Lesson 1 – The Simple Present: Introduction

Explanation

We use the simple present tense for:

1. Habits and routines → actions we do regularly.
   • I drink café de olla every morning.
   • Students at UANL usually study from Monday to Friday.
2. General truths/facts → things that are always true.
   • Monterrey is in the north of Mexico.
   • The sun rises in the east.
3. Schedules and timetables → events that are fixed.
   • The bus leaves at 7:00 a.m.
   • The Tigres play at 9:00 p.m.

Structure

• Affirmative: Subject + base verb (+s/es for he/she/it)
• Negative: Subject + do/does + not + base verb
• Question: Do/Does + subject + base verb

Remember: Only he/she/it gets -s or -es.

Examples (Monterrey context)

• I study at UANL.
• She studies architecture.
• They don’t eat cabrito.
• Do you take the Metrorrey to school?

Guided Practice

Fill in the blanks:

1. My friend ___ (study) medicine at UANL.
2. We ___ (not / go) to classes on Sundays.
3. ___ you ___ (watch) Rayados games?
4. The bus to San Pedro ___ (leave) at 7:00 a.m.
5. Ana ___ (live) in San Nicolás.

Freer Practice

Write 5 sentences about your weekly routine. Use at least one negative and one question.

Lesson 2 – Habits and Routines in Monterrey

Explanation

The simple present is common for daily routines. We often use adverbs of frequency:

• Always (100%)
• Usually (80%)
• Often (60%)
• Sometimes (40%)
• Rarely (20%)
• Never (0%)

Examples

• I usually drink café de olla in the morning.
• She often eats cabrito with her family.
• We sometimes visit Parque Fundidora.
• He never drives downtown at rush hour.

Guided Practice

Choose the best adverb:

1. UANL students ___ wake up early. (never / usually)
2. People in Monterrey ___ eat tacos on Fridays. (always / rarely)
3. We ___ take the Metrorrey on Sundays. (sometimes / never)
4. My family ___ watches Tigres games. (always / sometimes)

Freer Practice

Write 6 sentences about your habits:

• 3 about school/work.
• 3 about free time or food.

Mini-Test (Multiple Choice)

1. He ___ (always / never / sometimes) eats tacos de guisado at UANL.
2. They ___ (drive / drives) to San Pedro.
3. We ___ (don’t / doesn’t) usually eat cabrito.
4. ___ (Do / Does) you wake up early for classes?
5. My sister ___ (studies / study) medicine at UANL.

Lesson 3 – Facts and General Truths

Explanation

We use the simple present for permanent facts.

Examples

• The Cerro de la Silla is in Monterrey.
• Mexico celebrates Independence Day on September 16.
• Cacao comes from Mexico.

Guided Practice

Mark T (true) or F (false):

1. Monterrey is the capital of Mexico.
2. The sun rises in the east.
3. UANL is in Monterrey.
4. Cabrito is popular in Monterrey.
5. Día de los Muertos happens in July.

Freer Practice

Write 4 true statements about Mexico in the simple present.

Mini-Test

Choose the correct verb:

1. The mountains ___ (is / are) high.
2. Mexico ___ (celebrates / celebrate) Día de los Muertos.
3. Monterrey ___ (has / have) two famous football teams.
4. The sun ___ (rise / rises) in the west.
5. UANL ___ (offer / offers) many programs.

Lesson 4 – Schedules and Timetables

Please visit Present Simple for Scheduled Events – Inglés con Joe for this lesson.

Lesson 5 – Negatives and Questions

Explanation

• Negative: do/does not + verb
• Question: Do/Does + subject + verb

Examples

• She doesn’t eat cabrito.
• Do you live in Monterrey?
• He doesn’t watch Rayados games.

Guided Practice

Change into negatives:

1. She studies architecture. → She ___ architecture.
2. They eat tacos every day. → They ___ tacos every day.

Ask questions:

1. You live in San Nicolás. → ___ you ___ in San Nicolás?
2. She studies medicine. → ___ she ___ medicine?

Freer Practice

Write 4 negative sentences about your life and 2 questions you could ask a classmate.

Mini-Test

1. He ___ play soccer on weekdays. (don’t / doesn’t)
2. ___ you take the Metro? (Do / Does)
3. My sister ___ study law. (don’t / doesn’t)
4. ___ she live in Monterrey? (Do / Does)
5. We ___ speak French. (don’t / doesn’t)

Lesson 6 – Common Errors and Exceptions

Rules

• Third-person singular: add -s, -es, -ies.
• Spelling: study → studies, fly → flies.
• Irregular: have → has.

Examples

• He studies at UANL.
• She flies to Cancún once a year.
• He has two brothers.

Guided Practice

Choose the correct form:

1. She ___ (study / studies) medicine.
2. He ___ (have / has) many friends.
3. The Metro ___ (open / opens) at 5:00 a.m.
4. They ___ (watch / watches) Tigres matches.
5. My sister ___ (fly / flies) to CDMX often.

Freer Practice

Write 5 sentences with he/she/it. Use different verbs.

Mini-Test

Correct the mistakes:

1. He play soccer.
2. She have a big family.
3. The class start at 7:30.
4. Ana live in San Pedro.
5. My father work in UANL.

Lesson 7 – Integrated Practice

Reading

A Day in the Life of Ana (UANL Student):
Ana studies at UANL. She usually wakes up at 6:00 a.m. and takes the Metrorrey to the university. Her first class starts at 7:30 a.m. She often eats tacos de guisado with her friends. In the evening, Ana studies at the library or goes to Parque Fundidora. On weekends, she sometimes watches Tigres matches with her family.

Questions

1. Where does Ana study?
2. How does she go to UANL?
3. What time does her class start?
4. What does she often eat?
5. What does Ana do on weekends?

Writing

Write a short paragraph (7–10 sentences) about your daily routine. Mention:

• School or work
• Food
• Transport
• Family time or hobbies