This had to be among the most challenging of all the lessons I presented while I was a CELTA trainee. But it was the one lesson that helped me develop a solid understanding of all the tenses. In fact, just last week, when I had to explain the differences between perfect tenses in the present, past, and future to a new student, I was able to do it without once referring to a grammar book. Aaah, score! 
You can download the lesson plan at the bottom of this post.
The differences in the usage of present perfect tense and present perfect continuous tense are so many that it can sometimes be daunting for both the ESL tutor and ESL student. In fact, though native English speakers can almost always use the correct tenses during speech, they often fumble while constructing written sentences using these tenses. A lot of writers try to do without these tenses as much as possible, which really constricts their writing.
Preparing this lesson was as much of a headache as presenting it. Truth to tell, the lesson did not go too well (according to me) because one older student kept questioning the rules of the differences between the present perfect tense and the present perfect continuous tense. I think she had genuine doubts but she was also just quizzing me to see when I would break. My co-CELTAtians and the tutor who observed the lesson said I explained the difference quite well but I could see that the student was not so satisfied. Well, I couldn’t do much since I had to move on and complete my lesson.. Too bad I couldn’t spend more time clarifying the differences because I had them all written down on cheat sheet with me. He he!
Here’s the cheat sheet I used… I can’t quite remember whether I got this off the internet or in some book. I think it was a combination of both.. I researched extensively in books and on the internet to clarify the difference between the Present Perfect Tense and the Present Perfect Continuous Tense to myself, which is so very important when you’re going to present a grammar concept to ESL students. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – you must have the concepts crystal clear in your own head before you go in front of a class. Try to anticipate all sorts of questions and answer them satisfactorily so you’re not at a loss if you’re in a situation similar to mine.
I’m reproducing the cheat sheet here but the lesson plan is only available for download. Once I’m done creating this table, I’m gonna be in no mood to create another one for the lesson plan.. Sigh if only WordPress had a better text editor, I promise I would’ve done it.
| Present Perfect Tense | Present Perfect Continuous Tense |
|---|---|
| used to emphasize completion of an action e.g. I have walked the dog. | used to emphasize the action, not the completion e.g. I have been walking the dog. |
| used for actions that are naturally instant e.g. Oh no! I’ve broken a glass. | used for actions that naturally have a duration e.g. I have been walking the dog all morning. |
| used for past actions that happened recently and are still in the news e.g. She has won a medal. | used for actions that continue into the present e.g. I have been walking the dog all morning. |
| to state the amount of times an action took place e.g. She has won this competition every year since 1999. | to state the length of time or to state "how long" the action took place. e.g. I have been walking the dog all morning. |
| Used to express that an action is completed or to emphasize the result. e.g. I have walked the dog. | Used to emphasize the duration or continuous course of an action. e.g. I have been walking the dog all morning. |
| The result is more important than the activity itself e.g. I have walked the dog. | The activity is more important than the result. e.g. I have been walking the dog. |
| Grammar rules for the present prefect tense: Subject + Auxiliary verb (has/have) + Auxiliary verb (been) + Main verb (past participle) The main verb uses the verb form past participle/V3. Negative sentences - "not" is added between the Auxiliary Verb and the main verb Questions - the auxiliary verb comes before the subject | Grammar rules for the present prefect continuous tense: Subject + Auxiliary verb (has/have) + Auxiliary verb (been) + Main verb-ing The auxiliary verb "to be" always stays in the V3/past participle form (been). - ing to added to the base form the main verb. Negative statements - add "not" between the auxiliary verb "have" and the the auxiliary verb "been". Questions - the order is change the order the auxiliary verb "have" comes before the subject. |
Click to DOWNLOAD Lesson Plan: Present Perfect Tense and Present Perfect Continuous Tense –>
If you’re a current CELTA student looking for help with your assignments, you might want to peek and see what I wrote in my CELTA assignments. They’re all available for downloads too. Drop me a line if you found this post/blog helpful. Cheers!
Thanks. It was great help. I am a doctor doing CELTA as I am not too well to continue practising medicine. My English is good but this CELTA is too much and I want to get a B pass to teach ina good place.
Hey Preethi, CELTA is very intense but it’s good prep for what comes ahead. The one thing it teaches you, and for which you’ll be thankful later on, is the importance of being well-prepared for your lessons. If you do as much, your classes are bound to be good. Oh, and don’t forget to bring along your sense of humor – it helps with the students
Where are you doing your CELTA?
Hi,
Could you please email me your lesson plan on present perfect tense and present perfect continuous tense.
Thank you.
Elizabeth
Hey Elizabeth, there is a download link on the page.. below the table.
in 2 days I’m gonna my 8th TP with the same TL:) wish me luck
I’m gonna “have” actually;)
Thank you so much for this lesson! I did my CELTA this past summer and am now teaching in Italy; grammar is absolutely not my strongest suit and Italian has a tense that is constructed exactly like present perfect, but used in a completely different manner (simple past). This is a huge help.
would you plz be kind and explain wht is the TL.
Thank you in advance.
Mariam
Thanks for posting this lesson. I really like the fact that it incorporates listening, speaking, reading and writing, and it’s FUN! The dramatic element is excellent and the restaurant theme is very authentic. I had to really think about the answers to the True/False questions, but this was a good exercise. I didn’t see the answers posted and would like to know what they were. Again, thanks so much for a great lesson plan.
I used to think that teaching the present perfect continuous tense was challenging, too, until I realized that this was because I was comparing and contrasting it to the present perfect as you have here (which is probably the instinct of most English teachers, because both forms use “have”.) It’s much easier for students to grasp if you compare it to sentences that use “to be” instead, e.g. “I’m tired (now)” and “I’m working (now)” vs. “I’ve been tired (lately/up until now)” and “I’ve been working”. Since deciding to explain it with this approach, I’ve found this grammar point easier to teach than the present perfect, and I’ve begun to incorporate it quite early on in my beginners’ lessons to great effect. I hope this helps someone!