The First Conditional

Posted on March 27, 2008

Filed Under conditionals, first conditional, grammar |
The First Conditional
March 26th, 2008
Here are some great ideas for introducing the first conditional
Pre-teach Snake, shark, elephant, jungle, river, bridge, rucksack, crocodile, basket, baby,
father.
WB Draw (or have on card) picture of a ravine. At the bottom are sharks and crocodiles in the
water. On the left of the ravine is an elephant with a baby on its back (the baby is sleeping in a
basket). On the right is the babys father looking shocked, on his back is a rucksack with a
snake sleeping inside. Joining the two sides of the ravine is a rickety bridge.
Elicit Whats the elephant carrying? Baby
Is the elephant heavy? Yes
Is the bridge strong? No
Whats in the river? Sharks and crocodiles
Who s the man? Babys father
Whats in his bag? A snake
Does he know theres a snake in his bag? No
Whats the elephant going to do? Walk on the bridge.
Target sentence:
If the elephant walks on the bridge, the bridge will break
You can elicit this sentence or give Ss the sentence on cards - one
word on each card - and Ss put the cards in order to reconstruct
the sentence
Highlight Form of first conditional
H/O More cut up sentences
-If the bridge breaks the elephant will fall into the river
-If the elephant falls into the river, the sharks and crocodiles will eat it
-If the sharks and crocodiles eat the baby, the babys father will be unhappy
-If the babys father is unhappy, he will start to cry
-If he starts to cry, the snake will wake up
-If the snake wakes up, it will bite the man
-If the snake bites the man, he will die
WB Write the first few sentences as Ss make them
elicit probability on to scale Impossible
Quite possible
Very possible
Definite
(they are very possible-definite)
What grammar First conditional
Imagine situations in the future
Sentence order
If the elephant walks on the bridge, the bridge will break
The bridge will break if the elephant walks on it (no comma)
Negatives
If the elephant doesnt walk on the bridge, the bridge wont break.
Drill ss through cut up sentences on the floor - make negs.
Questions
What will happen if the elephant walks on the bridge?
(Q.word + will + infinitive + if + present simple)
Short answer?:
Will the bridge break if the elephant walks on it?
(will + infinitive + if + present simple)
Ss in pairs drill through questions with sentences on floor
Practice ideas
Magazine adverts
Stick up one or two magazine adverts and elicit what they are for, elicit a slogan for (eg) a
shampoo
If you use Pantene your hair will be shiny and strong
H/O Give out H/O with name of famous brands. Ss in pairs write slogans for them
Levis
McDonalds
Toyota
Budweiser Beer
Local Newspaper
Put up more flashcards and ss in small groups write slogans on paper. Class chooses best
ones.
Superstitions
Draw a man looking into a mirror, elicit whats happening. Draw mirror smashed on floor and
mans horrified face
If you break a mirror youll have seven years bad luck
H/O Superstition if-clauses and Ss in pairs try to complete
Ss (small groups) then write 2 more (own culture) superstitions and two comical, made up
ones.
Group read out the if-clause and other Ss try to complete superstition
Holiday Places
Pictures of famous places/landmarks around the room.
WB If I go to London, Ill probably see London Bridge
Ss melee and for each place on the wall write a sentence as above. (use cards or pictures from
PGWE)
Check in group and feedback onto WB
Kidnapping / Ransom notes
Use flashcards -Group of villains
-Rich family
-Young child
Elicit / talk through scenario: villains want money, go to rich house, kidnap child. Take child
to deserted house.
What do they do to get money? Write letter to family
Do they write it themselves? No, cut up newspapers
Elicit typical content of letter
If you call the police, youll never see her again etc
HO Newspapers, glue and scissors
Ss cut out words and make sentences to construct ransom
Note
Mixed sentences
Write mixed sentences in centre of board - Ss run and write true sentences:
if smoke you get cancer will cigarettes you
fat get you will eat you if chocolate of lots
you if study you hard pass will test the
rain if doesnt it will we tomorrow beach the to go
Writing Chain
Each Ss has a piece of paper and writes a first conditional sentence at the top. Everyone
passes their paper and next person takes the result clause and makes it into the if clause of a
new sentence. Pass again and continue.
Practice sentences
Show a suitable flashcard to class and elicit various conditional sentences from it. Split class
into 2 or 3 groups and give them each a flashcard. Groups write as many first conditional
sentences as possible.
Imagining the Future (talk about it)
Put the following sentences on cards or handouts and Ss into small groups:
If you miss your bus home, what will you do?
If you fail the test, what will you do?
What will you do if it rains this weekend?
What will you do when you get home this evening?
What will you do when this course finishes?
What will you do if theres a transport strike tomorrow?
Where will you live when youre old? Why?
If you pass the test, what will you do?
If you go on holiday, where will you go?
If you go out somewhere after class, where will you go?
When you get married, how many children will you have? Why?
What will you do when you finish university?
If you cook dinner today, what will you cook?
What will you do in the summer holidays?
When you leave home, where will you live? Why?
Time Capsule (discuss concept)
Elicit: What a time capsule is, why they are used.
Ss discuss.
Elicit: What do you want people in the future to know about your lifestyle?
When would you like people to open it?
2 groups - Ss together choose 8 items they want to put into their own capsule and discuss the
reasons why.
Write sentences, sing structure:
If we put . . . in our time capsule, people (will) definitely (wont)
If we dont put probably think we are . . .
Elicit a few sentences to practice the structure.
Mix Ss from each group and Ss discuss their groups opinions.
At the hospital
Show picture of hospital accident situation and elicit a dialogue onto WB.
Grammar to be included:
Past continuous & past simple:
I was playing football when I broke my leg.
Present Perfect:
Have you had an x-ray
Has it happened before?
Have to/Should:
You have to have an x-ray.
You shouldnt walk for 2 weeks.
1st Conditional:
If you walk on it, itll get worse.
What will happen if its broken?
2 groups H/O pictures and group chooses 2 to make a dialogue
Practice In pairs, H/O pictures and Ss practice role play together