B2 Grammar

FIRST

2C Past tenses — A time when …

Aim Adaptation and extension
to practise using past tenses, used to and would to talk • If the class cannot be split equally into groups of three, in
about the past a group of four two students can be assigned Student B's
tasks, thinking of one follow-up question each.
Activity type • To encourage use of less common verb forms you could
a speaking activity where students use as many different add a points system, e.g. 1 point for using the past simple,
narrative tenses as possible to gain points 2 points for using the past continuous or used to, 3 points
for using the past perfect, 4 points for using would and 5
points for using the past perfect continuous. For stronger
Classroom dynamics
groups, points could also be deducted for errors.
groups of three
• To make the activity more challenging, you could have two
competing individuals or pairs and use the Topic grid for
Time taken a noughts and crosses game. To be able to place a nought
15—20 minutes or cross on the grid on the square of their chosen talk,
students must continue speaking for one minute without
Preparation repetition. The student or pair that is able to place three
noughts or crosses in a row wins the game.
You will need one copy of the activity sheet for each student.

Procedure B2
FIRST Grammar
1 Divide the students into groups of three and give each
group a copy of the activity sheet. 2C Past tenses — A time when …
2 Tell students that they are going to give a talk for one Topic grid
minute in their groups about a topic from the Topic grid.
Allow students one minute to read the topics and choose
a time when you forgot to
one to talk about. Each student in a group should choose a time when you couldn’t a time when a holiday, trip
take something important
stop laughing or event was cancelled
a different topic. on a trip or holiday

3 Explain that to prepare their talk, students should

make some notes in their notebooks. To help students
a time when you saw or
generate ideas, write the question words When, Who, met someone you knew in an experience that was lots a bad habit that you
a place you didn’t expect to of fun managed to get rid of
Where, What, How, Why on the board. Students should see anyone you knew

also consider the correct past tenses they need to use

when giving their talk. If you think it necessary, elicit from
students the past tenses from the unit and write them on a childhood habit or
a time when you used
English (or another your worst holiday
something you did very
the board for reference. Allow two minutes’ preparation often as a child
language) while on a trip
or holiday
experience

time.
4 When students have finished their planning, Student A
gives their one-minute talk. Student B acts as timekeeper Past tenses table
and should write two follow-up questions to ask Student student A student B student C

A at the end of the talk. Student C monitors the talk and past simple

notes down in the Past tenses table each time Student A past continuous

uses a past tense correctly. past perfect

5 At the end of the talk, the students switch roles. When past perfect continuous

each student has given their one-minute talk, the ticks used to

in the table should be counted and the student with the would

most points is the winner. The winner can then choose total points

their next speaking topic from the grid. The activity can
PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2020 9
continue until all three students have spoken three times
or as time permits.