אוסף אמין שנבנה מתוך ניסיון כיתתי עשיר על ידי שני מורים פעילים בהוראת אנגלית.
זה עובד. זה בדוק. פשוט, קל ובחינם.
The fifth Birthdays lesson: a layered A2–C1 lesson on Indirect (Reported) Speech through birthday plans, free time, travel and school situations.
Reporting what people said, asked and suggested.
Students learn how to report statements, yes/no questions, wh-questions and suggestions. They practise changes in pronouns, tense, word order and time expressions.
A2–C1 is a layered range: A2 learners can work with simple said / asked if patterns; B1–B2 learners handle backshift and reported questions; C1 extension focuses on when backshift is optional and on more flexible reporting verbs.
Reporting verbs and birthday-context language taken from the source material.
The main patterns students need.
| Direct | Typical reported form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Past Simple | “I like birthdays.” → She said she liked birthdays. |
| Present Progressive | Past Progressive | “I am planning a party.” → He said he was planning a party. |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect | “I have bought the cake.” → She said she had bought the cake. |
| Past Simple | Past Perfect | “I forgot the camera.” → He said he had forgotten the camera. |
| will | would | “I will come early.” → He said he would come early. |
| can / may | could / might | “I can help.” → She said she could help. |
C1 note: backshift is not always necessary when the information is still true or when the reporting verb is in the present. Context determines whether the tense change is useful.
Corrected to a real 90-minute classroom sequence.
Review a few direct birthday sentences and ask students how they would report them later.
Explain statements, questions, pronoun changes, tense changes and time expressions.
Use one reading passage. Students identify reporting verbs and compare direct and indirect forms.
Pairs transform direct statements and questions into reported speech.
Students take turns reporting direct-speech sentences from flashcards.
Students perform a short dialogue, then tell another pair what was said.
Review the main rules. Homework: rewrite a short birthday conversation in reported speech.
A2–B1 reported questions and suggestions.
On Lisa's birthday, she and her friends decided to spend the afternoon at the park.
Lisa wondered if anyone wanted to play frisbee. John asked if they could have a picnic. Sarah suggested taking a walk by the lake. Mark wondered if there were any ducks in the pond.
Lisa asked if someone had brought a football. John wondered if they should invite more friends. Sarah suggested starting a game of hide-and-seek. Mark suggested relaxing under the shady trees.
Later, Lisa asked if anyone had brought snacks, and John wondered if they could have a small barbecue for the birthday dinner.
B1–B2 indirect questions and suggestions in a travel context.
Last summer, a group of friends planned a weekend getaway to a cosy cabin for Mark's birthday.
As they packed, Sarah asked if anyone had remembered insect repellent. Mark asked whether there were hiking trails nearby. Lisa suggested having a barbecue for dinner. John wondered if they should bring board games.
On the drive, Sarah asked if anyone had seen a deer. Mark mentioned that he had brought his fishing gear and wondered whether there was a lake nearby. Lisa asked if they should go for a nature walk before dinner.
After dinner, John suggested building a campfire. Sarah wondered if they could stargaze outside, and Mark asked if anyone had marshmallows.
B1–B2 direct and reported speech in the same text.
Last week, Ms. Anderson's class went to the zoo. The trip was also part of Sarah's birthday celebration.
Before the trip, Sarah asked Mark, “Are you bringing your camera?” Mark replied that he had forgotten it at home. Sarah then wondered if anyone else had brought one.
At the zoo, Sarah asked Ms. Anderson, “Can we take pictures of the animals?” Ms. Anderson told her that they could, but reminded the class not to use the flash.
At lunchtime, Mark asked Sarah whether she had brought any snacks. Sarah said that she had brought sandwiches and fruit.
Later, Sarah asked a zookeeper how long flamingos lived. The zookeeper explained that flamingos could live for several decades. At the end of the day, Mark asked Sarah if she had enjoyed her birthday trip. She said that she had had a fantastic time.
B2–C1 reported statements, questions and suggestions.
Last weekend, Sarah celebrated her birthday with a surprise party organised by her friends.
On the morning of her birthday, Lisa called and said that she would love to take Sarah to lunch. She suggested meeting at Sarah's favourite restaurant at one o'clock, and Sarah happily agreed.
Without Sarah knowing, Lisa had already coordinated the surprise party. She told Mark that they needed to make sure Sarah did not suspect anything and suggested meeting at the restaurant before Sarah arrived. Mark said that he would be there early.
While they were waiting, Lisa asked Mark whether he had brought the birthday cake. He confirmed that he had and explained that it was hidden in the kitchen.
When Sarah entered the restaurant, she was amazed to see all her friends. Afterwards, she told Lisa that the lunch invitation had completely fooled her and said that she had had no idea about the party. Lisa replied that they had wanted to make Sarah's day extra special.
Perform the direct conversation first, then report it to another pair.
A reporter interviews a singer about their birthday plans. Afterwards, the reporter tells an editor what the singer said.
A student asks a teacher for permission to leave early for a family birthday celebration. Later, the student reports the teacher's answer.
Two friends discuss a birthday weekend trip. Afterwards, each student reports the other person's plans and suggestions.
Three corrected printable exercises.
Rewrite the direct questions as reported questions.
Rewrite each statement in reported speech.
Rewrite the questions and statements in reported speech.
From concrete birthday experiences to more advanced reporting choices.
Birthday-themed reported speech tasks by level.
Collapsed by default.