Practice Lab · Written Speaking Prep

Timeline Catch-Up

Organize important events and experiences in a clear timeline before having a friendly catch-up conversation with a partner.

Writing Speaking Past events Timeline order Pair work

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Purpose

Order Experiences in a Timeline

You have not talked to your best friend for a long time. Recently, you arranged a meeting to catch up. Both of you have experienced important events, and you want the other person to hear the new stories you have to tell.

Classroom instructions

Students choose their conversation partner. The teacher may adjust pairs if necessary.
The conversation lasts between 5 and 7 minutes.
Each participant keeps the conversation friendly, natural, and pleasant.
Each participant shares experiences in successful chronological order.
The teacher only redirects the conversation if students need support.

Notebook with a visual timeline of personal milestones

Language Support

Useful Time Expressions

Use these expressions to help your listener understand the order of events.

FirstThenAfter thatLater By the time...RecentlySince then EventuallyAt firstIn the end

1Choose 5 events

2Put them in order

3Add feelings

4Add one result

5Ask follow-up questions

Written Model

Teacher and Student Example

The teacher can read this model with one student before the class starts the pair conversation.

Catch-up conversation model

TeacherHi, Alex! It is so good to see you again. I feel like we have not talked properly in months. How have you been?

StudentHi, teacher! I have been busy, but in a good way. First, I finished a short online course about digital design. At first, it was difficult because I had to study after work.

TeacherThat sounds challenging. What happened after that?

StudentAfter that, I helped my cousin create a small logo for her bakery. I was nervous, but she liked it. Since then, I have practiced more because I realized I enjoy creative projects.

TeacherNice. So the course helped you discover something new about yourself.

StudentExactly. Later, I also moved to a new apartment closer to my job. It was stressful at first, but now I save time every morning. Recently, I started going to the gym again because I have more free time.

TeacherThat is a clear timeline: course, first project, new apartment, and healthier routine. What was the biggest change for you?

StudentThe biggest change was my confidence. By the time I finished the logo project, I felt more independent. Now I want to keep learning and maybe build a small portfolio.

TeacherGreat story. You used time expressions and explained how each event changed the next one.

Student Work

Prepare Your Own Timeline

Before speaking

Write five important events from the last few months or years.
Put the events in chronological order.
Add one feeling, one problem, or one result for each event.
Prepare three follow-up questions for your partner.
Practice telling the story in 60 to 90 seconds.

During the conversation

Greet your partner naturally.
Ask what has happened in their life recently.
Listen and ask follow-up questions.
Share your timeline with clear time expressions.
End by comparing which changes were most important.

Teacher note: listen for chronological order, clear linking words, follow-up questions, and enough detail to understand why each event mattered.

Next step

Practice the same topic through listening

After preparing your timeline, listen to a longer conversation between two friends who are also catching up after a long time.

Open listening activity Back to Practice Lab