OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This ESL lesson plan on mobile phones and practicing the past simple offers engaging activities, PDF worksheets, and digital materials designed for pre-intermediate A2 students. In this lesson, students will:

• Discuss how they use mobile phones in daily life and describe app activities.
• Learn vocabulary related to mobile apps, tools, and everyday phone actions.
• Analyze past simple sentences with time phrases, negatives, and questions.
• Practice forming past simple statements, negatives, and WH- questions.
• Complete a communicative activation about recent phone use with classmates.

WARM-UP ACTIVITY

Students this ESL lesson begin by looking at images of people using their phones and describe what is happening using the present continuous. A clear verb bank supports them as they form full sentences such as “She is writing a message” and “They are ordering food.” This stage activates technology vocabulary and prepares students for later grammar work.

Next, students identify common mobile apps and tools such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Uber, Google, and Amazon. They explain what people can do with each one using the structure “You can use ___ to…”. This reinforces functional language connected to real phone use.

The warm-up concludes with discussion questions about mobile phones. Students share what other things people do with their phones and what apps they usually use. This encourages short, simple speaking before moving into the grammar focus.

TARGET LANGUAGE STUDY

Students read short past simple sentences about recent phone activities. They identify whether the sentences refer to the past, notice time phrases, and classify verbs as regular or irregular. They also rewrite the sentences in the negative form. This stage clearly introduces past simple form in a meaningful context.

The focus then shifts to verb formation. Students write the past simple forms of regular and irregular verbs connected to app and phone actions. This controlled practice strengthens spelling and verb awareness.

Attention then moves to past simple questions. Students analyze example questions and choose correct answers about structure. They notice that yes/no questions begin with “Did,” that the subject follows “did,” and that the base verb is used after it. This builds a clear understanding of question formation before speaking practice begins.

PRODUCTION PRACTICE

Students complete a realistic dialogue using the past simple. They fill in affirmative sentences, negatives, and questions about mobile phone activities. The conversation includes everyday tech references, which keeps the grammar practical and relevant.

Picture prompts and time expressions guide students to write sentences about what people did on their phones. After writing each sentence, they create a follow-up question. This prepares them for interactive speaking and strengthens their control of past simple forms.

CHECK YOUR PHONE: WHAT DID YOU DO…?

Students write about what they did on their phones earlier today, yesterday, or this week. A list of verbs and time phrases supports them as they create several sentences in the past simple. They may check their phones for ideas if possible.

They then work with a partner or the teacher and share their answers. Follow-up questions encourage natural conversation using the past simple. Additional guided prompts help students discuss real phone activities such as calling someone, browsing social media, sending emails, booking travel, or ordering something. This final stage gives students meaningful communicative practice connected to their real lives.

BENEFITS OF USING THIS MOBILE PHONE ESL LESSON PLAN

• This ESL lesson on mobile phone use and past simple is designed with a modern and relatable context.
• Students connect everyday phone use and technology to past simple structures. The lesson includes structured grammar analysis, clear form practice, and guided speaking tasks.
• Teachers receive ready-to-use PDF worksheets and digital materials.
• The progression supports accuracy and builds confidence before open communication.