Telling a Short Story

Optional support — your core lesson stays exactly as it is.

🧩 Supplementary Practice

Extra practice — Telling a Short Story

Need the words to stick? Recognise, recall, then use them.

Extra support for language you've already met.

Step 1 · Let's Understand

Linkers & short narratives — words & phrases

Recognise it, remember it, then use it.

Recognise the meaning

Recognise

Match each word with its meaning.

first

then

after that

finally

and

but

because

Answer, then check.

Group the words

Notice

Group the linkers.

Orderfirst · then · after that · next · finally · in the end
Reason / Contrastbecause · but · and
Feelings / Dramasuddenly · luckily · unfortunately

Words in real phrases

Chunks

Say each one aloud. Copy the rhythm.

First, I woke up.

first

Then I had a shower.

then

After that, I left home.

after that

Finally, I went to sleep.

finally

Next, we visited the museum.

Can you remember?

Recall

Say the word first, then check.

Use it

Write 3 sentences about you using words from linkers & short narratives.

Step 2 · Let's Practise

Extra speaking practice

Model first, then say it yourself.

Model language

Chunks

Listen, then say each phrase twice.

First,…

Then / After that,…

Suddenly,…

Luckily / Unfortunately,…

In the end / Finally,…

Guided speaking

Speak

Pairs: tell your partner a short story (1 minute). Then your partner asks 2 follow-up questions ('Why?', 'What happened next?').

Use: "First,…"
Use: "Then / After that,…"
Use: "Suddenly,…"
Use: "Luckily / Unfortunately,…"

Model answer

Last summer I had a great day. First, I went to the beach with my friends. Then we had ice cream. After that, we played volleyball. Suddenly, it started to rain. Luckily, we found a small café. We had pizza and laughed a lot. In the end, it

Complete the conversation

Practise

Choose the natural reply.

B: …
B: …
B: …

Answer, then check.

Challenge

Speak

Now do it again with no notes. Speak for 60 seconds.

Talk about linkers & short narratives without stopping.

Step 2 · Let's Practise

Common difficulties

The parts learners usually find hard in this lesson.

Pronunciation: Pausing between events

Chunks

Make a short PAUSE after each linker. This makes your story easier to follow. 'First, … Then, … After that, …'

First, I got up.

Then, I had coffee.

After that, I went to work.

Finally, I came home.

Tricky ones — say it, then check

Recall

These are the parts beginners often get wrong.

Common difficulties

Practise

Slow down and choose carefully.

'Because' gives…
'Finally' is used…

Answer, then check.

Step 3 · Let's Use It

Linking past events

Strengthen the grammar from this lesson — a different route into it.

Quick explanation

Understand

Use linkers to put events in ORDER: first / then / after that / next / finally. Use 'because' for a reason and 'but' for a contrast.

First, I got up at 7.
Then I had breakfast.
After that, I went to work.

Notice the pattern

Notice

Read the sentences. What is the same in each one?

First, I got up at 7.
Then I had breakfast.
After that, I went to work.
Finally, I came home and slept.

Choose the right form

Practise

One answer only. Take your time.

___ , I had breakfast.
I was happy ___ I won.
I went out, ___ I came home early.
___ , I went to bed.

Answer, then check.

Fix the mistake

Common mistakes

Each sentence has one wrong word. Write it correctly.

Finally , I got up.

I was happy but I passed the test.

It rained, because we had an umbrella.

Build the sentence

Build it

Put the words in the right order.

First,Igotupat7

ThenIhadbreakfast

Afterthat,Iwenttowork

Answer, then check.

Make it yours

Use it

Write 2–3 true sentences about you using linking past events.

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