Topic Six (1.6): You and your school

Objectives for this topic

  • to listen to students talking about what they’ve done at school;
  • to ask and answer questions about what you’ve done at school this term.

Introduction

In this topic you will learn how to ask and answer questions on the topic of school life using the present perfect tense.

Working through your coursebook

Please work through the following sections in your coursebook, completing all listed exercises:

  • What are the main differences between your learning experience at primary school to secondary school? Write down a list of differences and similarities.
  • Page 30, Exercise 1 – Read about the first few weeks at secondary school for Anisha and Felipe. Are they mostly positive or negative about their new school? What would you say are the positive and negative things about home schooling? Write what you would say if you were asked to describe your experience of home schooling.
  • Page 30, Exercise 2 – Look again at what Anisha and Felipe have written about their experience and answer the questions.
  • Page 30 – Read the Use of English Present Perfect Simple box. In topic two you looked at when to use the past simple tense. Go back and have another look if you need to refresh your memory. We use the present perfect tense to talk about situations in the past that are continuing up to the present whereas we use the past simple to talk about situations in the past that have ended. Complete the sentences on page 31, Exercise 3 using the present perfect form of the verb in brackets. There is further explanation about when to use both the past simple and the present perfect tense in the topic Grammar section below.
  • Page 31 – You are now going to do a listening exercise. First read the Class Survey questions (yellow box). Make sure you understand the questions. Look up any words you don’t understand.
  • Now listen to Anisha and Felipe doing the survey. You can listen to it more than once. Answer questions 5 and 6 on page 31.

LISTEN – Track 07

Review

  • A survey about home schooling would ask different questions to the ‘Class Survey’ questions. Write out six questions that would be appropriate for a home-schooling survey and then answer the questions. Remember you form the present perfect simple wh- questions with: Question word + have/has + subject + past participle +?

 Support activity for this topic

  • Complete this interactive crossword on vocabulary related to the classroom.

COMPLETE – In the classroom Links to an external site.

Extension activity for this topic

  • Here are some English words related to education. Read through them carefully and make a note of any words that are new to you. Remember to look up what they mean.

READ – English words related to education (Speak Languages) Links to an external site.

Grammar

  • Read the Use of English box again on the use of the present perfect simple vs. past simple in English. Can you see the differences in use between both tenses?
  • You may find it helpful to watch this video which will help clarify the differences between both tenses.

WATCH – Present perfect vs. Past simple (YouTube)

  • When you are ready, why not try the interactive exercises on these pages.

PRACTISE – Present perfect simple (British Council) Links to an external site.

PRACTISE – Past simple (British Council) Links to an external site.

  • For additional practice, it would be helpful to complete the worksheets below. Remember to check your answers at the end. 

Download COMPLETE – Worksheet – Present perfect simple vs past simple

Download CHECK – Worksheet – Present perfect simple vs past simple - answers

Check your answers

  • If you would like to check your answers to the exercises in this topic, please consult this document here. Download here. The section with the answers is highlighted in yellow.
  • If you would like to access the audioscript(s) for this topic, please click here. Download here.