Explaining the Present Simple Tense

Explaining the Present Simple Tense

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the present simple tense.

Introduce the learning objective to the students and explain what they will be able to do after the lesson.

What do you already know about the present simple tense?

Definition

The present simple tense is used to describe actions that are habitual or things that are always true.

Define the present simple tense for the students.

Form

The present simple tense is formed by using the base form of the verb.

Explain how to form the present simple tense for regular verbs.

Third Person

In the third person singular, an -s is added to the base form of the verb.

Explain how to form the present simple tense for third person singular verbs.

Examples

I walk to school every day. She eats breakfast at 7am. They study English on Mondays.

Give examples of the present simple tense to the students.

Negative Form

To make a negative sentence, add 'do not' or 'does not' before the base form of the verb.

Explain how to form negative sentences in the present simple tense.

Negative Examples

I do not like coffee. She does not play basketball. They do not watch TV in the morning.

Give examples of negative sentences in the present simple tense to the students.

Interrogative Form

To make a question, invert the subject and the verb.

Explain how to form questions in the present simple tense.

Interrogative Examples

Do you like pizza? Does he speak French? Do they play video games?

Give examples of questions in the present simple tense to the students.

Spelling

When the verb ends in -s, -x, -sh, -ch or -o, add -es to the base form of the verb in the third person singular.

Explain the spelling rules for forming the third person singular in the present simple tense.

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs have irregular forms in the present simple tense, such as 'have' and 'be'.

Introduce the concept of irregular verbs to the students and give examples of irregular verbs in the present simple tense.

Practice Exercise

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in the present simple tense: 1. He ________ basketball every Saturday. 2. They ________ to school by bus. 3. I ________ coffee in the morning.

Have the students complete the practice exercise to reinforce their understanding of the present simple tense.

Answer Key

1. plays 2. go 3. drink

Provide the answer key to the practice exercise for the students to check their work.

Common Errors

Common errors in the present simple tense include forgetting to add -s to third person singular verbs and using the wrong form of irregular verbs.

Explain common errors in the present simple tense to the students.

Review

The present simple tense is used to describe habitual actions and things that are always true. To form the present simple tense, use the base form of the verb. In the third person singular, add -s to the base form of the verb. Irregular verbs have unique forms in the present simple tense.

Review the main points of the lesson with the students.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the present simple tense, you can use it to describe actions and things that are always true. Keep practicing to improve your understanding!

Conclude the lesson by encouraging the students to keep practicing.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.