Before It Was… Now It Is

How to use this activity:

Individual lesson (1:1)
- The teacher introduces one or more prompt cards with everyday situations.
- The student reads the situation and describes how it has changed over time using the model Before… now….
- The teacher asks follow-up questions (e.g. “Why?”, “Is it better now?”) and encourages the student to expand their answers with examples.

Pair / Group work (including breakout rooms)
- The teacher gives one or more prompt cards to each pair or group.
- Students work in pairs or small groups (2–4 students).
- They take turns reading their prompts and describing how the situation was different before and how it is now.
Students can ask simple follow-up questions (e.g. “Why?”, “Is it better now?”).
- They can also add their own ideas or examples.

Class sharing
- Invite some students or groups to share their ideas with the class.
- Other students can ask simple questions or say if they agree.
- Focus on clear speaking and correct use of Before… now… structures.

Extra ideas
- Add a time element: students say when the change happened (e.g. “10 years ago”, “recently”).
- Students rank the changes from “big change” to “small change”.
- Students find one example from their own life and share it.