Learners cope with routine tasks and exchanges. They can talk about the past and the future, compare things, and describe their background and immediate environment in short connected sentences.
Printable one-to-one lesson plan
First conditional
Learn the first conditional (if + present, will + verb) for real future possibilities: “If the rain starts, we’ll move inside.” Also unless and when. Free exercises.
Use after the complete A2 sequence, not as a lesson quiz.
Open diagnostic →15–20 minutes optional: Tutor-read open condition, expected time, exception, predicted plan, weaker possibility, and imperative-result listening check · Five-minute next-day condition form, unless exception, and weaker-result retrieval
Derived from this lesson’s source
Lesson-specific teaching brief
This is not a second lesson registry. The plan reads the same native content that produces the learner page.
What the learner should do
Learn the first conditional (if + present, will + verb) for real future possibilities: “If the rain starts, we’ll move inside.” Also unless and when. Free exercises.
What must become clear
Can-do: By the end, you can state an open future condition, choose a prediction, plan, possibility, permission, or instruction as its result, order and punctuate both clauses, distinguish if from expected-time when , and use unless for an exception.
High-value friction points
- If it rains, we’ll move inside.Use present rains in the core future condition; keep will in the planned result.
- Unless the inspection runs late, we’ll open at nine.For the intended meaning, replace if the inspection does not run late with unless the inspection runs late.
- If the delivery arrives early, put the boxes in storage.Future-reference present simple still agrees with its subject: the delivery arrives.
Protect these lesson moments
- Three checks from earlier lessons
- Discovery check: identify the clause’s job
- Drill 1: complete the core form
- Drill 2: choose the result purpose
- Drill 3: choose the marker and framing
Learner production
Ask before briefing: Ask two What will you do if...? questions about fictional delays or changes. Give one firm plan and one weaker possible result with might .
- Final production: give a 45–60 second fictional contingency briefing. Include two open if conditions, one expected when event, one unless exception, one planned result, one weaker possibility, one permission, and one instruction. Use condition-first and result-first order at least once each.
- Reframe one event: Present the same arrival first with when because the schedule treats it as expected, then with if...by because meeting a deadline remains open. Explain how the speaker’s framing changes.
Carry this language into the next session
Retrieve First conditional in one true sentence at the next lesson.
Tutor-only contrastive support
L1 Transfer Lens
Test a pattern. Do not label a learner. Use this only after the learner’s actual production gives you evidence.
Select a first language to reveal only the contrasts relevant to this lesson.
Brazilian Portuguese → English
One pattern to test
Use past form to signal present distance
- Possible transfer
If I have more time, I would study more.
- English rebuild
If I had more time, I would study more.
Why it can happen: Portuguese and English do not signal hypothetical distance in exactly the same way. In an English second conditional, the past form in the if-clause marks the situation as unreal or remote now; it does not locate the situation in past time.
Natural English:
- If I worked remotely, I would travel more.
- What would you change if you were the manager?
Russian → English
One pattern to test
Use the present after when and if for the future
- Possible transfer
When I will arrive, I will call you.
- English rebuild
When I arrive, I’ll call you.
Why it can happen: Russian uses a future form inside a future time or condition clause, as in когда я приеду. English keeps the future meaning in the main clause and uses the present simple after when, if, as soon as, before, after, and until.
Natural English:
- If the client agrees, we’ll start next week.
- I’ll send you the file as soon as I get to the office.
Ukrainian → English
One pattern to test
Use the present after when and if for the future
- Possible transfer
When I will finish, I will call you. / If it will rain, we stay home.
- English rebuild
When I finish, I’ll call you. / If it rains, we’ll stay home.
Why it can happen: In Ukrainian, a clause beginning with коли or якщо uses a future verb when it refers to the future, as in коли я закінчу. English time and condition clauses with when, if, after, before, and as soon as use the present tense for future meaning, while the main clause carries will.
Natural English:
- I’ll send you the file as soon as I get back to the office.
- If the flight is late, we’ll take a taxi.
Czech → English
One pattern to test
Use the present after when and if for future events
- Possible transfer
When I will arrive, I will call you. / If it will rain, we stay home.
- English rebuild
When I arrive, I’ll call you. / If it rains, we’ll stay home.
Why it can happen: Czech marks future time inside clauses with až, když, and jestli, using a perfective verb or bude: až přijedu, jestli bude pršet. English keeps the future in the main clause only. After when, if, as soon as, before, and after, a future event normally takes the present simple.
Natural English:
- I’ll send you the file as soon as I get to the office.
- If the train is late, I’ll take a taxi.
French → English
One pattern to test
Use the present after when for future time
- Possible transfer
When I will arrive, I will call you.
- English rebuild
When I arrive, I’ll call you.
Why it can happen: French uses the future tense after quand, dès que, and lorsque when the action is in the future. English uses the present simple in these time clauses, as soon as, before, after, and until included, and keeps will only in the main clause.
Natural English:
- I’ll send you the slides as soon as I get back.
- Let’s wait until everyone arrives.
Italian → English
One pattern to test
Use the present after when and if for the future
- Possible transfer
When I will arrive, I will call you. / If I will have time, I’ll help.
- English rebuild
When I arrive, I’ll call you. / If I have time, I’ll help.
Why it can happen: Italian can use the future tense inside a time or condition clause that refers to the future: quando arriverò, se avrò tempo. English uses the present simple in clauses after when, if, as soon as, before, and until, and keeps will for the main clause.
Natural English:
- I’ll send you the slides as soon as I get back.
- If it rains tomorrow, we’ll eat inside.
Use while teaching
Operational teaching notes
Choose a route before class, but change it when the learner’s production gives you better evidence.
Ask before explaining
- Which examples in “Three checks from earlier lessons” express the same core meaning?
- How would you explain this decision in your own words: Can-do: By the end, you can state an open future condition, choose a prediction, plan, possibility, permission, or instruction as its result, order and punctuate both clauses, distinguish if from expected-time when , and use unless for an exception.
- What needs to change in this repair, and why: If it rains, we’ll move inside.
Correct for the stage
- Controlled work: correct immediately, then require the complete repaired sentence.
- Fluency building: note repeated errors and reformulate after the learner finishes the thought.
- Communication: interrupt only when meaning breaks down or the target decision is the lesson’s main evidence.
Retrieve, do not reteach
Retrieve First conditional in one true sentence at the next lesson.
Short, core, or extended
Choose the route
All three routes end in learner production. More time means more contrast and transfer, not a longer explanation.
Short route
Retrieve for 3 minutes. Notice and discover for 8. Use the two most diagnostic tasks from Three checks from earlier lessons and Discovery check: identify the clause’s job for 12. Protect 9 minutes for Learner production, then reflect for 3.
Core route
Follow the six-stage sequence below. Reduce repeated controlled items when accuracy is already stable, but keep the nearest useful contrast and final production.
Stretch route
Add Tutor-read open condition, expected time, exception, predicted plan, weaker possibility, and imperative-result listening check · Five-minute next-day condition form, unless exception, and weaker-result retrieval, then repeat the communication task with a new situation or stricter success criteria.
50–60 minutes core working plan
Session sequence
Protect the final communication and reflection time. If the learner needs more support, reduce the number of controlled items instead of removing production.
- 5 min
Retrieve
Activate what the learner already controls and check any prerequisite language.
Teacher move: Open with the first practice route: Three checks from earlier lessons · Discovery check: identify the clause’s job · Drill 1: complete the core form.
- 6–8 min
Notice
Let the learner observe meaning and form in a small sample before naming the rule.
Teacher move: Keep the noticing conversation anchored to this decision: Can-do: By the end, you can state an open future condition, choose a prediction, plan, possibility, permission, or instruction as its result, order and punctuate both clauses, distinguish if from expected-time when , and use unless for an exception.
- 8–10 min
Discover
Connect form, meaning, use, word order, and the nearest useful contrast.
Teacher move: Test the learner’s explanation against this repair: If it rains, we’ll move inside. Use present rains in the core future condition; keep will in the planned result.
- 12–15 min
Build + drill
Move from accurate choices to faster retrieval and sentence construction.
Teacher move: Prioritize these lesson tasks: Three checks from earlier lessons · Discovery check: identify the clause’s job · Drill 1: complete the core form · Drill 2: choose the result purpose. Reduce repetitions if needed, but keep the final production time.
- 12–15 min
Communicate
Use the target language for a real adult purpose the learner cannot complete by copying.
Teacher move: Learner production: Ask before briefing: Ask two What will you do if...? questions about fictional delays or changes. Give one firm plan and one weaker possible result with might .
- 3–5 min
Reflect
Make progress visible and choose one specific next use.
Teacher move: Retrieve First conditional in one true sentence at the next lesson.
Tutor-only source
Listening scripts
Read these lines from the tutor plan while the learner lesson remains on screen. Each clip names the learner item it supports.
Tutor-read open condition, expected time, exception, predicted plan, weaker possibility, and imperative-result listening check
- Clip 1
Read: If the rain starts before nine, we’ll move check-in inside.
Supports: How does Clip 1 frame the rain?
- Clip 2
Read: When the coordinator arrives at eight, she’ll open the office.
Supports: What does when communicate in Clip 2?
- Clip 3
Read: Unless the inspection runs late, the doors will open at nine.
Supports: What can prevent the nine o’clock opening in Clip 3?
- Clip 4
Read: If the rain starts, we’ll move check-in inside.
Supports: What planned result follows the condition in Clip 4?
- Clip 5
Read: If traffic is heavy, the driver might arrive late.
Supports: What does might contribute in Clip 5?
- Clip 6
Read: If the key doesn’t arrive, call the coordinator.
Supports: What instruction does Clip 6 give?
Keep only useful evidence
After-lesson notes
These notes are for deliberate tutor records or printing. Nothing is stored in the learner’s browser.
The learner can now…
Write one observable use of the target language.
Still needs support with…
Record one repeated error, contrast, or point of hesitation.
Next retrieval prompt
Write one short prompt the learner will answer at the next session.
Anonymous live-lesson evidence
Learner pilot worksheet
A2 · First conditional
Pilot 1 of 30 recorded · 3 remaining
Date
Approximate starting level
Core lesson time
Starting evidence
What did the learner already control? What was the first misconception, hesitation, or contrast that mattered?
Did the principle become clear?
Can-do: By the end, you can state an open future condition, choose a prediction, plan, possibility, permission, or instruction as its result, order and punctuate both clauses, distinguish if from expected-time when , and use unless for an exception.
Did the first hint help?
Record the first item that caused difficulty and whether the contextual hint led to self-correction before the full repair appeared.
Could the learner do the outcome?
Learn the first conditional (if + present, will + verb) for real future possibilities: “If the rain starts, we’ll move inside.” Also unless and when. Free exercises.
Listen for: The learner uses the target language independently for a real purpose.
What remained available?
If possible, check before rereading in the next session. Record what returned independently and what still required a cue.
Keep, revise, or investigate?
Note any explanation the tutor still had to supply, the smallest useful revision, and whether another pilot should test the same issue.