Eileen Eileen

The Present Interviews the Past

Description

Students participate in a role-play interview where one student acts as a reporter from the present and the other portrays a person from the past. Each pair receives a unique scenario and prepares an interview using the Past Simple. They then perform their interview for the class, encouraging creativity, fluency, and spontaneous communication while reviewing the target grammar. This activity promotes meaningful use of the Past Simple through storytelling rather than isolated grammar practice.

Materials

No materials added to this plan yet.

Main Aims

  • To develop speaking fluency by asking and answering interview-style questions using the Past Simple in meaningful and creative contexts.

Subsidiary Aims

  • To review the formation of Past Simple questions and answers.
  • To improve students' fluency and confidence when discussing past events.
  • To encourage interaction through follow-up questions.
  • To develop creativity by inventing realistic or fictional stories.
  • To reinforce the use of past time expressions naturally.

Procedure

Explanation (5-8 minutes) • To ensure students understand the activity, the interview format, and their individual roles.

Put students in pairs. Explain that one student will be a reporter from the present, while the other will be someone from the past. Give each pair a unique scenario card. Demonstrate a short interview with one volunteer to model the expected interaction. Answer any questions before students begin planning.

Preparation (18-20 minutes) • To allow students to prepare meaningful interview questions and coherent answers using the target grammar.

Each pair prepares their interview. The reporter writes: -5-6 interview questions in the Past Simple. The character from the past prepares: -Detailed and creative answers. -Additional information for possible follow-up questions. Encourage students to expand their answers instead of giving one-word responses.

Performance Time (30-32 minutes) • To provide students with an opportunity to produce the Past Simple fluently in an authentic communicative situation.

Pairs perform their interviews in front of the class. After each presentation, classmates ask one additional question to the interviewee. Provide brief delayed error correction focusing on Past Simple accuracy and pronunciation. If time permits, finish with fun awards such as: -Most Creative Story -Best Interviewer -Most Convincing Character -Funniest Memory

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