Lesson 4A:
Life Experiences

In this lesson, we learn to distinguish between Past Simple and Present Perfect tenses. You'll understand when to use each tense and practice using them in real-life situations.

Warmup:
Events and Experiences

Collage of events and experiences

Vocabulary:
Time and Experience Expressions

already
something happened sooner than expected
yet
used in questions and negatives about recent events
just
very recently, a moment ago
ever
at any time (in questions and negatives)
never
at no time, not ever
lately
recently, in the recent past
since
from a specific point in time until now
for
during a period of time
"for ten years"
ago
counting back from now
"a year ago"
been in
lived/worked in a place
been to
visited and returned
gone to
went and still there

Grammar:
Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Both tenses are used to talk about events that started in the past. The difference is in how they connect to the present.

Past Simple

We use Past Simple for actions that happened at a specific time in the past and have no influence on the present.

Examples:

Present Perfect

We use Present Perfect for:

  • Actions with present relevance.
  • Lifetime experiences.
  • Continuing actions.

Time expressions:

Examples:

Practice

Choose the correct answer.

  1. I ___ to Japan.
  2. She ___ here since 2019.
  3. ___ you ever ___ sushi?

What's missing?

  1. I to Japan, but I to China last year.
  2. She here since 2019, before that she in London.
  3. sushi? Yes, I it last month.

Choose the correct tense.

  1. I to Japan, but I to China last year.
  2. She here since 2019, before that she in London.
  3. sushi? Yes, I it last month.
  4. They to Paris in 2020 and there since then.
  5. I my report yet, but I the research yesterday.
  6. We each other for ten years, we at university.

Task 3

Order the words to form sentences.

Pay attention to the word order.

Reading:
A Career Change

I have worked in the tech industry for fifteen years. My career started in 2008 when I joined a small startup as a junior developer. Since then, I have had several different roles at various companies. Three years ago, I decided to make a major change in my career. I have always been interested in teaching, so I enrolled in a teaching certification program.

I have just completed my certification, and I haven't found a teaching position yet, but I have already applied to several schools. Last week, I had my first interview, and it went really well. The school principal told me they have never hired someone with my background before, but they were impressed by my technical skills.

Since I started this journey, I have met many other professionals who have made similar career changes. Some of them switched to teaching last year, and they have been very happy with their decision. I haven't regretted my choice for a moment, even though I left a well-paying job in tech.

  1. Sarah changed careers.
  2. Sarah has started to work as a cook.
  3. Sarah's career started in 2008.

Speaking

Have you ever traveled abroad?
Have you ever tried exotic food?
Have you ever learned a new language?
Have you ever won a competition?
Have you ever met a celebrity?
Have you ever been in a TV show or movie?
Have you ever written a book or article?
Have you ever started your own business?
Have you ever volunteered for a cause?
Have you ever run a marathon?
Have you ever lived in another country?
Have you ever given a public speech?

Homework

Have you ever traveled abroad?
Have you ever tried exotic food?
Have you ever learned a new language?
Have you ever won a competition?
Have you ever met a celebrity?
Have you ever been in a TV show or movie?
Have you ever written a book or article?
Have you ever started your own business?
Have you ever volunteered for a cause?
Have you ever run a marathon?
Have you ever lived in another country?
Have you ever given a public speech?