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Vocabulary Grammar Reading Listening Speaking Writing

Section 1

Teacher's Lesson Plan

Confidential

Lesson Overview

Topic

My Family — experiences, changes and life events

Level

A2–B1

Learners

School students and young adults

Duration

90 minutes

Skills

Reading · Listening · Speaking · Writing (+ Vocabulary + Grammar)

Grammar

Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) · Present Simple (contrast) · Past Simple (contrast)

Vocabulary

10 words (A2–B1): mention · achieve · retire · recently · occasion · bond · divorce · childhood · proud · pass away

Materials

Student Handouts 1–6 (printed); whiteboard; this plan

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Understand and use 10 A2–B1 words connected to family life and experiences

Form Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) in affirmative, negative and question forms

Use Present Perfect with ever / never for life experiences

Use Present Perfect with just / already / yet for recent events

Use Present Perfect with for / since for duration up to the present

Contrast Present Perfect with Past Simple using time expressions

Read a short text about a family and answer comprehension questions

Listen to a conversation about family experiences and complete listening tasks

Ask and answer questions about family experiences using Present Perfect

Write 80–110 words about their family using all three grammar structures

Before the Lesson

Print one copy of Handouts 1–6 per student. Keep the Teacher Plan separate.

Write on the board: I have lived here for ten years. (PP — still true now) vs I lived there in 2010. (PS — finished time)

Write signal words: PP: ever · never · just · already · yet · for · since | PS: yesterday · last year · in 2015 · ago

Prepare lead-in: "Has anyone in your family done something amazing or surprising?"

Read the listening script once at home to find a natural A2–B1 pace.

Note: retire /rɪˈtaɪə/, achieve /əˈtʃiːv/, occasion /əˈkeɪʒn/.

Lesson Procedure

Time

Stage

Skill

Teacher does

Students do

0–5 min

Lead-in

Speaking

Ask: "Has anyone in your family done something amazing? Have you ever lived in another city?" Elicit 2–3 responses. Write key verbs on board.

Tell a partner one thing a family member has done.

5–15 min

Vocabulary

—

Present 10 words (Handout 1 Part A). Cover-and-test. Pronunciation: retire /rɪˈtaɪə/, achieve /əˈtʃiːv/. Part B gap-fill. Part C optional.

Part A: read + self-test. Part B: gap-fill. Part C (optional). Pair-check.

15–30 min

Grammar

—

Handout 2: present PP form + three uses + contrast with PS. Board: signal words. Exercises 1–5. Monitor.

Study grammar reference. Exercises 1–5. Pair-check before class feedback.

30–45 min

Reading

Gist: "What has happened in the Evans family recently?" Tasks 1 and 2.

Read "The Evans Family". Answer questions. True / False / Not Given.

45–60 min

Listening

Context: "Two cousins catch up after a family reunion." Read TWICE. 1st: MCQ. 2nd: notes.

1st listen: MCQ. 2nd listen: note completion. Compare with partner.

60–75 min

Speaking

A/B role-play cards. 2 min prep. Monitor for PP forms + signal words. Delayed feedback. Discussion.

Role-play: family experiences interview. Swap. Group discussion.

75–90 min

Writing

Explain task: 80–110 words, all three tenses, signal words, 4 vocab words.

Write about their family. Self-check. Finish as homework if needed.

Teaching Notes

Handout 1 — Vocabulary

The 10 words describe family life events and emotions at A2–B1 level. Cover-and-test. Pronunciation: retire /rɪˈtaɪə/ (stress on second syllable), achieve /əˈtʃiːv/, occasion /əˈkeɪʒn/. Concept-checks: "Do you retire when you are young or old?" / "Do you feel proud of someone when they do something good or bad?" Part C optional.

Handout 2 — Grammar

Present Perfect is the central structure. Teach the form first, then the three uses clearly and separately — students confuse them if presented all at once.
Use 1 — life experiences (ever/never): "Have you ever visited another country?" The time is not stated — any point in your life.
Use 2 — recent events (just/already/yet): just = very recently; already = before expected; yet = expected but not happened (negative/question).
Use 3 — duration (for/since): for + a length of time; since + a point in time. The situation started in the past and is still true now.
PP vs PS contrast: PP = no specific time / connection to now. PS = finished action with specific time. Key error: "I have seen him yesterday" → wrong, because "yesterday" is a finished time marker → Past Simple.

Handout 3 — Reading

The text (~130 words) uses all three grammar structures. Gist: the Evans family has had an eventful year. T/F/NG answers: 1 T · 2 F (her dad retired last month — PS, not PP for the fact itself, but the text confirms it happened) · 3 T · 4 NG (no mention of a pet) · 5 T ("They have never missed a family reunion"). Push students to identify which tense is used in their answers and why.

Handout 4 — Listening

The script uses all three structures naturally. Read at a clear A2–B1 pace. The dialogue contrasts PP (what has happened recently / life experiences) with PS (specific past events). Task 1: 1-B (her uncle has just retired) · 2-C (she has lived in Paris for three years) · 3-A (he has never met her French husband). Task 2: (1) just retired · (2) three years · (3) never met · (4) already booked · (5) last summer.

Handout 5 — Speaking

The Have You Ever? interview naturally prompts Present Perfect with ever/never for experiences, and then follow-up PS questions for specific details ("When did you go?" / "What happened?"). Monitor for: PP form (have/has + past participle), correct irregular participles, and the PP→PS follow-up shift. Delayed feedback after the task.

Handout 6 — Writing

Students write about their family using all three tenses. PP for experiences and recent events, PS for specific past events, PS for background facts. Encourage students to include at least one PP with for/since and one with ever/never. Self-check box covers all three tenses and signal words.

Listening Script — 'The Family Reunion'

Read aloud twice at a clear A2–B1 pace. Do not show to students during the tasks.

Lena:

It's so good to see you, Matt! Has anything interesting happened in your family since last year?

Matt:

Actually, yes! My uncle has just retired. He finished work last Monday — after thirty-five years in the same company!

Lena:

Wow, that's a big moment! Has he done anything special to celebrate?

Matt:

He's already booked a holiday to Japan. He has always wanted to go there. What about you? How's your sister?

Lena:

She's great! She has lived in Paris for three years now. She moved there in 2022 for work.

Matt:

Has she settled in well?

Lena:

Yes, completely. She got married last summer, actually. Her husband is French.

Matt:

Really! Have you met him yet?

Lena:

Yes, I met him at the wedding last June. But my mum hasn't met him yet — she hasn't visited Paris since the wedding invite came.

Matt:

Has your family ever had a reunion like this in Paris?

Lena:

No, never! But we've talked about it. Maybe next year. Have you ever been to France?

Matt:

No, I've never been there. But I've always wanted to go!

Grammar in the script:
· Present Perfect (experience): "Have you ever been to France?" / "I've never been there" / "He has always wanted to go" / "Has your family ever had a reunion?"
· Present Perfect (just/already/yet): "My uncle has just retired" / "He's already booked a holiday" / "Have you met him yet?" / "my mum hasn't met him yet"
· Present Perfect (for/since): "She has lived in Paris for three years" / "she hasn't visited Paris since the wedding invite came"
· Past Simple (contrast): "He finished work last Monday" / "She moved there in 2022" / "She got married last summer" / "I met him at the wedding last June"

Answer Key

Handout 1 — Vocabulary

Part B (gap-fill):
1. proud 2. retired 3. bond 4. achieved 5. childhood
6. occasions 7. recently 8. mention 9. passed away 10. divorce

Part C (matching — optional):
1-f 2-h 3-e 4-j 5-a 6-g 7-b 8-i 9-c 10-d

Handout 2 — Grammar

Exercise 1 (PP form):
1. has retired 2. have never visited 3. Has … met 4. have lived 5. hasn't arrived yet 6. have already booked

Exercise 2 (ever/never):
1. Have you ever visited 2. have never met 3. Has she ever worked 4. have never argued 5. Have they ever moved

Exercise 3 (just/already/yet):
1. has just had 2. have already eaten 3. hasn't arrived yet 4. has just retired 5. Have you packed yet

Exercise 4 (for/since):
1. for 2. since 3. for 4. since 5. for 6. since

Exercise 5 (PP vs PS):
1. visited (PS — last summer) 2. have lived (PP — for ten years, still now) 3. got married (PS — in 2019) 4. have never been (PP — life experience) 5. retired (PS — last year) 6. have known (PP — since we were children, still now)

Handout 3 — Reading

Task 1:
1. Her father has recently retired.
2. He has just bought a house with his partner.
3. She has lived there since she was a child.
4. Because her grandmother passed away two years ago.
5. No — they have never missed a family reunion.

Task 2 (T/F/NG): 1 T 2 F 3 T 4 NG 5 T

Handout 4 — Listening

Task 1: 1-B 2-C 3-A

Task 2:
(1) just retired (2) three years (3) never met (4) already booked (5) last summer

My Family

Student Handouts

Name:

Date:

Class:

Handout 1

Vocabulary

Part A — Key Words

Read each word and its meaning. Then cover the right column and test yourself.

Word

What it means

mention

to talk about something briefly, without going into detail

achieve

to do something great after working hard for it

retire

to stop working permanently, usually because of age

recently

not long ago — in the last few days, weeks or months

occasion

an important event or celebration, like a birthday or wedding

bond

a strong feeling of connection between two people

divorce

when a married couple legally ends their marriage

childhood

the time when you were a child — the early part of your life

proud

feeling very happy because someone you love has done something great

pass away

to die — a gentle way of saying someone has died

Part B — Fill in the Gaps

Use the words from Part A in the correct form.

1.My parents are very __________________ of my sister — she just got her medical degree!

2.My grandfather __________________ last year after forty years as a teacher.

3.My mum and I have a very strong __________________ . We tell each other everything.

4.My uncle has __________________ so much in his life — he has written three books and started a business.

5.I have happy memories of my __________________ — we lived by the sea and I played on the beach every day.

6.We always have big family meals on special __________________ , like birthdays and New Year.

7.My cousin has __________________ moved to another city. She started her new job just two weeks ago.

8.My brother never __________________ his problems. He keeps everything to himself.

9.My grandmother __________________ three years ago. We all miss her very much.

10.After the __________________ , my aunt started a new life in another country. She seems much happier now.

Part C — Match ★ For fast finishers

Match each word (1–10) to the correct meaning (a–j).

Word

1.mention ___

2.achieve ___

3.retire ___

4.recently ___

5.occasion ___

6.bond ___

7.divorce ___

8.childhood ___

9.proud ___

10.pass away ___

Meaning

a.an important event or celebration

b.when a marriage legally ends

c.feeling happy because of someone's success

d.to die (a gentle way of saying it)

e.to stop working permanently

f.to talk about something briefly

g.a strong connection between two people

h.to do something great after working hard

i.the time when you were a child

j.not long ago

Handout 2

Grammar

Grammar Reference — Present Perfect

Form: have / has + past participle

I / you / we / they have lived here for years. ('ve lived)
He / she / it has retired recently. ('s retired)
Negative: haven't met · hasn't arrived yet
Question: Have you ever visited Paris? → Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Has she retired? → Yes, she has. / No, she hasn't.

Three uses of Present Perfect

Use 1 — Life experiences (ever · never · always)

"Have you ever lived abroad?" — asking about any time in your life
"I have never met her husband." — at no point in my life
"She has always wanted to visit Japan."

Use 2 — Recent events (just · already · yet)

just = very recently: "He has just retired." (a few days ago)
already = before expected: "She has already booked the tickets." (sooner than expected)
yet = expected but not happened (❌ + ?) : "He hasn't called yet." / "Has she arrived yet?"

Use 3 — Duration up to now (for · since)

for + a length of time: "She has lived there for three years." (still living there now)
since + a point in time: "He has worked there since 2015." (started in 2015, still working now)

Present Perfect vs Past Simple — contrast

Present Perfect

Past Simple

connection to now / no specific time
"I have visited Paris." (in my life)

finished action, specific time
"I visited Paris last year."

Signals: ever · never · just · already · yet · for · since · recently

Signals: yesterday · last week · in 2020 · ago · when I was a child

⚠️ NOT: ~~"I have seen him yesterday."~~

✓ "I saw him yesterday." (PS — finished time)

Key irregular past participles

Verb

Past Participle

Verb

Past Participle

gone / been

have

had

meet

met

see

seen

know

known

live

lived ✓ reg.

get

got / gotten

move

moved ✓ reg.

been

grow

grown

tell

told

give

given

Exercise 1 — Present Perfect Form

Write the correct Present Perfect form of the verb in brackets.

1.My grandfather __________________ (retire) this year. He is very happy.

2.I __________________ (never / visit) my aunt in Australia. I would love to go one day.

3.__________________ your cousin __________________ (meet) her new neighbours yet?

4.We __________________ (live) in the same house for twenty years.

5.My sister __________________ (not / arrive) yet. She is late as usual.

6.They __________________ (already / book) the tickets for the family trip.

Exercise 2 — Life Experiences (ever / never)

Write a Present Perfect question or sentence using ever or never.

1. you / visit / another country?

Have ___________________________________________________________________?

2. I / meet / her new husband (negative — life experience)

___________________________________________________________________

3. she / work / abroad?

Has ___________________________________________________________________?

4. my parents / argue / about money (negative — they never do)

___________________________________________________________________

5. they / move / house?

Have ___________________________________________________________________?

Exercise 3 — just / already / yet

Complete each sentence with just, already or yet.

1.Great news! My cousin has __________________ had her first baby. She called us this morning!

2."Do you want lunch?" — "No thanks, I've __________________ eaten. I had a big breakfast."

3.My uncle hasn't arrived __________________. He's stuck in traffic.

4.Dad has __________________ retired — he finished work on Friday after thirty years.

5.Have you packed your suitcase __________________ ? We leave in an hour!

Exercise 4 — for or since?

Fill in for or since.

1.My grandparents have lived in the same village __________________ forty years.

2.My sister has worked in that company __________________ she left university.

3.I have known my best friend __________________ ten years.

4.We haven't seen our cousins __________________ last Christmas.

5.My mum has been retired __________________ two months.

6.He hasn't called his parents __________________ he moved abroad.

Exercise 5 — Present Perfect or Past Simple?

Choose the correct tense. Look at the time expression.

1.My family visited / have visited our relatives in Italy last summer.

2.My parents lived / have lived in this house for ten years and they still live here.

3.My aunt and uncle got married / have got married in 2019.

4.I never went / have never been abroad. I would love to travel one day.

5.My grandfather retired / has retired last year. Now he is very relaxed.

6.We knew / have known each other since we were children. We are still close friends.

Handout 3

Reading

The Evans Family

Paragraph 1

A lot has happened in the Evans family this year. Sarah's father has recently retired after thirty years as a nurse. The whole family is proud of him. He has always wanted to travel, so he has already planned a trip to South America.

Paragraph 2

Sarah's brother James has just bought a house with his partner. It is a big moment for the family. James moved to Manchester in 2019 and has lived there since then. His parents have visited him many times, but they have never stayed overnight.

Paragraph 3

Sarah herself has lived in the same town since she was a child. She has worked at the local school for six years. Two years ago, Sarah's grandmother passed away. It was a very difficult time for the family, but it brought them closer together.

Paragraph 4

The Evans family has a strong bond. They celebrate every occasion together — birthdays, holidays and special achievements. They have never missed a family reunion. "We have always supported each other," Sarah says. "That is the most important thing."

Task 1 — Answer the Questions

Write full sentences.

1.What has Sarah's father done recently?