Present Perfect vs Past Simple: A Complete Grammar Lesson Plan

This is one of the most confusing grammar points for ESL learners, especially those whose native languages don't have this distinction. This lesson plan gives you a systematic approach to teach the difference clearly.

Lesson Overview

• Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
• Duration: 60-75 minutes
• Focus: Present Perfect vs Past Simple
• Skills: Grammar, Speaking, Writing

Key Differences to Teach

Lesson Plan

Warm-Up: Experience Questions (10 min)

Ask students: 'Have you ever been to [country]?' 'When did you go?' This naturally elicits both tenses. Write responses on the board to reference later.

Teaching Point: Timeline Approach (15 min)

Draw a timeline on the board. Show:

• Past Simple: A point in the past, finished, no line to 'now'
• Present Perfect: A period from past to NOW, or result visible NOW

Examples:

• 'I visited Paris in 2019.' (finished, specific time = Past Simple)
• 'I have visited Paris.' (experience, no specific time = Present Perfect)
• 'I lived in London for 3 years.' (I don't live there now = Past Simple)
• 'I have lived in London for 3 years.' (I still live there = Present Perfect)

Activity 1: Signal Word Sort (10 min)

Give students cards with time expressions. They sort them into Past Simple or Present Perfect columns:

• Past Simple: yesterday, last week, in 2010, ago, when I was young
• Present Perfect: ever, never, already, yet, just, recently, so far, this week

Activity 2: Gap Fill Practice (15 min)

Students complete sentences choosing the correct tense. Include sentences where both are grammatically possible but meaning changes:

• 'I _____ (work) at this company for 5 years.' (still working vs left)
• 'She _____ (live) in three different countries.' (life experience)
• 'They _____ (arrive) at 6pm yesterday.' (specific time)

Activity 3: Interview Activity (15 min)

Students interview each other using a mix of both tenses:

• 'Have you ever tried [food]?' → 'Yes, I have.' / 'When did you try it?' → 'I tried it in [year].'
• 'Have you been to [place]?' → 'Yes, I went there in [year].'

This naturally shows how conversations flow between the two tenses.

Wrap-Up: Error Correction (10 min)

Show common errors on the board. Students correct them:

• ✗ 'I have been to Paris last year.'
• ✗ 'Did you ever eat sushi?'
• ✗ 'I lived here since 2020.'

Common Student Errors

• Using Present Perfect with specific past time markers
• Using Past Simple with 'ever' or 'never'
• Confusing 'for' and 'since'
• Forgetting the auxiliary 'have/has'