Start off by writing on the board
What were you like 10 years ago?
It helps if you write some questions such as:
What did you look like?
What were your hobbies?
etc.
Just things to get them thinking.
Give the students about 5 minutes to come up with phrases and vocabulary. As you walk around, take note of what the students are writing and write them on the board.
Now you have a word bank that students came up with and phrases they came up with themselves.
After 5 or so minutes are over, go over the phrases on the board with the students, correct mistakes and explain grammar points.
At this point, show the students a picture of your old self, maybe 10 years ago or whatever. On the board, write 2 things you used to and 2 things you didnt use to do or be. Ask the students if they notice any particular phrase or structure.
I used to xxx
I didnt use to xxx
I group the X used to/didnt use to phrase along with whatever never phrases the students came up with themselves.
Survey
In groups of 4 students have to create a survey of 10 questions using questions like.
Where did you use to
What did you use to
Did you use to
Etc.
Usually I write the first 3 and let them create their own from there. Students are encouraged to use that structure but also the ones they came up with.
After that, students will go around asking other students different questions and writing in the responses.
If students arent motivated, let them know the first person to fill the surveys and questions gets a donut.
Guess who
For the second activity, once students have become familiar with one another. I have them fill out identity cards.
On a card, have each student write their name and:
3 things they used to do
3 things they didnt use to do
2 things about how they look like now
Pick up the cards, shuffle them, and have them sit with a partner. Have each other question one another and they respond based on the answers on the card.
Their objective is to guess who in the room the are talking about.
