Present Simple Lesson Plan for Adult English Learners

Teaching the present simple tense is one of the first, and most important tasks when teaching beginners. Its a good idea to teach the present simple of the verb to be to begin with, and introduce simple adjectives to help students expand their understanding of the verb to be. After English learners are comfortable with the present and past forms of the verb to be, teaching the present simple and past simple will be much easier. 5 Steps for Introducing the Present Simple Start by Modeling the Present Simple Most English learners are false beginners. In other words, they have already studied English at some point. Begin teaching the present ​simply by stating some of your routines: I get up at six-thirty in the morning.I teach at the Portland English School.I have lunch at one oclock. Students will recognize most of these verbs. Model some questions for the students as well. At this point, its a good idea to ask yourself a question and provide the answer. When do you have dinner? - I have dinner at six oclock.When do you come to school? - I come to school at two oclock.Where do you live? - I live in Portland. Continue by asking students the same questions. Students will be able to follow your lead and answer appropriately. Introduce the Third Person Singular Once the students are comfortable speaking about their own basic daily activities, introduce the third person singular for he and she which will prove the most difficult for students. Again, model the present simple third person ending in s for the students. When does Mary have dinner? - She has dinner at six oclock.When does John come to school? - He comes to school at two oclock.Where does she live? - He lives in Portland. Ask each student a question and ask another for a reply, creating a chain of questions and answers changing from you to he and she. This will help students memorize this crucial difference. Where do you live? - (Student) I live in Portland.Where does he live? - (Student) He lives in Portland. Introduce the Negative Introduce the negative form of the present simple in the same manner as above. Remember to continually model the form to the students and immediately encourage a similar answer. Does Anne live in Seattle? - No, she doesnt live in Seattle. She lives in Portland.Do you study French? - No, you dont study French. You study English. Introduce Questions Up to this point, students have been answering questions so they should be familiar with the form. Make sure to point out the difference between yes/no questions and information questions. Start with yes/no questions encouraging students to answer in the short form. Do you work every day? - Yes, I do./No, I dont.Do they live in Portland? - Yes, they do./No, they dont.Does she study English? - Yes, she does/No, she doesnt. Once students are comfortable with short yes/no questions, move on to information questions. Make sure to vary the subjects up to help students become familiar with the tendency to drop the s.   Where do you live? - I live in Seattle.When do you get up in the morning? - I get up at seven oclock.Where does she go to school? - She goes to school at the University of Washington. Discuss Important Time Words Once students become comfortable with the present simple, introduce important time words such as everyday and adverbs of frequency (usually, sometimes, rarely, etc.). Contrast these with common time words used in the present continuous such as now, at the moment, etc.   She usually takes the bus to work. Today, she is driving.My friend sometimes goes out for dinner. At the moment, hes cooking dinner at home.Jennifer rarely talks to strangers. Right now, shes talking to a friend. 3 Strategies for Practicing the Present Simple Explaining the Present Simple on the Board Students will now recognize the present simple tense and be able to respond to simple questions. Its time to introduce the grammar. Use a present simple tense timeline on the board to stress the fact that this tense is used to express routines. I also like to use simple charts showing the underlying structure of this tense. Comprehension Activities Once you have introduced the tense and used the whiteboard to explain forms, continue teaching the present simple tense through activities which use the present simple in context.   Continued Activity Practice Students have learned to recognize the present simple, as well as understand the form in comprehension activities. Its time to continue by having students use the present simple to describe their own lives in both spoken and written form. This detailed lesson on daily routines will help you continue the practice. Expected Problems Here are the most common challenges for students when using the present simple: Confusing with the present continuous for actions occurring at the moment of speaking.Use of s in the third person.Auxiliary verb usage in the question and negative form, but NOT in the positive form.Placement of adverbs of frequency.