Mastering Present Tenses in English

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Unit 5, grammar lesson 2

Mastering Present Tenses in English

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to confidently identify and use all the present tenses in English.

This slide should clearly state the learning objective of the lesson.

What do you already know about present tenses in English?

What are Present Tenses?

Present tenses in English are used to describe actions happening now or regularly. They include simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.

Explain what present tenses are and give examples of when they are used.

My brother always listens to heavy metal music

1. present simple
2. present continuous
3. present perfect
4. present perfect continuous

but I don't like heavy metal at all, it's far too loud.

1. present simple
2. present continuous
3. present perfect
4. present perfect continuous

Write a sentence, using the present simple, verb is 'watch' subject consists of three words, and use a signal word. Write at least 10 words.

Simple Present Tense

Simple present tense is used to describe habitual actions or facts. It is formed by adding 's' or 'es' to the base form of the verb for third person singular subjects.

Give examples of simple present tense and explain how it is formed.

Write a sentence, using the present continuous, verb is 'work' subject consists of three words, and use a signal word. Write at least 10 words.

Present Continuous Tense

Present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are happening now, or a planned activity in the future. 

 It is formed by using the verb 'to be' and adding the present participle (-ing) form of the verb.

Give examples of present continuous tense and explain how it is formed.

Write a sentence, using present perfect and a signal word. Use at least 10 words.

Present Perfect Tense

Present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or to describe past actions with a present result. It is formed by using 

'have/has' and the past participle form of the verb.

Give examples of present perfect tense and explain how it is formed.

Present Perfect Tense signal words

F Y N E J A S 

Result

You do not know when 

Give examples of present perfect tense and explain how it is formed.

Write a sentence, using present perfect continuous and a signal word. Use at least 10 words.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present, or to describe the duration of an action that has just ended. It is formed by using 'have/has' + been and  the present participle (-ing) form of the verb.

Give examples of present perfect continuous tense and explain how it is formed.

Signal Words for Present Tenses

Signal words can help identify which present tense to use. Simple present tense: 'always', 'often', 'usually'. 

BUT also Future: time, schedule

Present continuous tense: 'now', 'at the moment'. 

BUT also Future: planned and organised

Explain what signal words are and give examples of signal words for each present tense.

Signal Words for Present Tenses

Present perfect tense: 'already' mainly positive, 

'yet' mainly negative, 'never', 'just'.

Present perfect continuous tense: 'for + time', 'since'.

Explain what signal words are and give examples of signal words for each present tense.

Practice Exercise 1

https://usefulenglish.ru/grammar/tenses-exercise-one

Create an interactive exercise for the students to practice identifying the correct present tense.

Practice Exercise 2

https://usefulenglish.ru/grammar/tenses-exercise-two

Create an interactive exercise for the students to practice using the correct form of the present tense.

Common Present Tense Errors

Common errors in present tenses include using the wrong form of the verb, forgetting to use signal words, and using present continuous tense to describe non-continuous actions.

Explain common errors students make when using present tenses and how to avoid them.

Tips for Mastering Present Tenses

To master present tenses in English, it is important to practice regularly, pay attention to signal words, and study common errors and how to avoid them.

Give tips to students on how to improve their understanding and use of present tenses.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have successfully learned all present tenses in English! Keep practicing and using them in your daily life to become even more confident.

Sum up the main points of the lesson and encourage students to continue 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.