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If You Learn This...

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Sama Alkhalili

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

First Conditionals Lesson Plan

Students will be able to identify, form, and use first conditional sentences to discuss real possibilities and their likely results.

Understanding first conditionals helps students communicate effectively about future plans, predictions, and consequences in English, making their conversations more precise and natural.

Audience

Adults

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction followed by guided and independent practice.

Materials

  • [First Conditionals Slide Deck](#first-conditionals-slide-deck)
  • [First Conditionals Script](#first-conditionals-script)
  • [Warm Up: Future Forecast](#warm-up-future-forecast)
  • [First Conditionals Practice Worksheet](#first-conditionals-practice-worksheet)
  • [First Conditionals Answer Key](#first-conditionals-answer-key)
  • [Cool Down: My Future Plan](#cool-down-my-future-plan)

Prep

Lesson Preparation

15 minutes

Review all generated materials, including the First Conditionals Slide Deck and First Conditionals Script.
Prepare digital presentation for the First Conditionals Slide Deck.
Print one copy per student of the Warm Up: Future Forecast, First Conditionals Practice Worksheet, and Cool Down: My Future Plan.
Ensure access to a whiteboard or projector for displaying examples.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Future Forecast

5 minutes

Distribute the Warm Up: Future Forecast to students.
Instruct students to complete the warm-up individually.
Briefly discuss a few responses as a class to get students thinking about future possibilities.

Step 2

Introduction to First Conditionals

15 minutes

Using the First Conditionals Slide Deck and following the First Conditionals Script, introduce the concept of first conditionals.
Explain the structure (If + present simple, will + base verb) and function (real possibilities in the future).
Provide clear examples and check for initial understanding.

Step 3

Guided Practice

15 minutes

Lead students through guided practice exercises, using examples from the First Conditionals Slide Deck or creating new ones.
Encourage students to form their own first conditional sentences aloud or on a whiteboard.
Provide immediate feedback and correct any misunderstandings.

Step 4

Independent Practice: Worksheet

15 minutes

Distribute the First Conditionals Practice Worksheet to students.
Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually.
Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.

Step 5

Review and Q&A

5 minutes

Using the First Conditionals Answer Key, review the answers to the First Conditionals Practice Worksheet as a class.
Address any remaining questions or areas of confusion.

Step 6

Cool-Down: My Future Plan

5 minutes

Distribute the Cool Down: My Future Plan to students.
Ask students to write one first conditional sentence about a personal future plan or a goal they have.
Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket to gauge understanding.

lenny

Slide Deck

If You Learn This... First Conditionals!

Discussing Real Possibilities in the Future (Adult ESL)

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce the topic: First Conditionals. Explain that today, they will learn how to talk about real possibilities in the future and their likely results. This is a very useful grammar point for everyday communication.

What Are First Conditionals?

  • Used to talk about real or very likely possibilities in the future.
  • Describes a likely result of a specific condition.
  • Think: "If this happens, then that will happen."

Start by defining what first conditionals are. Emphasize that they are used for situations that are possible or likely to happen in the future, not hypothetical or impossible ones. Give a very simple, relatable example, e.g., "If it's sunny, I'll go to the park."

The Structure: If Clause (The Condition)

  • If + Subject + Present Simple Verb
  • Examples:
    • If I study hard...
    • If she calls me...
    • If it rains tomorrow...

Break down the structure. Focus on the 'If' clause first. Highlight that even though we're talking about a future condition, we use the present simple tense. Provide a couple of clear examples. Ask students to think of a few 'if' clauses.

The Structure: Main Clause (The Result)

  • Subject + will + Base Form of Verb
  • Examples:
    • ...I will pass the exam.
    • ...I will answer the phone.
    • ...we will stay home.

Now, introduce the main clause, which uses 'will' + the base form of the verb. Explain that 'will' indicates a future action. Give examples that pair with the previous 'if' clauses. Mention contractions like 'I'll', 'you'll', etc.

Putting It All Together

  • If + Present Simple, Subject + will + Base Verb
  • Examples:
    • If I study hard, I will pass the exam.
    • If she calls me, I will answer the phone.
    • If it is sunny tomorrow, we will go to the park.
    • I will feel tired if I don't sleep enough.

Show the complete structure with both clauses. Emphasize the comma when the 'if' clause comes first. Also, briefly explain that the order can be reversed (Main Clause + If Clause), and usually, no comma is needed then. Give several varied examples.

Let's Practice Together!

Think about future possibilities. What might happen, and what will the result be?

This is a transition slide for the guided practice segment. Ask students to think of potential conditions or results. Write their ideas on the board and help them form complete first conditional sentences. Provide sentence starters if they struggle (e.g., "If I have free time this weekend...")

Your Turn! Independent Practice

Complete the First Conditionals Practice Worksheet to practice forming and using first conditional sentences.

Introduce the worksheet for independent practice. Explain that they will apply what they've learned by completing the exercises. Remind them to ask if they have any questions.

Worksheet Review & Q&A

Let's check your answers and clarify any doubts about first conditionals.

Go over the answers to the worksheet using the First Conditionals Answer Key. Encourage students to ask questions about any items they found challenging. Clarify any remaining confusion.

Well Done! Keep Practicing!

  • First Conditionals: If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb
  • Used for real possibilities and their likely results in the future.
  • The more you practice, the more confident you'll become!

Conclude the lesson by briefly summarizing the main points: the structure of first conditionals and their use for real future possibilities. Encourage continued practice. Distribute the Cool Down: My Future Plan as an exit ticket.

lenny

Script

First Conditionals Script

Slide 1: If You Learn This... First Conditionals!

"Good morning/afternoon everyone! Welcome! Today, we're diving into a really useful grammar topic called 'First Conditionals.' This might sound a bit formal, but it's something you use all the time in everyday conversations. Our goal today is to help you comfortably talk about things that might happen in the future and what the likely results will be. Think about it like making a prediction or a plan with a condition. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to confidently form and use these sentences."

Slide 2: What Are First Conditionals?

"So, what exactly are first conditionals? Simply put, we use them to talk about real or very likely possibilities in the future. These aren't just dreams or wishes; they're situations we genuinely expect could happen. A first conditional sentence describes a likely result based on a specific condition. You can think of it like this: 'If this happens, then that outcome will happen.' For example, if I say, 'If it's sunny tomorrow, I'll go to the beach,' I'm talking about a real possibility – it might be sunny – and a likely result – me going to the beach. Does that make sense so far?"

Slide 3: The Structure: If Clause (The Condition)

"Let's break down how to build these sentences. Every first conditional sentence has two main parts: an 'if' clause and a main clause. First, let's look at the 'if' clause. This part sets the condition. The structure is: If + Subject + Present Simple Verb. Yes, that's right, the present simple! Even though we're talking about a future condition, the verb in the 'if' clause is in the present simple tense. Look at these examples: 'If I study hard...' – 'study' is present simple. 'If she calls me...' – 'calls' is present simple. 'If it rains tomorrow...' – 'rains' is present simple. Can anyone give me another example of an 'if' clause using the present simple?"

Slide 4: The Structure: Main Clause (The Result)

"Now for the second part, the main clause. This part tells us the likely result of the condition. The structure here is: Subject + will + Base Form of Verb. So, we use 'will' to show future action, followed by the base form of the verb – no -s, no -ed, just the original verb. Continuing our examples: '...I will pass the exam.' '...I will answer the phone.' '...we will stay home.' You'll often hear 'will' shortened to contractions like 'I'll,' 'you'll,' 'he'll,' etc. So, 'I will pass' becomes 'I'll pass.' Any questions on this part?"

Slide 5: Putting It All Together

"Great! Now let's put both parts together to form complete first conditional sentences. The full structure is: If + Present Simple, Subject + will + Base Verb. Remember the comma after the 'if' clause when it comes first! Let's look at our full examples: 'If I study hard, I will pass the exam.' This means studying hard is a real possibility, and passing the exam is the likely result. 'If she calls me, I will answer the phone.' And 'If it is sunny tomorrow, we will go to the park.' Also, it's totally fine to switch the order! You can say: 'I will feel tired if I don't sleep enough.' Notice that when the 'if' clause comes second, we usually don't need a comma. Do you see how these sentences express a cause and a likely effect in the future?"

Slide 6: Let's Practice Together!

"Okay, enough talking from me! It's time for us to practice together. I want you to think about future possibilities. What might happen in your life, or in the world, and what will the result be? Let's try to complete some sentences. I'll start with an 'if' clause, and you tell me the 'will' clause, or vice versa. For example, if I say, 'If I finish work early today...' what might be a likely result? [Pause for student response, guide if necessary: 'I will go to the gym,' 'I will relax.'] Excellent! Let's try another. 'If you visit New York, you will...' [Pause for student response: 'see the Statue of Liberty,' 'eat a lot of pizza.'] Fantastic! Let's do a few more together."

Slide 7: Your Turn! Independent Practice

"You're doing great! Now it's time for some independent practice to solidify your understanding. I'm going to hand out the First Conditionals Practice Worksheet. On this worksheet, you'll find various exercises where you need to complete sentences using the correct form of the verb for first conditionals, or write your own sentences. Take your time, read the instructions carefully, and remember the structure we just learned: 'If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb'. I'll be walking around, so if you have any questions or get stuck, please don't hesitate to ask for help."

Slide 8: Worksheet Review & Q&A

"Alright, let's go over the worksheet together. This is a great opportunity to check your answers and clarify any doubts you might have had. I have the First Conditionals Answer Key here. We'll go through each question. Please speak up if you had a different answer or if something is unclear. The goal is to make sure everyone understands this concept fully. Let's start with number one..." [Go through answers, explaining reasoning for each.] "Were there any questions about specific sentences or the overall concept?"

Slide 9: Well Done! Keep Practicing!

"You've worked really hard today! Let's quickly recap what we learned. First conditionals are incredibly useful for talking about real possibilities and their likely results in the future. The structure is straightforward: If + Present Simple, followed by Subject + will + Base Verb. Remember, like any new language skill, the more you practice, the more confident you'll become! Don't be afraid to try using first conditionals in your everyday conversations. To wrap up, I have a quick 'cool-down' activity for you called Cool Down: My Future Plan. On this small slip, please write one first conditional sentence about a personal future plan or a goal you have. For example, 'If I save enough money, I will buy a new laptop.' This will serve as your exit ticket for today. Thank you for your excellent participation!"

lenny
lenny

Warm Up

Warm Up: Future Forecast: What Will Happen?

Instructions: Complete the sentences below with a likely result in the future. Use the correct form of the verb.

  1. If I wake up early tomorrow, I will...






  2. If it's a sunny day this weekend, I will...






  3. If I learn English well, I will...






  4. If I have extra time today, I will...






  5. If my friend calls me later, I will...






lenny
lenny

Worksheet

First Conditionals Practice Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Part 1: Match the Halves

Match the first part of the sentence (the condition) with the correct second part (the result). Write the letter next to the number.

  1. If I save enough money, ____
  2. If she studies hard, ____
  3. If it rains tomorrow, ____
  4. If you exercise regularly, ____
  5. If he gets a promotion, ____

A. she will pass the exam.
B. I will buy a new car.
C. he will move to a bigger apartment.
D. we will stay home.
E. you will be healthier.

Part 2: Complete the Sentences

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs in parentheses. Remember the first conditional structure: If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb.

  1. If I ____ (go) to the supermarket, I ____ (buy) some fruit.






  2. If it ____ (be) sunny, we ____ (have) a picnic.






  3. She ____ (get) good grades if she ____ (study) every day.






  4. If you ____ (not hurry), you ____ (miss) the bus.






  5. They ____ (visit) their grandparents if they ____ (finish) their work early.






Part 3: Write Your Own

Write three original first conditional sentences based on the prompts below. Be creative!

  1. If I have free time this weekend...











  2. If I learn a new skill...











  3. If the weather is good tomorrow...











lenny
lenny

Answer Key

First Conditionals Answer Key

Part 1: Match the Halves

Match the first part of the sentence (the condition) with the correct second part (the result).

  1. If I save enough money, B. I will buy a new car.
  2. If she studies hard, A. she will pass the exam.
  3. If it rains tomorrow, D. we will stay home.
  4. If you exercise regularly, E. you will be healthier.
  5. If he gets a promotion, C. he will move to a bigger apartment.

Part 2: Complete the Sentences

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verbs in parentheses. Remember the first conditional structure: If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb.

  1. If I go (go) to the supermarket, I will buy (buy) some fruit.
    • Reasoning: The 'if' clause uses the present simple ("go"). The main clause uses "will" + base verb ("will buy").
  2. If it is (be) sunny, we will have (have) a picnic.
    • Reasoning: "If it is sunny" (present simple). "we will have a picnic" (will + base verb).
  3. She will get (get) good grades if she studies (study) every day.
    • Reasoning: The order is reversed. "She will get good grades" (will + base verb). "if she studies every day" (present simple).
  4. If you don't hurry (not hurry), you will miss (miss) the bus.
    • Reasoning: Negative 'if' clause in present simple ("don't hurry"). Main clause with "will" + base verb ("will miss").
  5. They will visit (visit) their grandparents if they finish (finish) their work early.
    • Reasoning: Main clause first ("will visit"). 'If' clause in present simple ("finish").

Part 3: Write Your Own

Write three original first conditional sentences based on the prompts below. Be creative!

(Answers will vary, but should follow the structure: If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb)

Example Answers:

  1. If I have free time this weekend...
    • ...I will go to the park.
    • ...I will read a book.
    • ...I will visit my friends.
  2. If I learn a new skill...
    • ...I will get a better job.
    • ...I will feel more confident.
    • ...I will be able to help others.
  3. If the weather is good tomorrow...
    • ...we will go for a walk.
    • ...I will do some gardening.
    • ...I will eat lunch outside.
lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Cool Down: My Future Plan

Name: ____________________________

Instructions: Think about your personal future. Write one complete first conditional sentence (If + present simple, will + base verb) about a plan or a goal you have and its likely result.













Example: If I save enough money, I will travel to Japan next year.

lenny
lenny