Simple Present Tense with Action Verbs

Start here. The simple present is the foundation for talking about routines, habits, and everyday facts. You will use it in almost every activity in this path.

Adverbs of Frequency (always, usually, often, sometimes, seldom, never)

Learn how to say how often you do things. These words are essential for describing daily habits and routines naturally. The listening passage follows a man on a memorable first date, with all six frequency adverbs used throughout.

Morning Routine

Listen to Anna and Ben describe their morning habits, from waking up and stretching to grabbing breakfast and rushing out the door. A natural first listening activity for this path, with two common idioms: “rise and shine” and “bright and early.”

Busy as a Bee

This medium-to-high frequency idiom means to be very busy. Sample sentences, a conversation question, and a speaking situation give you plenty of practice using it correctly in real-life contexts.

Daily Schedule

Listen to a man describe his full weekday from waking up to winding down with his family. A natural, relatable conversation with useful vocabulary like “get off work,” “set aside,” and “take care of.”

Evening Routine

Listen to Lisa and Mark, talk through their typical evening habits after a busy day. A natural conversation with the simple present used throughout: eating schedules, cooking routines, and winding down before bed. The lesson also introduces two common idioms: “call it a day” and “hit the sack.”

Simple Future with “be going to”

Learn how to talk about plans and intentions using “be going to.” This structure is essential for discussing what you are going to do this weekend, this week, or any time ahead, and you will hear it often in the listening activities that follow.

Have a Lot on Your Plate

A high-frequency idiom meaning to have many things to do or to feel overwhelmed. Sample sentences and a speaking situation help you practice using it in conversations about busy schedules and daily responsibilities.

Saturday’s Chores

Listen to a father assign household chores to his son before they can go out together. A practical conversation full of everyday verbs like “scrub,” “dust,” “sweep,” and “rake,” with the idioms “lend someone a hand” and “lift a finger.”

Weekend Plans

Listen to Liam invite Alex on a weekend hike. A short, natural conversation for practicing “be going to” and future plans, with two common idioms: “the more, the merrier” and “hang out.”

Weekly Activities

Listen to a father and daughter work through a packed week of school, soccer practice, tutoring, and chores. A step up in pace and complexity, with useful expressions like “catch up,” “chores,” and “ruin my plans.”

Adverbs of Manner (quickly, carefully, loudly, etc.)

After learning how often you do things, learn how you do them. Adverbs of manner add detail and color to everyday descriptions, and they come up constantly in natural speech about routines and daily life.