Lesson 12 Title: Talking About Past Experiences
Subtitle: Lesson 12
Presented by: Fatima
Contact Information: blackboarder1@gmail.com

Today, we’ll focus on talking about past experiences using both the present perfect and past simple tenses.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to use these tenses correctly and discuss your past experiences with confidence.

Let’s dive in!

• Understand the difference between the present perfect and past simple tenses.

• Learn and practice time expressions used with the present perfect tense ( ever ◦ never ◦ recently)

• Practice discussing past experiences and sharing them with others.

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple

Examples:

Present Perfect:
I have visited Paris.

Past Simple:
I visited Paris last year

Usage:

Present Perfect:
Used for experiences at an unspecified time or recently completed actions.
→ I have seen that movie.

Past Simple:
Used for actions completed at a specific time in the past.
→ I saw that movie last weekend.

Now let’s look at some common time expressions we use with the present perfect tense.

Examples:

Ever:
Have you ever traveled abroad?

Never:
I have never eaten sushi.

Recently:
She has recently started a new job.

Yet:
I haven’t finished the book yet.

Ever and never are used to ask and answer questions about experiences.

Recently for actions that happened not long ago and

Yet to talk about something that hasn’t happened but is expected.

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

Choose the correct tense (present perfect or past simple) for each sentence:

1. I __________ (see) that movie three times.
2. He __________ (buy) a new car last week.
3. We __________ (visit) Spain recently.

Talking About Experiences

Traveled:
I have traveled to Japan.

Tried:
Have you ever tried Italian food?

Visited:
She has visited the Eiffel Tower.

Seen:
We have seen a Broadway show.

These verbs will help you describe your own experiences.

Sharing Past Experiences

In pairs, ask and answer questions about past experiences using the present perfect tense. Use the following prompts:

1. Have you ever traveled to another country?
2. What’s the most interesting food you have tried?
3. Have you ever visited a famous landmark?

Telling a Story Using the Past Simple

Tell a short story about a past experience using the past simple tense.

◦ talk about a trip you took
◦ something fun you did last weekend
◦ or a memorable event.

For example
Last year, I traveled to Italy and visited Rome.

This will help reinforce your understanding of the past simple.

Time Expressions

Match the time expression with its correct use:

1. Ever
2. Recently
3. Yet

a) Talking about something that hasn’t happened but is expected
b) Asking about experiences
c) Talking about recent events

Writing About Your Past Experiences

Assignment:
Write a short paragraph describing a past experience.

Use both the present perfect and past simple tenses, and include at least two time expressions
Example: (ever, never, recently).

This will help you apply what we’ve learned in class to your own life.

That’s all for today!

We will continue learning more in our next class.

Goodbye!