medical English) and Business English. We also give online classes.

Thanks a lot, Sabrina. Can't wait for more!

I will share with you one lesson plan I have prepared to revise the use of Present Simple and Present Continuous. It is based on this scene from the movie Monsters Inc.

And here go the activities:

1) Complete the sentences with the appropriate tense ( Present Simple and Present Continuous)

a) Every day, Sulley _______________ (drive) to work. However, today they ____________ (walk)

b) Right now, Mike _______________ (talk) to Sulley’s mum on the phone.
c) Afterwards, they often ______________ (watch) tv, but today they __________ (also / star) on a tv commercial.
d) Sulley and Mike _____________ (not exercise) together. Sulley ______ (do) his routine and Mike __________ (guide) him.
e) Then, Sulley always ______________ (brush) his teeth.
f) Sulley usually ____________ (get up) at 6:00 but today he ____________ (still/ sleep) at 6:05.

2) Watch the film and put the sentences in the correct order.

3) Write 5 sentences about what the monsters Sulley and Mike encounter on their way to work are doing at the moment.

4) Did you like the scene? Why (not)?

Hope you like it and find it useful. If you have used it, please share your experience with us. If you have more ideas to work with this particular film or with movies in general, don’t hesitate to share your views.

Sabrina

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MONSTERS INC

The Truman Show: Present Perfect x Present Perfect Progressive

This is another awesome activity provided by Nina Hudd, an amazing teacher who also likes sharing. Thanks, Nina, for such enriching activities. I will be using this one next week!

Nina Hudd has been teaching English for over 14 years in England, Hong Kong and France. She currently runs her own English tuition company for all ages and ability from 2 years old to adult, absolute beginners to advanced.

Video Link at youtube

Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlK5lpB-HZ4

The Truman Show

A. Read and discuss the questions below.

1. Have you ever watched a reality TV show? If yes, which one or ones.

2. What do you think of reality TV? Please explain.

3. Why do you think reality TV is so popular these days?

4. Would you ever go on a reality TV show? Why?

B. Watch the clip and complete the blanks using either present perfect or present perfect

continuous. If either is possible, make a choice and explain your reasoning.

1. They _________ (get) about 5,000 camera in the town.

2. Truman __________ (live) in a fake world since he was a baby.

3. He wonders whether his whole life ________ (building) towards something.

4. Truman ____________ (want) to be an explorer since he was a child.

5. Recently, strange things ______________ (happen).

6. His best friend __________ (know) him since he was seven years old.

7. The producer of the show believes he _______ (give) Truman the chance to live a normal

life.

C. The Truman Show is an extreme example of reality TV, especially since he had no awareness or

choice in the matter. Usually during a reality TV show, the contestants are interviewed as to what

has been happening and what they have been doing.

In pairs, talk about what you have been doing recently. Do not use specific time phrases such as

‘yesterday’ or ‘on Tuesday’ for which you must use the simple past. Instead use general time phrases

such as ‘recently, lately, this week, already, just etc.’

Consider whether you are talking about a result or permanent state (present perfect), or a duration

or temporary state (present perfect continuous). Remember, non-continuous verbs cannot be used in

present perfect continuous. You must use the simple present perfect.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE TRUMAN SHOW

Dear John: Passive Voice with Simple Present, Simple Past and Present Perfect

This is an effective tearjerker which I liked a lot. This scene is full of passive voice structures, perfect for review on passive voice with mixed verb tenses.

A. Read the script of the first scene from the movie Dear John. The paragraph is in the passive voice. either the simple present tense, simple past or the present perfect tenses. Fill in the blanks with the passive voice of the given verbs. Decide which of the two tenses you will use, depending on the context.

Glossary:

punch out: hit someone or something hard and repeatedly

rim: to be round or along the edge of something

bevel: to give something a sloping edge

stamp: to make a mark

mint: to produce something new

1. I’m eight years old again, on a tour of the US Mint, listening to the guide explain how coins ______________ (make). How they _______________ (punch out) of sheet metal. How they ______________ (rim) and ______________ (bevel). How they _________ (stamp)and __________ (clean). And then how each and every coin _________ (personally / examine) just in case one has slipped through with the slightest imperfection.

2. I am a coin in the United States Army. I __________ (mint) in the year 1980. I ____________ (punch out) from sheet metal, I __________ (stamp) and ___________ (clean), my edges _____________ (rim) and _______________ (bevel).

B. Watch the movie segment and check your answers.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - DEAR JOHN

Answer key:

1. are made/ are punched out/ are rimmed and beveled/ are stamped and cleaned/ is personally examined

2. was mint/ have been punched out/ have been stamped and cleaned/ have been rimmed and beveled

A peer of mine said that he had used a slides presentation with links to my passive voice activities. I was sent the link and came across this really cool and thorough class on passive voice. I'm glad Simon Friend used my blog for his video activities. His slides are effective, fun and constructive. Thanks Simon Friend for these really cool slides. Thanks for linking my site to it.

Death Becomes Her: WILL x Simple Present to Talk about Future Events

This film is a classic that talks about beauty, being young forever, and what people can do to look perfect. I used this interesting scene to show students that we may use WILL or the SIMPLE PRESENT to talk about the future.

The  simple present can be used to talk about talk about scheduled future events (things that happen according to a scheduled sequence of events). We also use the simple present tense to talk about events happening in the near future.

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily.  We also use "will" when we request that someone helps us or volunteers to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

I. Complete the following sentences with either the simple present tense or future (will). Sometimes you can use both to express an idea about the future. Then watch the segment and check your answers.

1. Tonight, while she is asleep, you _____________  (sneak) downstairs quietly and take one of each kind of wine glass from the shelter.

2. Then you __________________ (take)  this Narconol and lightly coat each glass.

3. Tomorrow I ___________________ (call) Madeline to say goodbye.

4. I_________________ (get) her to invite me for dinner.

5. You and I _______________ (work) together quickly. First, we _________________ (finish) dinner.

6. Then we _______________ (load)  her into the car and take her to the top of Mulholland Drive, call the police and report we have seen a drunk woman swerving close to the edge.

7. We ________________ (sit) her up in the driver's seat.

8. We ________________ (drop) the car into the gear, wedge her foot down on the accelerator, clamp her hand on the steering wheel, and send her on her way.

II. Talk to a partner:

1. What is your opinion about their plan? What are the chances of its working out?

2. What do you think might go wrong?

3. What would change to make their plan more effective.

4. What should happen to the couple if the police find out about their plan
before
it is put into practice?

5. What about if the police find out about their plan
after
the crime has been committed?

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - DEATH BECOMES HER

Key:

1. Tonight, while she is asleep, you'll sneak downstairs quietly and take one of each kind of wine glass from the shelter.

2. Then you'll take this Narconol and lightly coat each glass.

3. Tomorrow I'll call Madeline to say goodbye.

4. I'll get her to invite me for dinner.

5. You and I work together quickly. First, we finish dinner.

6. Then we load her into the car and take her to the top of Mulholland Drive, call the police and report we have seen a drunk woman swerving close to the edge.

7. We'll sit her up in the driver's seat.

8. We drop the car into the gear, wedge her foot down on the accelerator, clamp her hand on the steering wheel, and send her on her way.

Bee Movie: Simple Present

I simply love this animated movie. Bee Movie is really special, funny and carries a great message for everyone. I use one of the scenes to practice the simple present tense.

Adam

Martin Benson (Dad) and Janet Benson (Mom)

Barry

Check the characters who perform the following activities. Write (B) if it is Barry, (A) if it is Adam, (D) if it is Dad, and (M) if it is Mom.

( B ) wear only black and yellow clothes
( ) comb the hair in the morning
( ) spray honey deodorant every day
( ) serve breakfast
( ) use antennas to communicate
( ) sharpen the stinger
( ) read the newspaper during breakfast
( ) read the newspaper in the street
( ) like flying around the house
( ) drive a red car very fast in the city
( ) pick up a friend to go to school
( ) park the car perfectly

I. Write down sentences saying what the Bensons and Adam do everyday.

Ex: 1 - Barry wears only black and yellow clothes.
2 - __________________________________
3 - __________________________________

II . Write down 3 things The Bensons or Adam don’t do in the morning.

Ex: 1 – Adam doesn’t have breakfast with the Bensons.
2 – ______________________________________
3 - ______________________________________

How to prepare your own video activity:
Grammar Goal: Simple Present Tense - Affirmative and Negative Statements
• Select a scene in which the characters’ routines are evident
• Identify the characters in the segment
• List some of the activities the characters perform in the segment
• Students write the name of the characters who perform such activities
• Students write complete sentences, using the simple present tense

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - BEE MOVIE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guvfkbnOGoA&feature=youtu.be

Burlesque: Simple Past x Present Perfect

I love Cher and this movie. Tho movie has great dancing and musicals. It is worth seeing, for sure. The opening scene is wonderful to contrast the use of the simple past and present perfect tenses.

I. Watch the movie segment and decide if the activities refer to to her past - finished actions - (PA) or if they are still in progress in her present days unfinished actions - (PR).

1. ( ) Practice on the bar stage

2. ( ) Pack her bags

3. ( ) walk away from her hometown

4. ( ) buy a one-way ticket to Los Angeles

5. ( ) travel by bus to LA

6. ( ) look for auditions in LA

7. ( ) stay in a small hotel room

8. ( ) have a hard time with the auditions

9. ( ) be happier in LA than in her hometown

II. Rewrite the sentences below in either the simple past or present perfect tenses. Mind whether the actions are finished or unfinished to justify your choices.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - BURLESQUE

Answer key: ITEMS 1 - 5 - PAST
ITEMS  6 - 9  - PRESENT

II.

When she lived in her hometown,

1. She practiced in a bar stage
2. She packed her bags
3. She walked away from her hometown
4. She bought a one-way ticket to LA
5. She traveled to LA by bus

Now that she is in Los Angeles,

6. She has looked (has been looking) for auditions in LA
7. She has stayed in a small hotel in LA
8. She has had (has been having) a hard time with the auditions
9. She has been happier in LA than in her hometown

Into the Blue: Have You Ever...? - Present Perfect x Simple Past

This movie is full of action and adventure. Teens love it. The setting is the gorgeous Bahamas sea. The scene is exciting and full of activities that most people have never performed. It is great for the students to practice questions with Have you ever...? and contrast the use of the simple past and present perfect tenses. It is perfect for practicing Yet/Already, too.

A. Watch the video segment and check all the activities you can see .

( ) jet ski
( ) travel to the Bahamas
( ) swim in the sea
( ) dive among the sharks
( ) be inside a cave
( ) ride a speedboat
( ) kiss someone in the ocean
( ) go snorkeling
( ) see a live shark
( ) be inside a grotto
( ) lose something in the sea
( ) find something valuable on the beach

B. Ask a few partners the following questions. Use the activities on the left. Follow the pattern:

Ex:

S1 - Have you ever … (jet skied)?

S2 - No I haven’t. / Yes, I have.

S1 - Would you like to jet ski? / When did you jet ski?

S2 - Yes, I would. / I jet skied last summer.

B. Write 8 sentences about the information presented in exercise A , using the words in parentheses. You may use different sentences as well.

(never) …………………………………………………………………………………….
(never) …………………………………………………………………………………….
(already) ………………………………………………………………………………….
(already) ………………………………………………………………………………….
(yet) ……………………………………………………………………………………….
(yet) ……………………………………………………………………………………….
(last year)………………………………………………………………………………..
(when I was a child) ……………………………………………………………………..

C. Talk to a partner. Come up with a list of 5 things that both of you have never done but intend to do before you die.

1...............................................................................................................
2..............................................................................................................
3..............................................................................................................
4..............................................................................................................
5. ...........................................................................................................

D. Choose a different partner and ask him/her if he/she has ever done what you and your previous partner intend to do in the future. Use the patterns in exercise A.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - INTO THE BLUE

How to prepare your own video activity:
- Select a scene in which the characters perform unusual activities or tasks
- Prepare a list with these tasks
- Have students ask each other questions with Have you ever....?
- Have them rewrite the sentences with yet, never, already and with a definite time in the past so they can use either the present perfect tense or the simple past.
- Students prepare a list of things they have never done in their lives, but intend to do in the future.
- They interview a different partner, using the target language.

Mary and Max: Present Perfect x Simple Past

This is a marvelous Australian animated movie for adults. A bit sad, though. It is about two very unlikely pen pals. There are several scenes for grammar practice. This one is perfect to contrast the use of the simple past and the present perfect tenses.

A. Read the sentences taken from a letter Max is writing Mary and try to guess whether you should complete the blanks with the simple past or the present perfect tenses of the given verbs.

1. I ____________ (choose) the same numbers for nine years. 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12.

2. I _____________ (have) many different jobs during my life.

3. My first job ______ (be) collecting subway tokens in the subway.

4. I __________ (work) at the frisbee printing machine in my third job.

5. In my fourth job, I _____________ (get - neg) paid much but ________ (get) free cookies and coffee.

6. _____________ (you - ever - be) hang gliding?

7. _____________ (you - ever - be) a communist?

8. _____________ (you - ever - be) attacked by a crow or a similar large bird. When I __________ (be) nine, a crow _________ (attack) me on my way to school.

9. I _________________ (teach) myself to read two pages at once.

10. I have to go now. I __________ (tell - neg) you about my 7th job, in a condom factory.

11. I _______________ (eat - never) sweetened condensed milk.

12. I ________________ ( use - never) a condom.

B. Watch the movie segment and check your answers.

C. Work in pairs.

1. Have you ever had a pen pal? Why (not)?

2. Is it a good idea to have pen pals? Explain it.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having pen pals?

4. Do pen pals have to like the same things? Why (not)?

5. Are pen pals real friends? Or it just a fantasy?

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MARY & MAX

Answer key:

A.

1. have chosen 2. have had 3. was 4. worked 5. didn't get / got 6. have you ever been 7. have you ever been 8. have you ever been / was / attacked 9. have taught 10. haven't told 11. have never eaten 12. have never used

Tangled & Rio: Simple Present

Both movies are wonderful. Both have scenes that show daily acitities, so I prepared this fun activity to make students practice the simple present tense in a challenging and exciting manner.

I. Watch the segments below only once. Then work in groups and decide who performs the following activities every morning. Write R if it is Rapunzel (Tangled) or L if it is Linda (Rio).

( ) Sweep the floor at 7 a.m

( ) Read a book

( ) Paint

( ) Play the guitar

( ) Wake up at 7:15 am

( ) Brush her teeth

( ) Have breakfast

( ) Knit

( ) Bake a pie

( ) Solve a puzzle

( ) Play chess

( ) Feed her pet

( ) Open the store

( ) Make candles

( ) Brush her hair

Tangled:

Rio:

II. Now rewrite the sentences above in the simple present tense:

Ex: Rapunzel sweeps the floor at 7:00 am.

1. .................................................................................

2. ................................................................................

3. ................................................................................

III. Now write down two sentences that Rapunzel doesn't do in the morning and two sentences about what Linda does not do in her typical morning.

Ex: Rapunzel does not swim.

1. ................................................................................

2. ...............................................................................

3. ..............................................................................

4. ...............................................................................

III. Divide the class into pairs. Give Student 1a list with Rapunzel's activities. Give the other student a list with Linda's activities. Each student mimes their main character's activities and his/her partner has to say the correct sentences.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - TANGLED

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RIO

Answer key:

R - Rapunzel - Tangled

She sweeps the floor at 7 a.m.
She reads a book.
She paints
She plays the guitar
She knits
She bakes a pie
She solves a puzzle
She plays chess
She makes candles
She brushes her hair
She sings

L - Linda -Rio

She wakes up at 7:15 am
She brushes her teeth
She has breakfast
She feeds her pet
She opens the store

The Game Plan: Simple Present

This segment is the beginning of the movie and you can assess the simple present tense in a contextualized manner. The movie is great and very easy for beginners.

Think about a typical morning of yours. Check all the activities that are true for you after you wake up in the morning. After that, ask your partner questions about him/her and check the ones which are true for him/her.

( )You ( ) Your friend ( ) Kingman                         wear slippers

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                       turn on the TV

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                       have vegetables for breakfast

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                        make fruit juice

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                       read the newspaper

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                       work out

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                       wear a uniform

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                       put on some makeup

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                      wear a helmet

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                      play with the dog

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                     play sports

( ) You ( ) Your Friend ( ) Kingman                      listen to music

Now watch the movie segment and check the ones which are true for Kingman.

Finally, write sentences about Kingman, saying what he does and what he doesn't do in the morning.

Ex: Kingman wears slippers.

Kingman doesn't listen to music.

How to prepare your own video activity:

Select a scene in which the characters’ routines are evident

Choose and prepare a list with a few of the activities the characters perform

Ask the students to check the items whose activities they perform

Students ask a partner questions about the same activities

Students watch the segment and now check what the characters in the movie perform

Students write sentences about the characters in the movie, using the simple present tense

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE GAME PLAN

The Uninvited: Narratives - Simple Present

This film and scene are a bit scary. Make sure your audience is ready for this kind of material. It is great, though, and very easy to understand. The students can easily perform the assigned tasks and practice writing a narrative, using the simple present tense.

I. Work in pairs:

1. Do you dream every night?

2. Do you remember your dreams?

3. Which kind of dream do you remember with more details? Dreams or nightmares?

4. Do nightmares have meanings?

II. Complete the paragraph with the verbs provided below. You may repeat the verbs. This paragraph is a teenager's description of a nightmare she had in the previous night.

BE - WANT - HEAR - GO - RUN - FEEL (neg)

I _____ at a party, but all I _________ to do is get home. And then I _____ my mother's bell. I ________ to find her. She __________ alone. She ________ not supposed to be alone. I ______ up to the house to find my dad. There _____ something wrong. It ______ safe. There ______ something evil in the house.

III. Now watch the segment and check your answers.

(Segment without subtitles)

IV. Now write a short paragraph narrating a nightmare or a dream of yours. Use the simple present tense to describe it.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE UNINVITED

Answer key: am, want, hear, go, is, is, run, is, doesn't feel, is.

Up in the Air: Simple Present x Simple Past

This movie is really nice and the scene is perfect to contrast the uses of the simple present and simple past tenses.

I. Work in small groups. Make a list of activities you do every time you travel by pla ne. Think about what you do during the day until the plane takes off. Make sure you mention the steps you take at home and at the airport too.

Ex:

I make my bags.
I shave.

II. Watch the movie segment and check which of the activities you listed in Exercise I George Clooney's character did that day.

III. Now write 5 sentences saying what he did in the segment that you did not list in exercise II.

Ex: He took off his shoes at the airport.

IV. Now write sentences saying 5 things from your list that he didn't do before traveling.

Ex: He didn't shave.

PLAY THE SEGMENT TWICE.

WORKSHEET

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - UP IN THE AIR

Yes Man: Short Answers

This is a great scene because it shows how motivational seminars can be ridiculous. I chose this scene to practice a very simple grammar point - providing short answers. In this case, with the simple present and simple past tenses, can and there to be. Basic learners might not understand everything said in the segment, but I'm sure they will manage to answer all the proposed questions.

Watch the movie segment and ask a friend the following questions. Take turns asking the questions. Answer them with short answers:

1) Do all participants have a red bag?

........................................

2) Is Carl excited about the seminar?

........................................

3) Is Terrence the presenter?

.......................................

4) Does the word YES control the external side of people, according to Terrence?

.......................................

5) Did Terrence invite YES into the participants' lives?

.......................................

6) Did Carl believe the YES story in the beginning of the scene?

.......................................

7) Is there anyone new to the seminar?

.....................................

8) Can people say the word NO in the seminar?

.....................................

9) Can people say YES in the seminar?

....................................

10) Does Carl say NO to life?

...................................

11) Is Carl comfortable during the scene?

..................................

12) Does Carl have a girlfriend?

..................................

13) Did Carl lose the love of his life?

..................................

14) Did Carl accept the challenge?

..................................

15) Are the participants happy about Carl's final decision?

................................

16) Do you believe in Terrence's ideas?

...............................

B. Write down 3 questions about the segment and ask them to a partner. Make sure you write yes/no questions.

1 ................................................... ?
2 ................................................... ?
3 ................................................... ?

Answer Key:

-->

A.

1. Yes, they do.
2. No, he isn't.
3. Yes, he is.
4. Yes, it does.
5. Yes, he did.
6. No he didn't.
7. Yes, there is.
8. No, they can't.
9. Yes, they can.
10. Yes, he does.
11. No, he isn't.
12. No, he doesn't.
13. Yes, he did.
14. Yes, he did.
15. Yes, they are.
16. Answers will vary.

How to develop your own video segment.

- Choose an attractive scene in which several things can be observed.
- Prepare some yes/no questions about the segment.
- Have students take turns asking each other the questions.
- Ask students to write down 4 different yes/no questions about the segment.
- Students ask and answer each other questions.

WORKSHEET

The Adventures of Tin Tin: Developing Different Grammar Points Exercises with the Same Movie Segment

This post will show you how you can develop several activities - 10 to be precise -  for different grammar points, using the same movie segment. If you choose a segment that shows a series of events, it is much easier, Here are several activities based o the same segment of The Adventures of Tin Tin.

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Present Perfect

I.

Watch the movie segment. Pay attention to the activities the characters have performed during that day. Remember, the day is not over yet. Write T if Tin Tin performed the activity, C if The Captain  did it, and  S if Snowy performed it.

1.

( ) Read the plane manual

4.

( ) Go out of the plane

5.

( ) Be hit by lightning

6.

( ) parachute from the airplane

7.

( ) Have the hair cut by the propeller

II.

What has happened to Tin Tin, the Captain and Snowy today? Rewrite the items above, using the present perfect tense.  You may write negative statements too.

EX: Tin Tin has read the plane manual.

1.

____________________________________________

2.

____________________________________________

3.

____________________________________________

4.

____________________________________________

5.

____________________________________________

6.

____________________________________________

7.

____________________________________________

III.

Make a list of 6 things that you have done today.

EX: I have brushed my teeth.

1.

____________________________________________

2.

____________________________________________

3.

____________________________________________

4.

____________________________________________

5.

____________________________________________

6.

____________________________________________

IV.

Share your list with a partner and check what both of you have done so until this moment.

Answer key:

1.

T        2.  T       3. S and C      4. C       5. C      6. C       7. T

The Adventures of Tin Tin

CAN

I.

Watch the movie segment and write who can perform the following actions, according to the segment. Write T if Tin Tin performed the activity, C if The Captain  did it,  P if the prisoners performed it, and NO if none of them performed the activity.

3.

( ) Fix the plane during a flight

4.

( ) Land a plane easily

II.

Rewrite the sentences below, saying what the characters can or can’t do. You may add – Very well  or BUT not very well.

EX: Tin Tin can fly a plane, but not very well.

III.

Make a list of three  things that you can do very well, three things that you can do, but not very well, and three things that you can’t do.

EX:

I can do very well

I can do, but not very well

I can’t do

I can sing very well.

I can swim, but not very well.

I can’t speak German.

Answer Key:

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Passive Voice

I.

Watch the movie segment and check the alternatives with the actions that you managed to see during the scene.

1.

( ) Tin Tin flew the plane

2.

( ) The Captain and Snowy drank alcohol during the flight

3.

( ) The plane took the passengers into a thunderstorm.

4.

( ) Tin Tin landed the plane easily.

5.

( ) Snowy and The Captain helped Tin Tin.

6.

( ) The propeller trimmed Tin Tin’s hair.

7.

( ) The fall killed the Captain.

II. Now rewrite the sentences above in the passive voice. Make sure you write affirmative or negative sentences according to the information presented in the segment.

EX:    1. The  plane was flown by Tin Tin.

1.

____________________________________________

2.

____________________________________________

3.

____________________________________________

4.

____________________________________________

5.

____________________________________________

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Simple Past x Past Perfect

I.

Watch the movie segment and decide which action took place first. Write 1 for the first activity and 2 for the second activity.

1.

(    ) Tin Tin read the manual.

(    ) Tin Tin started the engine.

2.

(     ) The Captain saw the thunderstorm.

(     ) They flew over a ship.

3.

(    ) The Captain and Snowy drank all the alcohol.

(    ) They ran out of gas.

4.

(    ) The plane crashed on the desert.

(    ) The prisoners parachuted from the plane.

5.

(    ) Snowy tried to save Tin Tin.

(    ) The propeller stopped working.

II.

Now complete the blanks with either the simple past or the past perfect tenses, according to the movie segment.

1.

Tin Tin _____________ (read) the manual when he ____________ (start) the plane.

2.

The Captain ____________ (see) the thunderstorm after they ____________ (fly) over a ship.

3.

The Captain and Snowy ______________ (drink) all the alcohol when they __________ (run) out of gas.

4.

When the plane ______________ (crashed) on the desert, the ___________________ (parachute) from the plane.

5.

Tin Tin  _____________(try) to help Tin Tin when the propeller ____________ (stop) working.

Answer Key:

1.

Tin Tin had read (read) the manual when he started (start) the plane.

2.

The Captain saw (see) the thunderstorm after they had flown (fly) over a ship.

3.

The Captain and Snowy had drunk (drink) all the alcohol when they ran (run) out of gas.

4.

When the plane crashed (crashed) on the desert, the prisoners had (already) parachuted (parachute) from the plane.

5.

Tin Tin  had tried (try) to help Tin Tin when the propeller stopped (stop) working.

The Adventures of Tin Tin

3rd conditional

I.

Watch the movie segment and decide if the statements below are True or False.

1.

( ) Tin Tin didn’t know how to fly a plane

( ) He had to read the manual to learn how to fly.

2.

( ) The Captain and Snowy drank all the alcohol from the bottle.

( ) They didn’t have any alcohol to fill in the fuel tank.

3.

( ) The plane went straight into the thunderstorm

( ) The plane fell.

4.

( ) Snowy and the Captain tried to save Tin Tin.

( ) Tin Tin didn’t die.

II.

Now complete the blanks with the conditional forms of the given verbs, according to the information presented in the segment.

1.

If Tin Tin ____________ (know) how to fly a plane, he ___________ (have) to read the manual to fly it.

2.

If the Captain and Snowy _____________ (drink) all the alcohol from the bottle, they _______________ ( have) enough  fuel to fill in the tank.

3.

If the plane ______________ (go) straight into the thunderstorm, it  ______________________  (fall).

4.

If Snowy and the Captain _______________ (try) to save Tin Tin, ______________________.

Answer Key:

1.

If Tin Tin had known (know) how to fly a plane, he wouldn’t have had (have) to read the manual to fly it.

2.

If the Captain and Snowy hadn’t drunk (drink) all the alcohol from the bottle, they would have had (have) enough fuel to fill in the tank.

3.

If the plane hadn’t gone (go) straight into the thunderstorm, it  wouldn’t (mightn’t) have fallen (fall).

4.

If Snowy and the Captain hadn’t tried (try) to save Tin Tin, he would (might) have died.

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Comparatives / Superlatives

I.

Complete the chart with the adjectives in the chart that best describe each character.

YOUNG  - INTELLIGENT – FUNNY -  COURAGEOUS – THIN – CONFIDENT – HEAVY - SKILLED

TIN TIN

SNOWY

CAPTAIN

Ex: FUNNY

II.

Now write 3 sentences comparing the characters above:

Ex: Tin Tin is thinner than the Captain

1.

_______________________________________________

2.

_______________________________________________

3.

_______________________________________________

III.

Now compare one of the characters with the other ones.

EX: Tin Tin is the most intelligent character in the segment.

1.

________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Past Modals for Regrets

I.

Watch the movie segment. Check the statements that you think were bad ideas.

1.

( ) Tin Tin flew a plane without receiving instructions.

2.

( ) Tin Tin  flew into a severe thunderstorm.

3.

( ) Tin Tin didn’t check whether there was enough fuel to fly a plane.

4.

( ) The Captain drank all the alcohol from the bottle.

5.

( ) Snowy was not wearing a seat belt.

II.

Now write sentences expressing regrets, using the information above:

Ex: Tin Tin shouldn’t have flown a plane without having received any instructions.

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________________

III.

Work in pairs. One student is the Captain and the other one is Tin Tin. Try to convince your partner about everything that he did that shouldn’t have been done.  Imagine you are having the conversation right after the accident.

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Modals for Speculation (Present and Past)

I.

Watch the movie segment. Talk to a partner and decide if the statements below are True or False.

1.

( ) Tin Tin has flown other planes before.

2.

( ) Snowy likes adventures

3.

( ) The Captain is a trustworthy professional.

4.

( ) Tin Tin is a brave guy.

5.

( ) The prisoners died in the accident

6.

( )  The Captain is an alcoholic.

II.

Now rewrite the sentences above, using modals for speculation. Decide which modal you will choose to make the odds plausible.

Ex:

1.  Tin Tin might have flown other planes before. OR Tin Tin can’t have flown other planes before.

2. Snowy must (might) like adventures.

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Simple Past x Past Continuous

I.

Watch the movie segment and complete the blanks with the simple past or past continuous form of the given verbs.

1.

Tin Tin ___________________ (read) the manual when he ___________ (start) the engine.

2.

They ____________________ (fly) over a ship when the Captain __________ (see) a severe thunderstorm in front of them.

3.

The prisoners _________________ (parachute) from the plane when it _____________ (fall).

4.

Snowy _________________________ (try ) to save Tin Tin when the Captain ____________ (land) on the plane propeller.

5.

The propeller ___________ (cut) Tin Tin’s hair when the Captain ______________ (save) him.

II.

Watch the segment again and check your answers

Answer Key:

3.

Parachuted / was falling

5.

Was cutting / saved

The Adventures of Tin Tin

Asking Questions

I.

Before watching the segment, make guesses about the segment you are about to watch.

1.

There were __________ people on the plane.

2.

Tin Tin’s sweater  is _______________.

3.

The Captain drank ________________.

4.

They fell _______________________.

5.

______________ saved Tin Tin.

II.

Now check your answers by watching the segment. Then write wh-questions to the answers you chose in exercise I

Ex:

1.

How many people were there on the plane?

There were four  people on the plane.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Movie Segments to Assess Grammar Goals contains a series of movie segments and activities to assess or practice grammar points through fun, challenging exercises. Here you will find the movie segments, the lesson plans, printable worksheets with answer key for each activity, and the tips to develop your own grammar activities with the DVDs you have at home.

# data[].attributes.body
Mr. Bean

# data[].attributes.body
Practice Simple Present

# data[].attributes.body
Present Simple Rap

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Learn and Speak English Present Tense Grammar Vocabulary Rap Song with Fluency MC