telling STORIES IN THE PAST

A fun way to practice PAST SIMPLE or/and PAST CONTINUOUS structures is obviously storytelling. Here are two enjoyable and engaging activities I always use with my students. To take it to a next level, you may add a speech sequence expressions to the lesson, such as FIRST, NEXT, THEN, BEFORE THAT, AFTER THAT, LATER, IN THE END or FINALLY. Enjoy.

SPEAKING 1
The teacher prepares little pieces of paper with random words. The students then one by one draw lots. Their task now is to make up a story together incorporating all the chosen words. The teacher may start a story with a single sentence on board and as the students give their suggestions for its follow up, the teacher writes it down as well.

Examples of entry sentences:
One day, I was walking my dog in the park when a strange things happened. 
One day, as I was coming back home from work I saw a house on fire.
One day. I woke up late for school.
One day, I had a very peculiar dream.

Examples of word cards:
RAIN * CHEEKS * FEET * STREET * SOCKS * TOMATO * MONKEY * CREDIT CARD * WINDOW * SOAP * PILLOW * KNIFE * SUNSET * MONEY * TREE * SWIMMING POOL * WATER * TAXI * VOICE * BICYCLE * HEADACHE * BATHROOM * JEANS * GIRAFFE * BOOKSHOP * CLOCK * BABYSITTER * GOLF CLUB * STAIRS * BASEMENT 

NOTE
You may do the same exercises with verb cards, e.g. regular verbs in the early stages of learning Past Simple. 

Examples of verb cards:
answer * ask * attack * borrow * brush * call * change * clap * clean * collect * copy * cry * dance * drop * earn * fail * fix * fry * help * hug * invite * join * jump * kick * kill * kiss * knit * laugh * learn * listen * live * look * marry * mix * need * open * paint * pass * play * promise * relax * rob * save * scream * talk * travel * use * visit * wait * walk * wash * watch * work * yawn * zip

SPEAKING 2
The teacher asks students the following questions and writes down their answers on board. Each students gets to answer one question. The number of questions depends on the number of students in the group. 

• What's your favourite food?
• What smells bad?
• What are you afraid of?
• Which English word starts with "V"?
• What is the synonym of good?
• Which animal can't fly?
• What can you lose?
• Which bad habit can you think of?
• Which country would you like to visit?
• Which job do you find boring?
• What is there in your pocket?
• What illness can you think of?
• What do you wear in winter?
• Which object do you use everyday?

The students then are asked to use all the words listed and combine them in a single story.