[sms04n]

Hello, I have a low pre-intermediate class in their early twenties. I need some fun activities. We have practiced and practiced the difference between the two present tenses. Does anyone have any good activities, expecially oral? Thanks in advanced.

[Denis DNT]

The activity I usually use is asking them to describe the sequence of daily activities from when they get up in the morning to when they go to bed. When they each know how to describe their daily activities bring in a clock and play the following game:
It should be a clock you can play with the hands freely. First ask the most brilliant of your students to present his / her daily sequence of activities in front of the rest of the class. Ask the rest to listen carefully and take down notes.
Next step: The presenter goes out.
Then you announce: Mary (The presenter) is in her house now, it's 7.30AM what is she doing?
Answer: She is brushing her teeth for example depending on what she had on her presentation. Students have to use their notes to answer the questions in the present continuous tense while your role is just to manipulate the hands of the clock.
The student with the best answers according to Mary's presentation earns the privilege to go out for some fresh air after making his or her presentation while the others continue to struggle with taking notes.
This activity will help them practice the simple tense, the present continuous tense, telling the time and lots of action verbs.
The game, when well understood in a class can easily be modified to teach the simple past tenses too.
All the best.

[sms04n]

Thank you! I definitely used these! Do you have anything for past simple/continuous?

[uscollegeranking]

@Denis DNT, thanks for sharing a great info!

[Denis DNT]

Thanks.
You are welcome anytime.

[bilinguallearner]

Here's a fun chant for present or past simple:

Have students chant and clap the following words in a 1-2 rhythm:

I am (CLAP)
you are (CLAP)
he is (CLAP), she is (CLAP), it is (CLAP),
we are (CLAP), they are (CLAP)
Present Tense TO BE (3 CLAPS!

Or for past tense:

I was (CLAP),
you were (CLAP),
he was (CLAP), she was (CLAP), it was (CLAP),
we were (CLAP), they were (CLAP),
Past Tense TO BE (3 CLAPS)!

Students of any age love these chants and you can substitute in any verb you want instead of is, was, etc. It really helps students memorize the way the language sounds.

Hope this helps!
Stephanie