Let’s assume that the students are comfortable with the present tense. At that point they are ready to  talk about what has happened in the past. Using and understanding the PAST TENSE can be made easier for the students if it is introduced in a step by step manner.

How can the teaching of the past tense be divided into readily understood steps?

Verb Tenses Activity

Here is a simple dialog for beginners. Students can do in small groups or with partners. Be sure and change roles and partners often!

JANE: Hi, Harry. How are you?
HARRY:Hi, Jane. I’m not so good.
This is a bad week.
How are you doing?
JANE: Just great! Are you sick?
HARRY: Yes, I’m at home from school today.
JANE: You can have my notebook.
HARRY: Thanks Jane.

Divide into small groups and ask each other these questions. Check the box for your answers.

1.   Is Jane a girl?

2.   Is Harry a girl?

3.   How is Harry?

4.   Who is at home from school?

5.   What does Jane give to Harry?

6.   What does Harry say?

Whole Class Activity

Move around the classroom asking and answering these questions.
Check the box for possible answers.

How are you?

How are you doing?

How are things going?

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  Business Sprachcenter Kassel GmbH is seeking several English teachers working part-time or full-time for our centre in Kassel.
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  National Taiwan Ocean University. Applicants who holds at least MA or above degree is required. Work availability is on August 1st, 2008.

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