This game gives students practice using the present-perfect tense. Ask each student to write three "Have you ever..?" questions. For example, "Have you ever been to Spain?" "Have you ever scuba-dived?" or "Have you every seen an elephant?" Divide the class into pairs. One student asks his first question, to which his partner should reply, "Yes, I have." The first student can now ask three follow-up questions of his partner in order to deduce, from his answers and body language, whether his partner is lying. When the students have asked and answered all their questions, they swap partners and repeat the activity.
This game gives students practice using the past-simple tense. Divide the class into groups of five. Each group must write five true questions in the past-simple tense, starting with the word "who" and about someone in their group. For example, "Who went to Germany last year?" or "Who drank so much last week he was sick?" Circulate as the groups work, giving any help as necessary. When each group has finished, ask them to ask their questions to the class. Any student who can give the correct answer wins one point for her team. Take away one point for incorrect answers.
This game gives students practice using the the present-simple tense. Divide the class into pairs. Ask each student to think of something they regularly do, for example, "swim" or "go horse riding." His partner must then try to guess the action by asking up to 20 present-simple questions. For example, "Do you do this every day?" "Do you do this in the morning?" and "Do you like doing this?" When each pair has finished, ask them to swap partners and think of a new action.
This game gives students practice using the present-continuous tense. Ask students to quickly note down, in diary form, their plans for the coming week. Circulate as the students work, ensuring that they have left at least a little time free. After five minutes, ask the students to stand up and find a partner. Students ask questions in the present-continuous tense in order to find a time when they are both free in order to meet. For example, "What are you doing on Friday in the evening?" Their partners answer with appropriate sentences. For example, "I'm working tonight, I'm afraid," "I'm meeting my parents for lunch" or "I'm free. Let's meet!" After five minutes, stop the activity and ask the students to find a new partner to repeat the activity.