Conditional Sentences Lesson Plan: Teaching Zero, First & Second Conditionals

Conditionals are essential for expressing possibilities, hypotheticals, and consequences. This lesson plan covers the three most commonly used conditionals with clear patterns and engaging practice.

Lesson Overview

• Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
• Duration: 75-90 minutes
• Focus: Zero, First, and Second Conditionals
• Skills: Grammar, Speaking, Writing

The Three Conditionals

Zero Conditional: Facts & General Truths

Structure: If + present simple, present simple

Use: Things that are always true

Examples:

• 'If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.'
• 'If I drink coffee late, I can't sleep.'

First Conditional: Real Future Possibilities

Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb

Use: Likely future situations

Examples:

• 'If it rains tomorrow, I'll take an umbrella.'
• 'If you study hard, you'll pass the exam.'

Second Conditional: Hypothetical/Unreal Situations

Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb

Use: Imaginary or unlikely situations

Examples:

• 'If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.'
• 'If I were you, I would apologize.' (Note: 'were' for all subjects in formal English)

Lesson Plan

Warm-Up: 'If' Associations (10 min)

Write 'IF...' on the board. Ask students what situations come to mind. Collect responses to show the range of conditional uses.

Teaching Point: The Three Patterns (20 min)

Present each conditional with:

• Clear structure formula
• When to use it
• 3-4 example sentences
• Timeline or visual if helpful

Key distinction: First conditional = real/possible. Second conditional = unreal/imaginary.

Activity 1: Conditional Matching (10 min)

Give students sentence halves to match:

• 'If it's sunny tomorrow...' → '...we'll go to the beach.'
• 'If I had more money...' → '...I would buy a new car.'
• 'If you mix blue and yellow...' → '...you get green.'

Activity 2: Chain Conditionals (15 min)

Students sit in a circle. First student says: 'If I have time this weekend, I'll go shopping.' Next student continues: 'If I go shopping, I'll buy new shoes.' Continue around the circle. This practices first conditional fluency.

Activity 3: What Would You Do? (15 min)

Discussion questions using second conditional:

• 'What would you do if you won $1 million?'
• 'If you could live anywhere, where would you live?'
• 'What would you change if you were the president?'

Pair work, then share with class.

Activity 4: Controlled Practice (15 min)

Gap-fill exercise where students must choose the correct conditional based on context:

• 'If I _____ (be) taller, I _____ (play) basketball.' (unreal → second)
• 'If she _____ (call) later, I _____ (tell) her.' (possible → first)

Wrap-Up: Production Task (10 min)

Students write 2 sentences for each conditional about their own life. Share with partner.

Common Errors to Watch For

• Using 'will' in the if-clause ('If I will go...' ✗)
• Mixing first and second conditional structures
• Using 'would' in the if-clause of second conditional