OUTCOMES

From this lesson you will be able to:

understand other students experiences of learning a second language identify word form and grammar errors understand the use of the simple present and simple past tense understand the use of time phrases in simple present and simple past tenses. write about your experiences as language learners using simple present and simple past tenses with appropriate time phrases.

Learning a new language: other students experiences

Listen to these six students talking about their experiences of learning a second language. In their responses, there are some word form and grammatical mistakes. Identify, record and correct the mistakes in the chart below. One has been done for you.

Student 1 2 3 4 5 6

Wrong form exciting (excited)

Grammar error

Listening

Tenses: Simple past and simple present

1. Look at the transcripts for the first three students. 1. Identify the verbs they use. 2. Are the verbs in the correct tense for their purpose?

Grammar

Student 1 When I started learning English two years ago I felt very worry about to learn a new language. But I soon got used to the working. Student 2 I was a little worried about it at first because it was a lot of work and I was anxious about being passing. But it was an importance chance for me. Student 3 I want to exploring Australia, so last year I started learning English. At the start I felt a little scary because English is difficult sometimes, and I had to work hard.

The student speakers in the listening are talking about past events, e.g. when they started learning a second language. The correct verb tense to use in this context is simple past tense. We use the simple past tense to talk about many kinds of past events: short, quickly finished actions and happenings, longer situations, and repeated events, e.g.: John broke a window last night. He moved into the house in 1985. I spent all of my childhood in Australia. The simple past is common in story-telling and when we are telling people about past events, e.g.: One day the princess decided that she didnt like staying home, so she told her father that she wanted to get a job The simple past is often used with references to finished periods and moments of time, e.g.: I saw John yesterday morning. He told me In general, the simple past tense is the normal tense for talking about the past; we use it if we do not have a special reason for using one of the other past tenses.

Using time phrases

One of the keys to correct tense usage is understanding which time expressions or indicators are used with which tenses.The following time phrases are used with the simple past tense to indicate an event that was completed in the past. period of time + ago She moved to Sydney three years ago. They visited their parents two weeks ago. last week / month / year / April, June, etc. Tim began university last month. Jennifer started her course last April. yesterday / last night / the day before yesterday We saw that new film the day before yesterday. She had lunch with Tony yesterday afternoon. at first / in the beginning It was easy for me at first 2. Identify the time phrases used with the simple past tense by the first three speakers.

3. Look at the transcripts for the second three students. 1. Identify the verbs they use. 2. Are the verbs in the correct tense for their purpose?

Student 1 When I started learning English two years ago I felt very worry about to learn a new language. But I soon got used to the working. Student 2 I was a little worried about it at first because it was a lot of work and I was anxious about being passing. But it was an importance chance for me. Student 3 I want to exploring Australia, so last year I started learning English. At the start I felt a little scary because English is difficult sometimes, and I had to work hard.

Simple Past Tense

The simple present tense is used to describe: habitual actions (e.g., I usually start lessons at 8.30am. / I always brush my teeth in the morning). personal facts (e.g., I study English in my home. I am a student) facts which indicate general truth (e.g., English is the most common second language.)

Using time phrases

Notice that we often use usually sometimes or always when describing habitual actions. Other time signals can be used to indicate repetition: every day, each morning, in the morning, on Mondays and frequency: twice a month, monthly, annually 5. Identify the time phrases used with the present simple tense by the second three speakers.

1. For each of the following sentences, choose the correct tense for the verb.

Grammar

When I (begin/began) studying last year, I (am/was) nervous about how long it would take to finish the course. I (receive/received) the brochure two weeks ago. I (like/liked) the course and so I (enrol/enrolled) straight away. I still (found/find) it difficult to study beyond 10 oclock as I usually (get/got) tired by then. At first I (find/found) it difficult to manage my time because I (have/had) a job in a supermarket, but after I (leave/left) my job, it (becomes/became) a lot easier to find time to study. I (pass/passed) all of my final exams so now I (can/could) look forward to being a translator. I always (do/did) my studying before dinner. That way I usually (have/had) time to relax afterwards.

Your own experiences of learning a second language

1. Think about your own experiences of learning a second language then write sentences that answer these questions. Use time phrases to support your verb tenses. How did you feel at the beginning? How do you feel now? Do you think your experiences are common to all students? 2. Discuss your answers with a partner.

Writing