Childhood memories: describing past habits with 'used to' and 'would'

Childhood memories β€” a B1 English lesson. Practise using 'used to' and 'would' to talk about past habits and expand vocabulary around nostalgia and daily life.

Childhood memories: describing past habits with 'used to' and 'would'

Summary

This ESL lesson for B1 English students explores Past habits, memories. Using a real audio as the basis for discussion, students develop listening comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar skills across a 90-minute class.

The grammar focus is 'Used to' and 'would' for past habits and states. Key vocabulary includes used to live (verb phrase), outdoors (adverb), build dens (verb phrase) and more, all drawn directly from the source material. The practical English section gives students useful phrases for real-life situations: You are talking about your past or comparing life now to how it used to be..

Activities

When I was a child, my family and I used to live in a small village. We used to spend a lot of time outdoors. Every summer, my sister and I would play in the fields all day. We would often build dens in the woods too. My mum used to bake delicious cakes every Sunday. I remember we would always help her in the kitchen. Those were truly happy days. I miss that simple life.

Vocabulary focus

The vocabulary section introduces B1-level words and phrases related to Past habits, memories. Key terms include used to live (verb phrase), outdoors (adverb), build dens (verb phrase), bake (verb), truly happy days (noun phrase). Students practise using these terms in context through exercises drawn from the source material.

Grammar focus

This lesson focuses on 'Used to' and 'would' for past habits and states. 'Used to' and 'would' are both used to talk about repeated actions in the past that no longer happen. For example, 'I used to play outside every day' or 'I would play outside every day'.

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Past Habits: Used to vs. Would - English Grammar Lesson
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