aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	English as second language
What age group	Adult courses
What topic	Present perfect and past simple tenses
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Engaging Lesson Introduction: Exploring Time through Personal Stories

Objective

Welcome the adult learners to the lesson on the Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses. This introduction aims to set a contextual foundation, stimulate interest, and encourage participation.

Warm-up Activity: "My Timeline of Experiences"

Materials Needed:

• Sticky notes or small pieces of paper
• Markers
• A whiteboard or flip chart

Instructions:

1. Setting the Scene (5 minutes)
   Begin by sharing a brief, engaging personal story that illustrates both the Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses. For instance:

   • "I moved to this city five years ago (Past Simple). Since then, I have learned a lot about its culture (Present Perfect)."

2. Interactive Brainstorm (10 minutes)
   Ask students to think of significant events in their lives. Frame the discussion with these prompts:

   • “Think of an experience that shaped who you are. Have you ever traveled to a different country? What achievements are you proud of?”

   Give each student a sticky note and instruct them to write one significant experience using the Past Simple (e.g., "I visited France in 2018.") and another using the Present Perfect (e.g., "I have traveled to three countries.").

3. Sharing Time (5 minutes)
   Invite students to share their sticky notes with a partner or the class. This activity not only warms them up for the lesson but creates an environment of connection through shared stories.

4. Visual Organization (5 minutes)
   On the whiteboard or flip chart, create two columns titled "Past Simple" and "Present Perfect". As students share experiences, categorize their sentences in the appropriate column. This visual representation will help solidify the concepts they will explore further in the lesson.

Transition to Lesson Content

Conclude the warm-up by highlighting the differences and uses of the two tenses, emphasizing how both allow us to express our life stories in different ways.

• “Today, we will dive deeper into how these tenses work in English, so we can share even richer stories about our lives!”

This engaging methodology not only fosters a friendly atmosphere but also motivates students to actively participate in learning about the present perfect and past simple tenses.