How To Teach Conditional Sentence Type 1

Introduction

This first conditional lesson plan will help your students understand and confidently use conditional structures. It is designed to simplify the process for educators, emphasizing the basic structure, usage, and application of the simple present in the if-clause and the simple future in the then-clause.

Before exploring the first conditional lesson plan, let’s have a look at the lesson overview!

First Conditional Lesson Plan: Lesson Overview

Understanding the Basics of the First Conditional

This lesson highlights the key elements of conditional Sentences Type 1:

• Presence of if-clause and then-clause.
• Interpretation of the then-clause as a consequence of the if-clause.
• Usage in discussing possible situations, often termed as the real conditional.
• Structure involving the simple present in the if-clause and the simple future in the then-clause.
• Affirmative and negative forms within conditional sentences.

First conditional lesson plan

1. Lead-In

• To prepare students for conditional sentences type 1, review the form of the simple future. 
• Ask students to complete the following chart about the simple future:

Use a chart to help them recall the future form:

2. Contextulaizing the First Conditional

• Ask students to read this text and answer the true or false exercise:

Are these statements true o false:

• Jane’s success depends on her efforts today. (___)
• If Jane studies hard tonight, she will pass the exam. (___)

3. Presentation

A. Understanding the Parts of the First Conditional

Present the following example to the students:

Ask students to analyze the sentence and identify:

1. Which part of the sentence is the condition?
2. Which part is the consequence of that condition?

B. White Board Division:

Draw a line on the board, creating two sections labeled “Facts” and “Consequences.”

Offer examples of facts in the if-clause:

• If I eat too much,
• If I have enough time this evening,
• If I write a poem,
• If I don’t understand something,

Prompt students to imagine the corresponding consequences and ask them to match the facts with the consequences. I will get fat.

• I will ask the teacher.
• I will watch the match.
• I will send it to my girlfriend.
• I will get fat.

C. Eliciting the Structure:

• Engage students in discussing the structure of conditional sentence Type 1:
  • IF + SIMPLE PRESENT + SIMPLE FUTURE.

D. Student Examples:

• Encourage students to generate additional examples, fostering participation and reinforcing the structure. Provide guidance and correction as needed.

4. Practice Stage

A. Pair Work:

Divide the class into pairs and assign each pair a different if-clause scenario:

1. If he studies for the exam, ____________.
2. If she learns a new language, ____________.
3. If it snows next week, ____________.
4. If the price of gas continues to rise, ____________.

Instruct students to create corresponding then-clauses using the simple future tense.

Monitor and facilitate as pairs share their creations, ensuring correct structure and usage.

B. Additional Practice Exercises:

Putting verbs in conditional sentences type 1 in the correct form (8 items).

For example: 

1. If she __________ (study) harder, she __________ (get) better grades.
2. If they __________ (save) more money, they __________ (go) on a vacation next year.
3. If he __________ (practice) playing the guitar every day, he __________ (become) a skilled musician.
4. If we __________ (not/miss) the bus, we __________ (arrive) at the party on time.
5. If she __________ (eat) healthier, she __________ (feel) more energetic.
6. If it __________ (rain) tomorrow, we __________ (stay) indoors and play board games.
7. If you __________ (not/tell) anyone the secret, nobody __________ (know) about it.
8. If the team __________ (train) harder, they __________ (win) more matches this season.

C. Completing sentences.

Provide sentence stems for completion, ensuring varied scenarios for practice.

• If I win the lottery, ____________.
• If you visit Paris, ____________.
• If we don’t leave now, ____________.
• If they invite us to the party, ____________.

5. Follow-Up (Production Stage):

Group Writing Scenarios:

Design four situations in which students, working in groups, should answer by writing short paragraphs using Conditional Sentence Type 1.

For example: 

• “Imagine you are planning a picnic, but the weather forecast predicts rain. Write a paragraph discussing what you will do if it rains during the picnic.”
• Imagine you have a job interview tomorrow, but your alarm clock doesn’t work. Write a paragraph explaining what you will do if you oversleep.
• Picture yourself in a foreign country, and you realize you’ve lost your wallet with all your money. Write a paragraph detailing what you will do if you find yourself in this situation.
• Suppose you are organizing a surprise birthday party for your best friend, and you discover they already know about it. Write a paragraph discussing what you will do if your friend is not surprised during the party.

Conclusion

This comprehensive first conditional lesson plan equips educators with the tools to teach it effectively. Combining theoretical understanding with interactive activities and practical application ensures that students grasp the basics of conditional sentences and apply them confidently in various contexts.

With consistent practice and engagement, students will master the use of the First Conditional, enhancing their overall English proficiency.

• More on the First Conditional Lesson Plan

More about Conditional Sentences

1. Conditional Sentence Type 1 Exercise
2. Teaching Conditional Sentences Type 1 (Lesson Plan 1)
3. Teaching Conditional Sentences Type 1 (Lesson Plan 2)
4. Teaching Third Conditional (Lesson Plan 1)
5. Teaching Third Conditional (Lesson Plan 2)