Featured post

Verb Tenses Summary

This is a fun way to learn present tense, past tense, past perfect tense and future tense all in the same structured songs.

This can be done when describing everyday habits.

Press Play Button ! Listen for the words missing.

I will email all the songs and worksheets to you FREE below.  

PRESENT TENSE

I __________ __________ ___ at 6.30 and _______ ___ out of bed

I ________ a shower and _______ of the day ahead.

 

PAST TENSE

I _________ ____ at 6.30 and ________ ____ out of bed

I ______ a shower and _________ of the day ahead.

 

FUTURE TENSE

I’ ___ ________ ___ ________ ____ at 6.30 and I’___ ______ ____ out of bed

I’___ _______ a shower and I’___ _________ ____ ________ of the day ahead.

 

PAST PERFECT TENSE

I’__ _________ ____ at 6.30 and I’__ ________ _____ out of bed

I’___ ______ a shower and I’___ _________ of the day ahead.

 

The songs are 6 verses ! 

There is also an Irregular Verbs Song. BONUS 🙂

All songs have pdf worksheets and are downloaded as a zip file. 

CLICK HERE for these FREE Language Songs and Worksheets.  I send them to you after the Spelling Sounds Song.

🧠 Focus on Meaning First, Then Form

When teaching verb tenses, always begin with what the tense means, not just how it’s formed. Students need to understand the concept of time (past, present, future) and how each tense connects to that timeline. Use timelines, visuals, and real-life contexts to make abstract grammar more concrete. For example, when teaching the present perfect, show that it’s about a past action that connects to now, rather than overwhelming students with auxiliary verbs at first.

🔄 Use a Contextual Approach

Avoid teaching tenses in isolation. Instead, introduce them within meaningful contexts or stories. For instance, you could use a short narrative where different verb tenses naturally appear, then help students notice how and why those tenses are used. This method not only supports understanding, but also encourages natural usage. Role-plays, interviews, and diary entries are great for contextualizing tense usage.

🧩 Scaffold Grammar Through Practice

Begin with guided practice, where students complete fill-in-the-blanks or match sentences to timelines. Then move to controlled speaking and writing, such as asking questions or describing events. Finally, encourage freer production with storytelling, opinion sharing, or future planning tasks. Always include error correction and feedback, but keep it constructive and supportive.

👂 Integrate Listening & Speaking

Many learners grasp verb tenses better when they hear them in natural speech. Use listening activities, video clips, or teacher modeling to expose students to real examples. Encourage students to respond with full sentences so they practice using tenses aloud, not just in writing. Speaking prompts, sentence starters, and peer interviews are excellent tools.

Get FREE English Verb Tense Songs and Pronunciation Songs Here

🎯 Focus on Tenses with a Purpose

Teach tenses when they are needed, not just because they are next in the textbook. For example, teach the past simple when students are learning to talk about their weekends. Introduce the present perfect when discussing life experiences. This helps grammar feel functional rather than abstract.

✅ 1. Simple Tenses

Tense Example Use
Present Simple I eat lunch at noon. Regular actions, facts
Past Simple She walked to school. Finished actions in the past
Future Simple We will travel tomorrow. Future actions/plans

🔄 2. Continuous (Progressive) Tenses

Tense Example Use
Present Continuous I am studying now. Happening right now
Past Continuous They were playing football. Past action in progress
Future Continuous She will be working at 5. Action in progress at a future time

🧩 3. Perfect Tenses

Tense Example Use
Present Perfect He has finished homework. Action with result in the present
Past Perfect I had eaten before class. Action before another past action
Future Perfect They will have left by 8. Action completed before a future time

🔁 4. Perfect Continuous Tenses

Tense Example Use
Present Perfect Continuous She has been reading for 2 hours. Action started in past, still happening
Past Perfect Continuous I had been working all day. Duration before another past event
Future Perfect Continuous He will have been driving for 5 hours. Duration up to a future point

Get FREE English Verb Tense Songs and Pronunciation Songs Here

🧠 Fill in the Blank with the Correct Form of “to wash”

🔹 Use each sentence to practice a different tense.

(Write the correct form: wash / washed / is washing / has washed / will wash, etc.)

1. (Present Simple)

Every morning, I __________ my face.

2. (Past Simple)

Yesterday, she __________ the dishes after dinner.

3. (Future Simple)

Don’t worry, I __________ the car tomorrow.

4. (Present Continuous)

Look! He __________ his hands right now.

5. (Past Continuous)

At 8 p.m., we __________ the clothes.

6. (Present Perfect)

They __________ the windows already.

7. (Past Perfect)

By the time I got home, Mom __________ the baby.

8. (Future Perfect)

By next weekend, we __________ the entire house.

9. (Present Perfect Continuous)

She __________ the floor for 30 minutes.

10. (Future Continuous)

This time tomorrow, I __________ my laundry.

1. (Present Simple)

Every morning, I wash my face.
🟩 (regular daily habit)

2. (Past Simple)

Yesterday, she washed the dishes after dinner.
🟩 (finished past action)

3. (Future Simple)

Don’t worry, I will wash the car tomorrow.
🟩 (future plan)

4. (Present Continuous)

Look! He is washing his hands right now.
🟩 (happening now)

5. (Past Continuous)

At 8 p.m., we were washing the clothes.
🟩 (past action in progress)

6. (Present Perfect)

They have washed the windows already.
🟩 (past action with result now)

7. (Past Perfect)

By the time I got home, Mom had washed the baby.
🟩 (action completed before another past event)

8. (Future Perfect)

By next weekend, we will have washed the entire house.
🟩 (action that will be completed before a future point)

9. (Present Perfect Continuous)

She has been washing the floor for 30 minutes.
🟩 (started in the past, still happening now)

10. (Future Continuous)

This time tomorrow, I will be washing my laundry.
🟩 (future action in progress)

Get FREE English Verb Tense Songs and Pronunciation Songs Here

📝 Story Exercise: A Day of Washing

🔹 Instructions:

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb “to wash” (wash, washes, is washing, was washing, has washed, etc.) based on the context and time. Try to use different tenses.

Story: A Clean Saturday

It’s Saturday morning, and Anna always __________ (1) her clothes on the weekend.
Today, she __________ (2) them earlier than usual because she has plans later.
Right now, she __________ (3) her favorite red sweater by hand.

By noon, she __________ (4) all her clothes and is ready to hang them outside.
While she __________ (5) the last few items, her friend Lisa called.
Anna told her, “I __________ (6) clothes all morning!”

Last Saturday, she __________ (7) everything very quickly, but this time it took longer.
By next weekend, she __________ (8) all her laundry again.
She just loves the feeling of fresh, clean clothes!

Story: A Clean Saturday (With Answers)

It’s Saturday morning, and Anna always washes (1) her clothes on the weekend.
Today, she washed (2) them earlier than usual because she has plans later.
Right now, she is washing (3) her favorite red sweater by hand.

By noon, she has washed (4) all her clothes and is ready to hang them outside.
While she was washing (5) the last few items, her friend Lisa called.
Anna told her, “I have been washing (6) clothes all morning!”

Last Saturday, she washed (7) everything very quickly, but this time it took longer.
By next weekend, she will have washed (8) all her laundry again.
She just loves the feeling of fresh, clean clothes!

👩‍🏫 Tip for Learning:

Start by mastering the simple tenses, then add the continuous and perfect forms as you get comfortable.

🎙️ Speaking Prompts for Verb Tense Practice

Try to answer these aloud using the verb tense mentioned. You can practice solo or with a partner!

🔹 Present Simple

Prompt: What do you usually wash every week?
👉 Talk about your habits or routines.

🔹 Past Simple

Prompt: What was the last thing you washed yesterday?
👉 Describe a completed action in the past.

🔹 Future Simple

Prompt: What will you wash this weekend?
👉 Talk about a plan or future action.

🔹 Present Continuous

Prompt: What are you washing today (or right now)?
👉 Talk about something happening currently.

🔹 Past Continuous

Prompt: What were you washing the last time someone called you?
👉 Talk about an action that was in progress in the past.

🔹 Present Perfect

Prompt: Have you washed anything today?
👉 Talk about recent actions with results now.

🔹 Past Perfect

Prompt: Had you washed your clothes before it started raining?
👉 Describe an action completed before another past event.

🔹 Future Perfect

Prompt: By the end of the day, what will you have washed?
👉 Imagine something completed before a future time.

🔹 Present Perfect Continuous

Prompt: How long have you been washing clothes today?
👉 Talk about a continuous action that started in the past and continues now.

🔹 Future Continuous

Prompt: What will you be washing at this time tomorrow?
👉 Describe an action that will be in progress in the future.

Get FREE English Verb Tense Songs and Pronunciation Songs Here

Speaking Politely with Assertiveness

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Polite and Assertive

🌟 Why It Matters

In many cultures, politeness and assertiveness are expressed differently. ESL learners may struggle with:

  • Saying “no” respectfully

  • Making requests without sounding rude or too passive

  • Expressing disagreement politely

  • Asking for help or clarification in a direct but friendly way

Teaching these skills helps students communicate confidently while respecting cultural norms in English-speaking environments.

CLICK HERE for FREE Language Songs and Worksheets

🛠️ How to Teach It Step-by-Step

1. Define and Compare

Start by discussing the difference between:

  • Polite: respectful, considerate language (e.g., “Would you mind…?”)

  • Assertive: clear, confident communication without being rude (e.g., “I’d prefer…”)

You can also compare aggressive, passive, and assertive behavior with examples.

2. Teach Key Language Structures

Polite Phrases:

  • “Could you please…”

  • “Would you mind…?”

  • “I was wondering if…”

  • “Sorry to bother you, but…”

Assertive Phrases:

  • “I’d prefer not to…”

  • “I understand your point, but…”

  • “I need more time to decide.”

  • “No, thank you.”

Use dialogues to highlight how tone, modal verbs, and softeners help.

3. Model with Situational Dialogues

Examples:

  • Asking a teacher for extra time on an assignment

  • Returning an item to a shop.

  • Saying “no” to a friend’s invitation

Practice these through role-plays where students choose polite and assertive responses.

4. Use Role-Plays and Scenarios

Create cards with real-life situations and roles:

  • “You received the wrong order at a restaurant.”

  • “You want to ask your boss for a day off.”

  • “You disagree with a classmate in a group project.”

Ask students to act out the situations using polite and assertive language.

5. Reflect and Discuss

After practice, ask:

  • How did you feel using these phrases?

  • Which ones felt too strong or too weak?

  • What would you say differently in your own language?

This builds cultural awareness and confidence.

CLICK HERE for FREE Language Songs and Worksheets

Lesson Plan: Teaching Polite and Assertive Communication in ESL

🏠 OVERVIEW

Level: Intermediate+
Duration: 60 minutes
Focus: Teaching students how to be polite and assertive in English using real-world scenarios.

✅ OBJECTIVES

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

  • Distinguish between polite, assertive, passive, and aggressive communication
  • Use polite and assertive phrases appropriately
  • Practice real-life communication through role-plays

✏️ MATERIALS

  • Polite and assertive phrase list (worksheet)
  • Scenario role-play cards
  • Whiteboard or digital board
  • Markers or slides

⏰ PROCEDURE

1. Warm-Up Discussion (10 minutes)

Prompt: “What does it mean to be polite in English? What about being assertive?”
Write down student ideas and explain the difference between:

  • Polite
  • Assertive
  • Passive
  • Aggressive

2. Teach Key Phrases (10 minutes)

Hand out the phrase list. Go over each phrase, practice pronunciation and meaning.

Examples:

  • Polite: “Would you mind…”, “Could I possibly…”
  • Assertive: “I’d prefer to…”, “I appreciate your opinion, but…”

Have students repeat and use them in short exchanges.

3. Dialogue Practice (15 minutes)

Model a short dialogue:

Student A: I’m sorry to ask, but would you mind turning down the music?
Student B: Oh, sure. I didn’t realize it was too loud. Thanks for telling me!

Ask pairs to rewrite it in a more assertive way, then act out.

🎡 WORKSHEET: Polite & Assertive Language Practice

Task 1: Match the Situation to the Polite Phrase

  1. Asking a teacher for more time
    a. “Would it be possible to get an extension?”
  2. Saying no to a party invite
    b. “Thanks, but I’ll have to pass this time.”
  3. Asking a stranger for help
    c. “Excuse me, could you give me directions?”

Task 2: Rewrite the Direct Sentence More Politely

  1. “Give me your notes.” ➔ _______________________
  2. “You’re wrong.” ➔ _______________________
  3. “I don’t want to go.” ➔ _______________________

👥 ROLE-PLAY CARDS

Cut these out and hand them to pairs or small groups.

Card 1: Your neighbor plays loud music every night. Ask them to keep it down politely and assertively.

Card 2: You want to tell your classmate that you don’t want to work with them again on a project.

Card 3: You need help from a shop employee but they’re busy. Try to get their attention politely.

Card 4: You don’t want to lend your laptop to a friend. Say no clearly but kindly.

💡 REFLECTION

Ask students:

  • Which phrases felt most natural?
  • When is it hard to be polite and assertive?
  • How do these communication styles compare to your culture?

Encourage sharing and follow up with real-life journaling or writing tasks.

CLICK HERE for FREE Language Songs and Worksheets

image from trongduc25789