Origins Series · The History of Everyday Things
Teacher’s Lesson Plan — A1–A2
Lesson Overview
Topic
Where did bubble tea actually come from? A light, fact-filled lesson about a very modern drink with a real, documented mystery at its heart — two tea shops in Taiwan still argue about who invented it first, and the argument even went to a judge.
Central question
“Where do you think bubble tea first came from? Is it a very old drink, or a new one?”
Level
A1–A2
Duration
45–60 minutes
Grammar ★
First, people + Past Simple. Now, people + Present Simple. — “First, two small shops argued about one drink. Now, millions of people enjoy it every day.” The series-wide pattern: simple past for history, simple present for today. Allowed grammar beyond Past/Present Simple: can/could (ability, not conditional) and there is/are/was/were.
Tone guidance
Light, fast-moving, a little playful. This is a "fun facts" lesson, not a serious discussion lesson — let students enjoy the surprises. As with the rest of the Origins Series, the Reading text varies its past-time markers instead of repeating the same phrase. Unlike most Origins topics, this drink is very recent (1980s) and highly recognisable to students today, which usually raises engagement further.
Spelling
British English throughout (colour, favourite, realise).
Characters
Mia & Leo (used throughout the series)
Vocabulary
ball · chewy · shake · invent · judge · argue · shop
Writing
40–50 words · 2+ First…Now… sentences
Background
This is a knowledge/fun-facts lesson, not an SEL or HOTS lesson — high engagement, low academic weight. The grammar star is identical across the whole Origins Series. Two extra “Wow Fact” call-outs (bubble tea shops from Berlin to Brasilia; National Bubble Tea Day) were added to Handout 3. All vocabulary beyond the 7 target words was checked to stay at A1–A2 level. Note: the popular etymology of the nickname “boba” (linked to a 1990s celebrity nickname) is deliberately omitted from this lesson as inappropriate for the age group — the text only uses “bubble tea.” This is also a rare Origins topic with a precisely documented, very recent history (1980s–2019), unlike the centuries-old legends in most other lessons.
Key Grammar — First, people + Past Simple. Now, people + Present Simple.
“FIRST, two small shops ARGUED about one drink. NOW, millions of people ENJOY it every day.”
“FIRST, only people in Taiwan COULD buy bubble tea. NOW, people all over the world DRINK it.”
“FIRST, only people in Taiwan COULD buy bubble tea. NOW, people all over the world DRINK it.”
Lesson Procedure
Time
Stage
Skill
Teacher does
Students do
0–5
Hook
Speaking
“Where do you think bubble tea first came from? Old or new?”
Discuss.
5–13
H1 Vocab
Vocab
7 words with clue match.
Match. Fill.
13–22
H2 Grammar
Grammar
First…Now… pattern. 2 exercises.
Exercises.
22–35
H3 Reading
Reading
‘Guess the Year!’ game + history text + 2 wow facts + mini-dialogue.
Guess. Read. True/False race.
35–45
H4 Listening
Listening
Mia & Leo talk about the tea shop argument. Read TWICE.
MCQ.
45–52
H5 Speaking
Speaking
Bubble tea vs regular tea mini-debate (just for fun).
Discuss.
52–60
H6 Writing
Writing
40–50 words. 2+ First…Now…
Write.
Listening Script — "The Tea Shop Argument"
Mia & Leo. First…Now… pattern. Simple grammar only. Read TWICE.
Leo:
Did you know two tea shops still argue about who invented bubble tea?
Mia:
Really? What happened?
Leo:
In the 1980s, both shops in Taiwan made a new drink with tea, ice, and chewy tapioca balls.
Mia:
And they both say they were first?
Leo:
Yes! They argued for so many years that they finally asked a judge to help.
Mia:
What did the judge say?
Leo:
In 2019, the judge said nobody could own bubble tea — any shop could make it!
Mia:
That’s a fair answer, I think.
Leo:
Once upon a time, bubble tea was only in Taiwan. Now, you can buy it in cities all over the world.
Mia:
First, two small shops argued about one drink. Now, millions of people enjoy it every day.
Answer Key
H1 Match: 1.judge 2.ball 3.argue 4.shop 5.chewy 6.invent 7.shake
H1 Fill: 1.shop 2.ball 3.argue 4.invent 5.chewy 6.judge 7.shake
H2 Complete: 1.was/is 2.argued/enjoys 3.had/offer
H3 T/F race: 1.✅ 2.❌(two shops both say they invented it) 3.❌(they argued for many years) 4.❌(the judge said any shop could make it) 5.✅
H3 Task 2: 1.in Taiwan 2.they both said they invented it first 3.that nobody could own it; any shop could make it 4.Berlin, Brasilia, or New York (any valid city)
H4 MCQ: 1.b 2.c
H4 Task 2: 1.tea, ice, and tapioca balls 2.(student’s own answer) 3.in cities all over the world
The History of Bubble Tea 🍺
Where Your Favourite Modern Drink Really Comes From — A1–A2 · 45–60 min
Handout 1
Vocabulary
VocabularyBubble tea is one of the world’s most popular modern drinks — but it has a funny history! Let’s learn some words first.
Word
Part of Speech
Definition
Example
ball
N · A1
A small, round object.
Bubble tea has small, round tapioca balls at the bottom.
chewy
ADJ · B1
Soft, and needs a lot of chewing.
The tapioca balls are sweet and chewy.
shake
V · A2
To move something quickly, again and again.
The tea seller shook the tea and ice together.
invent
V · A2
To make something for the first time.
Two tea shops in Taiwan both say they invented bubble tea.
judge
N · A2
A person who decides who is right when people don’t agree.
In 2019, a judge said everybody could make bubble tea.
argue
V · A2
To disagree with someone, often for a long time.
The two tea shops argued about who was first.
shop
N · A1
A small place where people buy things.
Today, you can find a bubble tea shop in almost every city.
Part B — Match the clue!
1.This person decides who is right when two people do not agree → _______________
2.You kick this in football, or bounce it in basketball → _______________
3.Two friends do this when they disagree for a long time → _______________
4.You go here to buy clothes or food → _______________
5.You must chew gum and caramel for a long time before you can eat them → _______________
6.You do this when you make something for the very first time → _______________
7.You do this to a bottle of juice before you open it → _______________
Part C — Fill in
Fill in the correct word.
1.I bought new shoes at a _______________ in the city centre.
2.The children played with a red _______________ in the park.
3.My brother and I sometimes _______________ about who cleans the room.
4.Scientists want to _______________ a car that can fly.
5.This bread is very _______________ and hard to bite.
6.The _______________ decided the singing competition winner.
7.I like to _______________ my orange juice before I drink it.
Part D — Write the answer
Answer in a full sentence. Use the new words!
1.Do you like bubble tea? What is your favourite flavour? _______________________________________________
2.Do you often argue with your friends? About what? _______________________________________________
3.Is it easy to judge who is right in an argument? _______________________________________________
4.Do you prefer chewy food or soft food? _______________________________________________
Handout 2
Grammar
Grammar★ Star Structure — First, people + Past Simple. Now, people + Present Simple.
Use this pattern to talk about how things change over time.
“FIRST, two small shops ARGUED about one drink. NOW, millions of people ENJOY it every day.”
“FIRST, only people in Taiwan COULD buy bubble tea. NOW, people all over the world DRINK it.”
“FIRST, only people in Taiwan COULD buy bubble tea. NOW, people all over the world DRINK it.”
Exercise 1 — Complete
Complete using First…Now…
1. _______________, bubble tea _______________ a new drink at two small shops. _______________, it _______________ one of the most popular drinks in the world.
2. _______________, the two shops _______________ about who was first. _______________, everybody just _______________ the drink, without arguing.
3. _______________, bubble tea _______________ only one flavour and one size. _______________, shops _______________ dozens of flavours and sizes.
Exercise 2 — Write your own
Write two First…Now… sentences about bubble tea, or about a drink you know.
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
Handout 3
Reading
Reading🎯 Guess the Year!
A judge finally decided that nobody could own bubble tea, and any shop could make it. What year do you think this was? (Answer in the text below!)
A judge finally decided that nobody could own bubble tea, and any shop could make it. What year do you think this was? (Answer in the text below!)
Fun Facts · Around the World
The History of Bubble Tea
In the 1980s, in Taiwan, two tea shops both wanted new, exciting drinks. At one shop, in Taichung, workers shook cold tea with ice in a special cup, and the tea got bubbles on top — that is why people called it “bubble tea.” One day, in 1988, a worker at this shop poured chewy tapioca balls into her iced tea, just for fun. Everyone loved it! At the same time, in another city called Tainan, a different tea shop owner saw small white balls at a local market and had the same idea. Both shops say they invented bubble tea first. For many years, the two shops argued about who was really first. They could not agree, so in 2009, they took the problem to a judge. The two shops kept arguing for ten more years! Finally, in 2019, a judge said that nobody could own bubble tea — any shop could make it. Soon after, bubble tea travelled from Taiwan to countries all over the world. Today, you can find a bubble tea shop in almost every big city, from Berlin to Brazil.
Then
🕔
Two small shops, one big argument.
→
Now
🍺
A cup on every street corner!
Mia:
Wait, the two shops argued for more than ten years?
Leo:
Yes! At first, that sounds silly. Now, I think it shows how much people loved this drink.
🍺 Wow Fact!
Bubble tea shops are now open in cities like Berlin, Brasilia, and New York! One drink from two small tea shops in Taiwan now travels all around the world.
Bubble tea shops are now open in cities like Berlin, Brasilia, and New York! One drink from two small tea shops in Taiwan now travels all around the world.
Task 1 — True or False?
1.Bubble tea started in Taiwan in the 1980s.✅ ❌
2.Only one tea shop says it invented bubble tea.✅ ❌
3.The two shops quickly agreed who invented bubble tea first.✅ ❌
4.In 2019, a judge said only one shop could make bubble tea.✅ ❌
5.Today, you can find bubble tea shops in many countries around the world.✅ ❌
🍺 Wow Fact!
Taiwan even has a special day just for this drink! Every year, on April 30th, people celebrate National Bubble Tea Day.
Taiwan even has a special day just for this drink! Every year, on April 30th, people celebrate National Bubble Tea Day.
Bubble Tea Fans
🍺
“Sweet, chewy, and fun!”
⚡
Regular Tea Fans
🍵
“Simple is always best!”
Task 2 — Write the answer
1. Where did bubble tea first start?
_______________________________________________
2. Why did the two tea shops argue for so many years?
_______________________________________________
3. What did the judge decide in 2019?
_______________________________________________
4. Name one city outside Taiwan where you can find bubble tea today.
_______________________________________________
Handout 4
Listening
ListeningMia and Leo talk about the tea shop argument. Your teacher reads TWICE.
Task 1 — MCQ
1. According to Leo, what did the two tea shops argue about?
A. Which tea tasted better.
B. Who invented bubble tea first.
C. Which shop was bigger.
2. According to Leo, what did the judge decide in 2019?
A. Only one shop could make bubble tea.
B. Nobody could make bubble tea anymore.
C. Any shop could make bubble tea.
Task 2 — Write the answer
1. What three things are in bubble tea?
_______________________________________________
2. Do you think the judge was fair? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________
3. Where can you buy bubble tea today, according to Mia and Leo?
_______________________________________________
Handout 5
Speaking
SpeakingDiscussion
1.Do you like bubble tea? What is your favourite flavour? (I like… / My favourite flavour is…)
2.Which fun fact did you like best — the ten-year argument, or National Bubble Tea Day? (I liked…the best, because…)
🍺 Mini-Debate
🍺 “Bubble tea is better than regular tea!”
Rules: Two teams. 1 minute each. Just for fun!
🟢 FOR
Bubble tea is fun and sweet, and the tapioca balls make it special.
🔴 AGAINST
Regular tea is simple, and you can make it faster at home.
Handout 6
Writing
WritingWriting Task
Write 40–50 words about bubble tea, or about your own favourite drink. Use at least two First…Now… sentences.
Write about: your favourite bubble tea flavour, a strange bubble tea fact you learned today, or how you think your favourite drink first started.
Need help starting? Try this:
My favourite drink is ________. First, people made it with ________. Now, people often add ________. I like it because ________.
My favourite drink is ________. First, people made it with ________. Now, people often add ________. I like it because ________.
Self-check: [ ] 2+ First…Now… sentences [ ] 40–50 words