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Vocabulary Grammar Reading Listening Speaking Writing

School Series · Lesson 3A of 5

Teacher's Lesson Plan

Lesson Overview

Topic

Practice Makes Perfect! Why practice matters — in sport, in music, and in language. The central message: homework in English is not an obligation to fulfil — it is training time that makes you better. Students discover this themselves through sport analogies, not through a teacher's declaration.

Series

School Series · Lesson 3A of 5 · A1–A2 · companion to Lesson 3B (B1–B2)

Central idea

"Homework is not done for its own sake — it gives you more time to use what you are learning." Students reach this conclusion themselves through the analogy: a footballer trains every day, not just on match day. English is the same.

Level

A1–A2 (dual-level design: A1 = G1 + G2 · A2 adds G3 comparatives)

Duration

60–75 minutes

Grammar

G1 Present Simple — facts and routines (A1, revision) · G2 Can — ability and result of practice (A1, revision + development) · G3 Comparative adjectives ★ — progress and improvement (A2, new material)

A1 / A2 split

A1: use G1 + G2 only. G3 appears in the reading but is not exercised.
A2: G1 + G2 + G3 fully. Exercises 4–5 are comparative exercises. Writing: 60–80 words with comparatives.

Vocabulary

12 words (A1–A2): practise · improve · skill · train · match · concert · routine · confident · mistake · effort · progress · achieve

Writing

A1: 40–60 words · A2: 60–80 words

Pedagogical Notes — The Homework Argument

The key insight to communicate

The lesson does not say: "Do your homework because teachers say so." It says something quite different:

English is a skill, not a subject. A footballer learns technique in training — but improves by playing every day. A pianist learns pieces in lessons — but gets better by practising at home. Language works the same way: the lesson gives you the knowledge; practice gives you the skill.

What makes this work in class: Maya says exactly what many students feel — "I don't like homework. It's boring." Leo doesn't tell her she's wrong. He asks her about basketball, something she loves. The logic comes from her own answer: "I practise because I get better when I practise!" — and then Leo says: "Exactly. English is the same."

The key lesson point (which you can board or say explicitly after the listening):
"We don't practise to finish the homework. We practise to get better."

The three analogies in the reading

Three short sports/arts profiles, each ending with the same "secret": I practise every day.
· Footballer Kai: trains every day — not just on match day
· Pianist Sophie: plays at home every evening — not just in lessons
· Swimmer Alex: swims every morning — because the race is short but the training is long

After reading, the question: "What is their secret? And what is YOUR secret for learning English?"
Students write their own answer. This is the moment where the argument lands naturally.

Key Grammar — Teaching Notes

G3 — Comparative adjectives (A2 ceiling)

At A2, introduce comparatives in the context of improvement:

Short adjectives (1 syllable) + -er:
fast → faster · strong → stronger · good → better (irregular!) · hard → harder

Long adjectives (2+ syllables): more + adjective:
confident → more confident · difficult → more difficult · interesting → more interesting

Irregular:
good → better (not "gooder"!) · bad → worse

Key sentence pattern:
"When you practise, English gets easier."
"After training, I am faster."
"I am more confident now."

Common error: ✗ "more fast" → ✓ "faster" · ✗ "more better" → ✓ "better"

Lesson Procedure

Time

Stage

Skill

Teacher does

Students do

0–6 min

Lead-in

Speaking

Board: "Do you like homework? Why / why not?" Take 4–5 answers honestly. Don't argue. Then: "A footballer trains every day. Why? The match is only on Saturday." Draw the board connection: match → lesson · training → homework.

Answer honestly about homework. React to the footballer comparison.

6–16 min

Vocabulary

—

12 words. Part B match (sport/music word to definition). Part C gap-fill.

Read vocabulary. Match. Gap-fill.

16–36 min

Grammar

—

G1 PS (revision, quick). G2 Can (ability + result of practice). G3 Comparatives (A2 ceiling — use the improvement context). Exercises 1–5 (Ex 4–5 = A2 comparative exercises).

Study cards. Exercises 1–5. Pair-check.

36–46 min

Reading

Three sports profiles. Gist: "What is their secret?" All three = practise every day. Tasks 1–3. Final question: "What is YOUR English secret?"

Read profiles. T/F. Answer question. Write their secret.

46–56 min

Listening

Maya and Leo conversation. Read TWICE slowly. The key moment: Maya says why she practises basketball → Leo connects it to English.

MCQ. Notes. Complete the key sentences.

56–66 min

Speaking

Task A (sport/activity routine) / Task B (what makes you better at something?) / Task C (compare before/after practice).

Talk about their own practice. Compare. Discuss.

66–75 min

Writing

A1: 40–60 words, G1 + G2. A2: 60–80 words + G3 comparatives + 5 vocab. Three options.

Write. Count. Self-check.

Listening Script — 'Maya and Leo: The Homework Conversation'

Read slowly and clearly. Pause between speakers. Read twice. Maya sounds honest and a little reluctant. Leo is patient and friendly — he doesn't lecture, he asks questions.

Leo:

Maya, why do you look so unhappy?

Maya:

I have English homework. I don't like homework. It's boring.

Leo:

OK. Let me ask you something. You play basketball every day, right?

Maya:

Yes. Every evening after school. I train for one hour.

Leo:

But your match is only on Saturday. Why do you train every day?

Maya:

Because… I get better when I train. When I practise every day, I am faster. I am stronger. I can do things I can't do without practice.

Leo:

Exactly. English is the same.

Maya:

Hmm. But basketball is fun. Homework is not always fun.

Leo:

I know. Training is not always fun either. But you do it. Because the match is better when you are ready.

Maya:

So… you think English class is the match? And homework is the training?

Leo:

Yes! The lesson is one hour. But English is everywhere — films, music, the internet. You can practise every day. And every time you practise, it gets easier. Your English gets better. Your confidence gets bigger.

Maya:

My confidence gets bigger…

Leo:

More confident. You get more confident.

Maya:

OK. I understand. But I still don't love homework.

Leo:

That's fine. Kai doesn't love training at 7am either. He does it anyway. And on Saturday, he scores the goals.

Maya:

Who is Kai?

Leo:

The footballer. From the reading. You know — the one you just studied!

Maya:

Oh. Right. OK, OK. I'll do the homework.

Leo:

Good. And when your English gets better — you say thank you to me.

Maya:

I'll think about it.

All 3 structures in the listening:
· G1 PS: You play basketball every day / I train for one hour / your match is only on Saturday / English is the same / The lesson is one hour / English is everywhere
· G2 Can: I can do things I can't do without practice / You can practise every day
· G3 Comparatives: I am faster / I am stronger / it gets easier / Your English gets better / Your confidence gets bigger / You get more confident

Answer Key

Handout 1 — Vocabulary Part C

1. practise 2. train 3. match 4. concert 5. routine 6. skill 7. mistakes 8. improve 9. effort 10. confident 11. progress 12. achieve

Handout 2 — Grammar

Ex 1 (PS): 1. plays / trains 2. study / improves 3. don't like 4. practises / gets 5. Does / practise 6. listen / watch / read

Ex 2 (Can): 1. can speak 2. can practise 3. can't do 4. can watch/listen 5. can improve 6. Can you read

Ex 3 (Can — result of practice): 1. can speak / better 2. can run / faster 3. can play / more songs 4. can understand / more words

Ex 4 (Comparatives — A2): 1. faster 2. stronger 3. better 4. easier 5. more confident 6. harder 7. more interesting 8. better

Ex 5 (Error correction — A2): 1. FASTER (not 'more fast') 2. BETTER (not 'more good') 3. EASIER (not 'more easy' — 2-syllable adj ending in -y: drop y + -ier) 4. more DIFFICULT (not 'difficulter') 5. STRONGER (not 'more strong')

Reading + Listening

Reading T/F: 1 T 2 F (Sophie plays at home every evening — not at school) 3 T 4 T 5 F (the secret is the same for all three: they practise every day)

Listening Task 1: 1-b 2-c 3-a

Task 2 key sentences: match / Saturday / every day / faster / stronger / English / easier / better / more confident / everywhere / one hour

Practice Makes Perfect!

School Series · Lesson 3A · Student Handouts · A1–A2

Name:

Date:

Class:

Handout 1

Vocabulary

Part A — Key Words

Word

What it means / example

practiseA1

to do something many times to get better at it — I practise English every day. I listen to songs and watch short videos.

improveA2

to get better at something — When you practise every day, your English improves. It gets easier and easier.

skillA2

something you can do well — it comes from practice — Speaking English is a skill. You get better with practice.

trainA1

to practise a sport regularly — I train every morning before school. I run for thirty minutes.

matchA1

a game of sport — football, basketball, tennis — Our school football match is on Saturday. I train every day to be ready.

concertA2

a live music performance — Sophie's piano concert is next month. She practises every evening at home.

routineA2

the things you do regularly, in the same order — My English routine: I do 15 minutes every evening. I listen, read or write.

confidentA2

feeling sure about yourself and your abilities — I am not very confident in English yet — but I practise every day and I feel better every week.

mistakeA1

something wrong that you do by accident — Don't be afraid of mistakes. Every mistake helps you learn. Mistakes are normal!

effortA2

the energy and work you put into something — Good results need effort. There is no magic secret — only hard work.

progressA2

improvement over time — getting better — I can see my progress in English! This year I understand much more than last year.

achieveA2

to successfully do something after working hard — You can achieve a lot in English if you practise every day.

Part B — Sport, Music, or English?

These words can describe sport, music or English learning. Write each word in the correct column. Some words can go in more than one column!

⚽ Sport

🎵 Music

🇬🇧 English

__________
__________
__________
__________

Words to use: practise · train · match · concert · skill · improve · routine · effort · progress · mistake · confident · achieve

Part C — Fill in the Gaps

Use the words from Part A.

1.I __________________ English for 15 minutes every day. I listen to music and watch videos.

2.Kai __________________ every morning. He runs, he does exercises and he practises with the ball.

3.Our football __________________ is on Saturday. We need to be ready!

4.Sophie's piano __________________ is next month. She plays every evening to be ready.

5.My English __________________ : every evening, I do 15 minutes of listening or reading. I never skip it.

6.Speaking English is a __________________ . You need practice. It doesn't come automatically.

7.Don't be afraid of __________________ ! Every mistake helps you learn. That's how you get better.

8.When you practise every day, your English __________________ . You get better and better.

9.Learning a language takes __________________ . There is no easy shortcut. But it is worth it!

10.I am not very __________________ in English yet. But I practise every day and I feel better every week!

11.I can see my __________________ ! This year I can understand much more than last year.

12.You can __________________ a lot in English if you practise. Don't give up!

Answer key

1. practise 2. train 3. match 4. concert 5. routine 6. skill 7. mistakes 8. improve 9. effort 10. confident 11. progress 12. achieve

Handout 2

Grammar

Three Grammar Structures — Practice, Ability and Progress

G1 — PRESENT SIMPLE A1
For facts, routines and things that are always true.
I practise every day. · She trains before school. · English gets easier with practice.
I don't like homework. · He doesn't train on Sunday.
Do you practise every day? · Does she train in the morning?
she/he/it → adds -s: practises / trains / improves / gets / achieves

G2 — CAN A1
For ability — what you can do. Especially: what you CAN do because you practise.
I can speak more English now. · She can play three pieces on the piano.
You can improve your English every day — it's free!
I can't do this without practice. · Can you understand this song?
Can + base infinitive: ✗ "I can speaks." ✓ "I can speak."

G3 — COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES A2
To show improvement — to say something is more than before.

Short adjectives (1 syllable) + -er:
fast → faster · strong → stronger · hard → harder · easy → easier

Long adjectives (2+ syllables): more + adjective:
confident → more confident · difficult → more difficult · interesting → more interesting

Irregular:
good → better (NOT "more good"!) · bad → worse

When you practise, English gets easier. · I am faster now. · My English is better this year.
✗ "more fast" ✓ "faster" · ✗ "more good" ✓ "better" · ✗ "more easy" ✓ "easier"

Exercise 1 — Present Simple: Practice Routines A1

Complete with the correct Present Simple form.

1.Kai __________________ (play) football every day. He __________________ (train) for two hours after school.

2.Sophie and Anna __________________ (study) music. Sophie's piano playing __________________ (improve) every week.

3.I __________________ (not like) homework very much — but I do it every day!

4.Maya __________________ (practise) basketball every evening. She __________________ (get) better every week.

5.__________________ Leo __________________ (practise) English at home?

6.I __________________ (listen) to English music, I __________________ (watch) English videos and I __________________ (read) English every day.

Exercise 2 — Can / Can't: What Can You Do Now? A1

Complete using can or can't.

1.I practise English every day. Now I __________________ speak much better than before.

2.You __________________ practise English everywhere — on your phone, on the bus, at home.

3.Without practice, I __________________ improve. Practice is the only way.

4.Maya __________________ watch films in English now. She understands a lot.

5.Everyone __________________ improve their English. You just need time and effort.

6.__________________ you __________________ read this English text without a dictionary? Try!

Exercise 3 — Can + Better: The Result of Practice A1

Complete each sentence. Write what you can do now because you practise.

1.I practise English every day, so I __________________ speak __________________ than before.

2.Alex trains every morning, so he __________________ run __________________ than last year.

3.Sophie practises piano every evening, so she __________________ play __________________ pieces.

4.When you listen to English every day, you __________________ understand __________________ words.

Exercise 4 — Comparative Adjectives A2

Write the comparative form of the adjective in brackets.

1.After training every day, Kai is __________________ (fast) than before.

2.Alex swims every morning. He is now __________________ (strong) than last year.

3.I practise English every day. My English is __________________ (good) than last year.

4.When you practise, English gets __________________ (easy). It's not so difficult any more.

5.Sophie is now __________________ (confident) on stage. She doesn't get nervous.

6.I study every day. The tests are __________________ (hard) than before — but I am ready.

7.English films are __________________ (interesting) when you understand the words!

8.After six months of practice, my speaking is much __________________ (good). I can feel the progress.

Exercise 5 — Error Correction: Comparatives A2

Each sentence has one mistake in the comparative adjective. Find it and correct it.

1. "After training, Kai is more fast than before."