📌 A1EN

My Life Journey: Talking about the Past

A ready-to-use A1 English lesson — reading, questions and answer key, built by teachers on TeachIn.

This lesson has 5 sections in total — including the full answer key.

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🎬 Interactive video — script & questions

▶ Easy English conversation at a Cafe | Begginers listening level A1-A2 | Diálogo simples em inglês

📖 Reading

My name is Marco. Last year, I decided to learn English because I wanted a better job. In January, I started a course at a small school in my city. On my first day, I was very nervous! I sat in the classroom and listened to the teacher. She spoke very fast, but she was very kind. Every Tuesday and Thursday, I went to class. After work, I studied for two hours. I bought a big dictionary and I watched many movies in English with subtitles. Sometimes it was difficult, but I did not stop. I practiced new words every morning while I drank my coffee. Last month, I traveled to London for a short vacation. It was my first trip to an English-speaking country. At the airport, I talked to the officer. He asked me questions and I understood everything! I felt very happy because my English was better. In London, I visited Museums and I talked to people in cafes. I ordered food in English and I even helped a tourist with directions. Now, I am back home. Last week, I started a new level at my school. My journey with English is long, but it is very exciting.

🗣️ Speaking — discussion

Context

Everyone has a personal history made of memories and experiences.
We use the past to talk about our childhood, our education, and our travels.
Thinking about the past helps us understand who we are today.
Learning English allows us to share our life stories with people from other countries.

Themes

Childhood Memories — Reflecting on how we spent our time when we were younger.
Then vs. Now — Comparing how things were in the past versus how they are now.
Travel History — The different places we visited and the things we saw.

Personal Response

Where did you go on your last holiday?
What did you eat for breakfast yesterday?
What was your favorite toy when you were a child?

Themes & Ideas

Why is it important to remember our past?
Did you like your school when you were 10 years old? Why?

Critical Thinking

Was life better or worse 50 years ago? Why?
What did people do for fun before the internet?

🎭 Classroom activity

The 'Memory Box' challenge: The teacher shows a picture of an old suitcase. Students must list 5 things they 'put' in it from their past and explain why using the Simple Past.

✏️ Questions

Last night, I ___ (watch) an interesting documentary to practice my English listening skills.
I ___ (buy) a new English dictionary at the bookstore yesterday.
She ___ (study) grammar for two hours before the English class started.
I ___ (not/have) any English homework to do last weekend.
We ___ (go) to a language exchange meeting at a cafe last Saturday.
He ___ (talk) to a native speaker for the first time during his trip to London.
Why did Marco start learning English?
- a) He wanted a better job.
- b) He moved to London.
- c) His teacher told him to.
- d) He liked watching movies.
How did Marco feel on his first day of class?
- a) He felt angry.
- b) He felt nervous.
- c) He felt bored.
- d) He felt tired.
When did Marco study his English lessons?
- a) He studied only on weekends.
- b) He studied before work every day.
- c) He studied after work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- d) He did not study at home.
What happened at the airport in London?
- a) He lost his dictionary.
- b) He could not find the airport.
- c) He understood the officer's questions.
- d) He forgot how to speak English.
What did Marco do while he was in London?
- a) He ordered food and helped a tourist.
- b) He bought a new car.
- c) He stayed in his hotel all day.
- d) He taught a class in a museum.
What is Marco doing now?
- a) He is living in London now.
- b) He stopped studying English.
- c) He is in a new level at school.
- d) He is looking for a new school.