Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 555
Topics
Verb tenses
Reacting to information
Prepare Before Class
Photos showing some vocabulary (from the
Resources section)
Learning Strategy
Find Practice Opportunities
Goals
Grammar: Compare the present perfect verb
tense with the past and present tenses
Speaking: Present perfect, present, and past
verb tenses
Pronunciation: Reduced forms of “has” and
“have” in the present perfect verb tense
Level 1
Lesson 49
Operation Spy!
Day 1
Introduce the Lesson Topic
Tell students, “Today we will learn about verbs. We will learn how to decide which verb tense
to use.”
Ask students to think about the past, present, and future in their language. Describe how
their language might be dierent to English.
Say, “Today, we will learn how Americans use the present, present perfect, and past verb
tenses in speaking.”
Teach Key Words
Have students listen to the Speaking Practice video and say the new words for this lesson
or repeat them after you.
Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 556
Speaking Practice
After the key words, the video teaches the present perfect, present, and past verb tenses.
Say, “Now we are going to practice some more.”
Write down a few verbs on the board, such as “ask” or “tell.”
Speaking Practice Script – Lesson 49
1. In Lesson 48, you learned about the
present perfect verb tense. Remember, it is
the auxiliary verb “have/has” plus the past
participle form of a verb.
In this lesson, you hear the same verb in the
present verb tense, the past verb tense, and
the present perfect verb tense. Anna’s boss,
Ms. Weaver, uses the present verb tense:
Ms. Weaver: Yes, spies sometimes sneak
down air ducts.
Then Anna uses the present perfect verb
tense:
Anna: I have never snuck down an air
duct.
After Anna sneaks down the air duct, she
uses the past verb tense to tell Ms. Weaver
that she did it.
Anna: I did it! I sneaked down an air duct.
Notice that the past tense form of “sneak”
can be either “sneaked” or “snuck.”
2. For irregular verbs, the past tense
verb form may be dierent from the past
participle.
For example, drive - drove - driven
Ashley drives a small car. (present)
Anna and Marsha drove across the country.
(past)
Anna and Ashley have driven to work
together since last month. (present perfect)
3. For regular verbs, the past participle is
the same as the past verb tense form. Here
is the same pattern with a regular verb,
“ask”:
I ask many questions in English class.
(present)
The teacher asked me to stop asking so
many questions. (past)
I have asked the teacher about the
homework many times. (present perfect)
4. Now you try it.
Try making sentences with the irregular verb
“speak.” The past tense is “spoke” and the
past participle is “spoken.”
Speak:
I ________ English every day. (speak)
Speak:
My friend and I ________ English yesterday
after school. (spoke)
Speak:
I ______ ________ English with my friends
many times since we began using Let’s
Learn English. (have spoken)
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Day 2
Main Video Script – Lesson 49
1. Listen:
Spies sometimes sneak down air ducts.
Speak:
I _____ ______ snuck down an air duct. (have
never)
2. Listen:
I’ve never cracked a code before!
I _____ _____ cracked a code before! (I’ve
never)
Ask students to each pick a verb, and then write sentences in the present perfect, present,
and past tenses, just like in the video. Then ask them to share their sentences with a
partner.
If class time remains, ask several students to share their sentences with the whole class.
Present the Conversation
Tell students that the video will show Anna learn all she can about spying. Play the video or
ask a few students to read the conversation.
Tell students to respond when there are pauses in the video.
Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 558
Pronunciation Practice Video Script – Lesson Number 49
1. In this lesson, you hear Anna using the
present perfect verb tense. She pronounces
the complete word “has” when she uses this
tense.
Anna: It is no secret that Washington, D.C.
has spies. The International Spy Museum
has created an amazing collection of spy
things! My boss, Ms. Weaver, has sent me
here ... on a mission!
Sometimes, we do not pronounce the
complete words “has” or “have.”At those
times, you will only heat the /s/ or /v/ sound
in the present perfect verb tense.
Anna: I’ve never cracked a code before.
... I’ve cracked the code!
2. In this conversation, you hear the short
form of “has.”
Wow! You are wearing a big coat. Is it cold
outside?
The weather’s changed today. It’s gotten
really cold.
The complete present perfect verb forms
are: “The weather has changed” and “It has
gotten really cold.”
3. Now you try it. Use the short form of the
present perfect to answer this question:
Listen:
Has this lesson helped you to learn about
spies?
Speak:
Yes, ____ _______ me to learn about spies.
____ learned about missions and sneaking
and codes. (it’s helped, I’ve)
Pronunciation Practice
The Pronunciation Practice video teaches how Americans pronounce the reduced forms of
“has” and “have’ in the present perfect verb tense.
Say, “Now we will practice this some more.”
Ask students to write two sentences using the words “has” and “have.”
Then, students should read their sentence to a partner, using the short form of “has” or
“have.”. The partner should be able to hear which one it is.
If time remains in class, ask several students to read their sentences in front of the class.
Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 559
Day 3
Learning Strategy
Tell students that in today’s lesson, they will learn to Find Practice Opportunities.
Give an example. “Learning a musical instrument requires practice. Doing sports requires
practice. Even relaxing exercises like yoga are better with practice. We can use the same
idea when learning a language. We must nd times to practice if we want to get better.”
Activity
Say, “Now we are going to practice a little more.”
Give students copies of the activity sheet. Tell students they are going to use the words
to complete the timelines. Then tell students they should ask three classmates about
how they practice English. They should write what their classmates say in the remaining
timelines on the sheet.
If time remains at the end of class, ask several students to share their timelines.
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Listening Quiz
Give each student a paper copy of the listening quiz. Play each question’s video and pause
for students to answer. Ask students to choose the correct answer.
If not using the video, read the sentences below aloud.
1. Ms. Weaver says, “Look, Anna … I mean, Agent Flamingo, I want you to learn all you
can about spying.”
2. Anna says, “I have never snuck down an air duct. It’s dark and small. I’m afraid of
dark, small places.”
3. Ms. Weaver says, “Umm … have you ever cracked a code?”
Anna says, “No.”
Ms. Weaver says, “Well, go learn. Spies use their brains.”
4. Ms. Weaver says, “Agent Flamingo, now answer this question: Do spies have to be
in good shape?
Anna says, “Yes,” Agent Peacock! Spies have to be in really good shape! Can you
hear me?”
5. Ms. Weaver says, “Great. Great. Now, I have another very important mission for you.”
Anna says, “Got it. See you back at H.Q.!”
Ms. Weaver says, “Yummy! You brought my lunch! Thanks, Agent Flamingo!”
Collect the papers or ask students to trade papers and check the answers together.
Writing
Discuss the key words that may be used for the topic. Write some of them on the board for
students to use in their written work. Write the writing topic on the board:
Have you ever thought about doing a job that is dierent from the one you have now, or
the one you think you will have when you nish school? Would it be more fun or more
exciting?
Day 4
Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 561
Resources
Conversation
Anna: It is no secret that Washington, D.C. has spies. Well, it should be a
secret because spying is secret. But it’s not a secret. There’s even a spy
museum! The International Spy Museum has created an amazing collection
of spy things! And today, we will see them! My boss, Ms. Weaver, has sent
me here … on a mission!
Ms. Weaver: Hello, Anna, are you there?
Anna: That’s her. Yes, Agent Peacock. This is Agent Flamingo, reporting for duty.
Ms. Weaver: Agent what? Look, Anna … I mean, Agent Flamingo, I want you to learn all
you can about spying.
Anna: You mean, collect intelligence?
Ms. Weaver: Yeah, it’s for our new show -- “D.C. Secrets.”
Anna: You’ve got it, Agent Peacock. The mission is safe with me.
Ms. Weaver: Oh, okay, great. Just be back by noon.
Anna: Agent Peacock, I’m at an air duct!
Ms. Weaver: Yes, spies sometimes sneak down air ducts.
Anna: I have never snuck down an air duct. It’s dark and small. I’m afraid of dark,
small places.
Ms. Weaver: You can do it, Agent Flamingo. You know, spies aren’t afraid of a little
darkness.
Anna: Right. It’s just an air duct -- a dark, small air duct. Okay. I’m doing it,
Agent Peacock! I am sneaking down a long, dark, small air duct. I’m having
a little trouble breathing.
Ms. Weaver: Just keep going, Agent Flamingo. Think of the team!
Anna: Okay, I will think of the team. I’m thinking of the team, Agent Peacock! I did
it! I did it! I sneaked down an air duct. That was a little uncomfortable.
Ms. Weaver: Good!
Anna: What’s the next mission?
Ms. Weaver: Umm … have you ever cracked a code?
Anna: No.
Ms. Weaver: Well, go learn. Spies use their brains.
Anna: Got it! I’ve never cracked a code before. Let’s try, Agent Flamingo! This is
really hard. I’m still trying to crack the code. I’ve cracked the code! I’ve
cracked the code, Agent Peacock! My brain really hurts.
Ms. Weaver: Great. Umm, Agent Flamingo, now answer this question: Do spies have to
be in good shape?
Anna: “Yes,” Agent Peacock! Spies have to be in really good shape! Can you hear
me?
Ms. Weaver: You’re breaking up, Flamingo.
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Anna: The International Spy Museum is awesome! Agent Peacock, I completed
the mission!
Ms. Weaver: Great. Great. Now, I have another very important mission for you.
Anna: Got it. See you back at H.Q.!
Ms. Weaver: Yummy! You brought my lunch! Thanks, Agent Flamingo!
Anna: Mission completed. Agent Peacock!
(Amelia makes a face.)
Ms. Weaver: Don’t ask.
Special thanks go out to the International Spy Museum for letting us lm in the museum!
Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 563
Key Words
agent - n. a person who tries to get secret information about another country or
government
air duct - n. a duct or pipe for air to ow through to the rooms of a building
brain - n. the organ of the body in the head that controls functions, movements,
sensations, and thoughts
breathe - v. to move air into and out of your lungs
code - n. a set of letters, numbers or symbols that is used to secretly send messages to
someone
collection - n. a group of interesting or beautiful objects brought together in order to show
or study them
complete - v. to nish making or doing (something)
crack - v. to nd an answer or solution to (something)
duty - n. something that is done as part of a job
amingo - n. a tall wading bird with mainly pink or scarlet plumage and long legs and neck
H.Q. - abbrev. headquarters - n. a place from which something (such as a business or a
military action) is controlled or directed
intelligence - n. secret information that a government collects about an enemy or possible
enemy
mission - n. a task or job that someone is given to do
operation - n. a set of planned actions for a particular purpose
peacock - n. a male peafowl, which has very long tail feathers that it can spread like a fan
secret - n. a fact or piece of information that is kept hidden from other people
shape - n. a physically strong and healthy condition
sneak - v. to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
spy - n. a person who tries secretly to get information about a country or organization for
another country or organization
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Quiz - Level 1, Lesson 49 - Operation Spy!
Listen. Circle the letter of the correct answer.
1. What does Ms. Weaver want?
a. She wants to go on a mission.
b. Ms. Weaver wants Anna to learn about
spying.
c. She wants to nd a amingo.
d. Ms. Weaver wants to tell Anna secrets
about D.C.
4. What does Anna tell Ms. Weaver?
a. She cannot hear what Ms. Weaver said.
b. Spies must be in good shape.
c. She broke her spy phone.
d. Ms. Weaver should be in good shape.
2. Why is Anna afraid?
a. Anna is afraid someone will catch her.
b. She doesn’t think Ms. Weaver will nd
her.
c. Anna has never been in an air duct.
d. She doesn’t want to be a spy.
5. What did Ms. Weaver want Anna to
do?
a. What did Ms. Weaver want Anna to do?
b. Write about the Spy Museum.
c. Return to the Spy Museum.
d. Go to lunch with Amelia.
3. What is Anna’s mission?
a. To think like Agent Peacock
b. To learn to follow orders
c. To pretend to be someone else
d. To solve a secret code
Let’s Learn English Lesson 49 565
