Contextualization

The Simple Present is one of the most fundamental and used verb tenses in the English language. It is used to express daily routines, general facts, universal truths, and current personal thoughts and feelings. This verb tense is notable for its unique conjugation, which differs depending on the subject of the verb, being the central theme of our project.

By understanding the Simple Present, you will not only be able to express your daily actions and thoughts but also become more efficient in understanding and communicating more complex information. The Simple Present is the fundamental foundation for the correct use of other verb tenses in the English language.

For native Portuguese speakers, this verb tense may seem strange at first, as it has no direct equivalent in our language. However, with practice and proper usage, the use of the Simple Present can become second nature.

In the globalized world we live in, where English is the lingua franca par excellence, mastering the Simple Present is essential. Whether in international travels, watching a movie without translation, or browsing the internet, you will certainly come across this verb tense.

Furthermore, many standardized English proficiency tests, such as TOEFL and IELTS, assess students' knowledge of the Simple Present. Therefore, mastering this verb tense can open doors to international studies, job opportunities, and cultural interactions.

To delve deeper into the topic of the simple present in English, we recommend consulting the following reliable resources:

1. Book: Murphy, Raymond. English Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press. A classic reference in teaching English grammar.
2. Website: BBC Learning English - Basic Grammar - an excellent resource to explore the basics of English grammar, including the Simple Present.
3. Videos: EngVid Channel on YouTube - a variety of educational videos teaching English grammar, including several on the Simple Present.

# Practical Activity

Activity Title: "A Day in the Life"

Project Objective: Practice using the Simple Present in describing routines in English, exploring the correct use of regular and irregular verbs in this verb tense.

Detailed Project Description: In this project, each group of students (3 to 5 members per group) will be tasked with creating a short video (5-10 minutes) in the style of a "Vlog." This video should portray a typical day in the life of a character from everyday life (it can be a student, a teacher, a professional from a specific field, etc.), using as many verbs in the Simple Present as possible. Students should use their creativity to incorporate different situations in which the simple present is commonly used into their script.

Materials Needed: Video recording equipment (can be a camera, a smartphone, a tablet, etc.), clothing for the character (if necessary), a computer with video editing software (optional), internet access for research and verification of verbs and their conjugations.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Team Formation: Form a group of 3 to 5 students.

2. Character Selection and Script Creation: Use your creativity to choose a character and map out their typical routine. The script should be written entirely in English and employ the Simple Present.

3. Video Recording: The group should record a video depicting the routine of the chosen character. The video should be narrated in English, using the Simple Present.

4. Video Editing: Use the video editing software to add English subtitles to your video, ensuring that all sentences are in the Simple Present.

5. Report Writing: Each group should write a report detailing the project process. This report should include an Introduction explaining the project's objective and the chosen character, a Development section detailing the creation and recording process of the video, Conclusions on what was learned throughout the project, and the Bibliography used.

Project Submission: In addition to the video, students must submit a written report (2 to 3 pages) presenting:

• Introduction: Should explain the project's objective, the character's choice, the importance of the Simple Present in the English language, and its real-world application.

• Development: Here, the creation process should be explained, including the research, planning, recording, and editing stages of the video. It should also include a section where students explain the use of the Simple Present in the script and how they ensured the correct verb conjugation.

• Conclusion: Should include the main learnings throughout the project, how students feel more confident with the Simple Present, and how this will influence their future English studies.

• Bibliography: Should list all resources consulted during the project, including books, websites, videos, etc.