Reading Personal Stories — Past, Present & Future
🎯 Lesson Goal
Help the student talk about who they are, who they were, and who they want to be, using very simple English sentences.
The student will:
- Read simple personal stories
- See past, present, present continuous, and future clearly
- Learn to explain ideas using because
- Practice talking about life, routine, and dreams
💡 The Idea
We use simple life stories to learn English.
The stories talk about:
- Personal origin
- Family
- Food preferences
- Daily routine and habits
- Work and studies
- Dreams and plans
👉 Read slowly. Try to understand the main idea.
📘 Story 1 — Daniel
Hi, I’m Daniel. I’m from a small city. I lived with my parents and my sister. My family is calm and friendly. We talked a lot at home and we ate together every day.
In the past, I worked in a small store. I liked the job because it was calm, but I didn’t feel very happy. I studied at night and I finished school later. I didn’t travel much because I didn’t have money. I stayed in my city most of the time.
Now, I work as an office assistant. I like my job because I help people. I eat rice, beans, chicken, and fruit every day. I don’t like very spicy food. I wake up early, I go to work, and I study English at night.
At the moment, I am studying English and I am learning new words.
In the future, I’m going to study administration. I’m going to save money. I will work more and I will help my family. I will travel and eat food from other countries.
📘 Story 2 — Camila
Hi, I’m Camila. I’m from a big city. I live with my mother and my grandmother. My family is very important to me. We cook food together and talk every night.
In the past, I studied in a public school. I liked school, but I didn’t like math. I played volleyball after school and I practiced every week. I didn’t work because I studied a lot.
Now, I work as a marketing assistant. I like my job because I talk to people and write simple texts. I eat vegetables, rice, and pasta. I like sweet food, but I don’t eat it every day. I wake up early and I work all day.
Right now, I am working and I am studying English after work.
In the future, I’m going to study communication. I’m going to learn more English. I will travel to other countries and meet new people. I will help my family and have a good life.
📘 Story 3 — Bruno
Hi, I’m Bruno. I’m from a small town. I lived with my parents and my brother. My family is simple and supportive. We watched TV together and talked about our day.
In the past, I worked in an office. I didn’t like the job because it was repetitive. I studied computers and I practiced every day. I didn’t play sports a lot, but I walked every weekend.
Now, I work as a computer assistant. I like my job because I solve problems. I eat bread, eggs, rice, and meat. I don’t like fast food. I wake up early and work on my computer every day.
At the moment, I am studying English and I am improving my skills.
In the future, I’m going to study technology. I’m going to work in a better company. I will buy a house and help my parents. I will have a stable life.
📘 Story 4 — Laura
Hi, I’m Laura. I’m from a medium city. I lived with my parents. My family is loving and organized. We planned our week together.
In the past, I studied literature. I liked books because they helped me relax. I worked part-time and I saved money. I didn’t travel because I studied and worked a lot.
Now, I work as a content writer. I like my job because I write every day. I eat simple food like rice, soup, and vegetables. I like coffee in the morning. I wake up early and work from home.
Right now, I am writing texts and I am studying English online.
In the future, I’m going to write a book. I’m going to study more English. I will travel and learn about new cultures. I will live a calm and happy life.
📘 Story 5 — Rafael
Hi, I’m Rafael. I’m from a big city. I lived with my parents and my sister. My family is active and social. We talked and laughed a lot.
In the past, I worked in a factory. I didn’t like the job because it was tiring. I played basketball after work because it helped me relax. I studied English a little, but I stopped.
Now, I work as a sales assistant. I like my job because I talk to people. I eat rice, meat, and vegetables. I like juice and water. I wake up early and go to work every day.
At the moment, I am practicing English and I am speaking more.
In the future, I’m going to start my own business. I’m going to study sales and English. I will work hard and save money. I will have more free time with my family.
🧠 Pattern to Remember
| Time | Example |
|---|---|
| Past | I worked… / I studied… / I didn’t like… |
| Present | I work… / I eat… / I like… |
| Present Continuous | I am studying… / I am working… |
| Future (going to) | I’m going to study… |
| Future (will) | I will work… |
🚀 Final Challenge — About You
Write about your life. Use all three times.
Start like this:
- Hi, I’m …
- In the past, I …
- Now, I …
- At the moment, I am …
- In the future, I’m going to …
- I will …
👉 Use because at least 3 times.
👉 Use simple sentences.
👉 Don’t worry about mistakes. Just communicate.

Hi, I’m Amândio. I’m a father. I’m a business man. In the past I lived in Portugal. At the moment I live in Brazil. I live in the city Mossoró. In the future I’m going to travel to the USA. I’m going to visit Orlando with my family. In my opinion, this city is amazing. I will visit the parks, I will visit restaurants, and many other places.
Hi, I´m Sonály. I am a doctor, a mother, a wife.
In the past, I studied medicine in Recife. I studied radiology in the IMIP hospital.
At the moment I live in Mossoró and I work at my clinic.
In the future, I am going to travel to the USA. Because of this I am studying English at the moment.
I will visit the parks, the restaurants, and many other places.