Practice Simple Verb Tenses with Damiano David: Creative Song Activity for B2 Students

Ready to engage your Cambridge exam students with authentic music and meaningful storytelling?

Okay, let’s be honest for a second. Verb tense reviews can be… a drag. We’ve all been there, handing out another worksheet, watching our students just go through the motions. There’s often a real disconnect between the grammar on the page and their actual lives.

But what if we could change that? I mean, REALLY change it. What if you could take those same tenses—Past, Present, Future—and connect them directly to your students’ own photos, their own memories?

That’s the whole idea behind this Musical Photo Story lesson I created using Damiano David’s song, “Next Summer.” It’s not just an activity; it’s an experience that transforms tense review into a deeply personal and collaborative storytelling session. By linking their own photos to the song’s themes of relationships and second chances, students don’t just practice grammar; they USE it to express something real.

Look, this whole lesson is built on the philosophy of my BEAT+ Method. It’s all about making language feel authentic and meaningful. We get them working together, communicating about things that matter to them, and suddenly, grammar isn’t just a set of rules anymore. And the best part? While they’re doing this creative, personal work, they’re naturally building the narrative skills they need for exams like the Cambridge series.

It’s that perfect balance of structure and creative freedom, ideal for teens and adults at the B2 level. Honestly, it’s one of those activities that brings so much heart and energy into the classroom. It turns a simple grammar point into something they’ll actually connect with and remember.

Diagram showing how music improves ESL learning through grammar, creativity, collaboration, exam prep, and emotional expression — Using Damiano David’s music to teach English at B2 level — a holistic approach to language learning.

About Damiano David: A Rising Italian Music Star

I want to talk for a minute about Damiano David—yes, the frontman from Måneskin.

Here’s a guy whose parents were flight attendants, so he saw the world from a young age. When he first tried out for the band, they actually told him he was “too pop.” Can you believe it? But he kept at it, and that same unique energy is exactly what led them to win Eurovision in 2021 and connect with millions.

He’s more than just a performer, though. He uses his voice to stand for things—racial equality, LGBT+ rights. He’s got a real conscience.

So, why bring him into the classroom? Because a song like “Next Summer” is packed with real feelings about relationships and regret. It’s authentic stuff, the kind of material that gets students talking about things that matter to them. It’s just a fantastic way to connect grammar to something with a real heartbeat.

Quick ESL Song Lesson Details:

Language level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Learner type: Teens & Adults
Skills: Speaking, writing, critical thinking, collaborative storytelling
Grammar focus: Review of simple tenses (present, past, future) for Cambridge First exam
Vocabulary focus: Emotional language, relationship expressions
Materials:

Digital: Genially presentation, student phones, collaborative Google Doc
Low-tech alternatives: Printed worksheets, whiteboard, poster paper, printed photos Duration: 60-75 minutes
Download your free teaching resources: Next Summer materials zip file: (it contains: Musical Photo Story Worksheet, Cambridge B2 first Writing Checklist)

Digital Tools Setup

Genially Presentation: Interactive guide for the lesson with visual prompts and examples. Access the Genially presentation here

Collaborative Google Doc: Shared document for photos and narratives.. Get the template here (make a copy before editing).

Label sections for each group.
Ensure all students have editing access
Create a table of contents for easy navigation between group sections

Low-Tech Alternatives:

Vintage rotary phone next to smartphone illustrating low-tech vs. digital teaching methods — Engage your students without relying on tech — try these simple, effective alternatives

Instead of Genially: Print key slides or create posters with key phrases.
Instead of Google Doc: Use poster paper for group photo stories.
Instead of digital photos: Students can share printed photos or describe memories in detail

ESL Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify and analyze simple tenses (past, present, future) in authentic song lyrics
Apply evocative language from the song in personal storytelling contexts
Create collaborative narratives connecting personal photos with song themes
Demonstrate improved control of simple tenses in Cambridge-style writing tasks
Evaluate the effectiveness of different narrative techniques in storytelling

Here is the video version of this ESL Song-based Lesson:

**How to Teach ESL with Damiano David’s Next Summer: Instructions**

Step 1. Opening Act (5-10 min)

Digital: Use Genially Slide 1 to introduce the lesson theme / Alternative: Write the theme question on the board: “Have you ever missed someone you once loved?”

Ask students to find a photo on their phone of someone important from their past / Alternative: If students don’t have phones/photos, they can sketch a simple image or describe a memory

In pairs, have students briefly share what their photo represents (without showing it yet)

Pro Tip: Share your own example first to model the activity and create a comfortable atmosphere

Step 2. Lyric Lab (7-10 min)

Digital: Use Genially Slide 2 to display these key phrases from the song with contextual examples: “slipped away” (something valuable lost suddenly) / “dancing with demons in my head” (dealing with difficult thoughts) / “throw it all away” (giving up on something valuable) / “meant to be” (destined to happen) / “under the sun” (everything possible) / “waiting here” (patience, hope for return) / “happier with me” (comparative emotion, nostalgia) / Have students choose 3 phrases they might use in a personal story

Alternative: Write these phrases on the board or prepare a simple handout

Vocabulary Tip: These authentic expressions will help students create more emotionally engaging narratives

Step-by-step instructions for an ESL lyric lab using key phrases from Damiano David’s song.

Step 3. Word Jam (5-7 min)

Divide class into small groups (3-4 students). Call out each phrase from the Lyric Lab

Digital: Groups type sentences in a shared document or in the chat box /Alternative: Groups write sentences on mini-whiteboards or paper

First group with an appropriate sentence gets a point. Award bonus points for correct use of specified simple tenses.

Step 4. Duet Dialogue (10-15 min)

Organize students into groups of 3-4 (use breakout rooms if teaching online).

Each student shares their chosen photo and explains:

Who/what is in the photo – When it was taken – What memory or feeling it evokes

Digital: Each group uploads 2-3 photos to their section of the shared Google Doc /Alternative: Students can display photos on their phones directly to group members / Alternative: For classes without phones, students can describe their photos in detail

Tech Tip: Demonstrate how to upload images to the Google Doc by clicking Insert > Image > Upload from computer/cellphone

Step 5. Scene & Heard (5-10 min)

Digital: Use Genially Slides 3-4 to present the song and lyrics. / Alternative: Write key lyrics on the board or provide printed lyric sheets

First listen: Play the song while displaying key lyrics. Ask students to note down:

Main emotions they hear
Phrases that stand out to them

Second listen: Display all lyrics and ask students to identify tenses used. Facilitate brief discussion: “What’s the singer hoping for? Has this happened to you?“

slide guiding ESL students to analyze tenses and emotions in song lyrics

Step 6. Hook & Tense (10-15 min)

Digital: Use Genially Slide 5 to analyze tenses from the song / Alternative: Create a three-column chart on the board (Past/Present/Future)

Extract example sentences for each tense:

Past Simple: “I thought that we had something good” / “So many things I didn’t say”
Present Simple: “I pretend I’m okay” / “Nobody really understands”
Future Simple: “I’ll be there to lick your tears” / “I’ll know that it was meant to be”

Analyze how tenses create the narrative arc (past relationship → present feelings → future hopes). Grammar Focus: This explicit analysis helps prepare students for Cambridge exam writing tasks

genially slide highlighting past, present, and future tenses in song lyrics for ESL learners. — Use real song lyrics to teach simple tenses and narrative structure — perfect for B2-level students

Step 7. Tense Jam (5-7 min)

Digital: Share worksheet electronically. / Alternative: Distribute printed worksheet with sentences inspired by the song with incorrect tenses.

Students work in pairs to correct the tenses based on context. Examples:

“She will calls me when she feels lonely.” → “She will call me when she feels lonely”
“Last night, I think about you all the time.”→ “”Last night, I thought about you all the time.””

Review answers as a class, discussing why each tense is appropriate.

Assessment Opportunity: Monitor for students who need additional support with tense selection

Step 8. Beyond the Lyrics (15-20 min)

Digital: Direct students to the collaborative Google Doc. /Alternative: Provide each group with poster paper or notebook paper.

Rotate the photos between groups:

Digital: Groups work with photos in different sections of the Google Doc /Alternative: Groups physically exchange phones or printed descriptions /Alternative: Teacher can describe photos to groups without technology.

Task: Create a short narrative connecting these photos, using the song as inspiration. Requirements:

Include at least 3 phrases from the Lyric Lab
Use all three simple tenses (past, present, future)
Write 8-10 sentences that tell a coherent story

Differentiation: Provide sentence starters for groups that need additional support.

Step 9. Spotlight Session (15-20 min)

Digital: Project the collaborative document for all to see./ Alternative: Groups read their narratives aloud or post papers around the room.

Give students 5 minutes to read all narratives.

Digital: Create a quick poll for students to vote for:

Most creative narrative
Best use of song language
Most effective use of tenses

Alternative: Use sticky notes or raised hands for voting.

Discuss what made certain narratives effective and how tenses created emotional impact.

Step 10. Test Track (Homework)

Assign Cambridge-style writing prompt: Write an article for a youth magazine about “Second Chances”

Requirements:

Use all three simple tenses appropriately
Include at least 3 expressions from today’s lesson
Follow Cambridge First writing structure (140-190 words)

Digital: Provide the Cambridge B2 First Writing Checklist as a digital document. /Alternative: Provide printed Cambridge B2 First Writing Checklist for self-assessment.

Why This Works

Diagram showing how song-based activities bridge passive learning with active engagement in ESL classrooms. — Transform ESL grammar practice into an engaging experience using music and collaborative storytelling.

This creative song activity for ESL classroom helps students master simple tenses by connecting grammar with emotional storytelling. The photo-based narrative creation creates deeper engagement than traditional grammar exercises.

The collaborative storytelling approach creates a supportive classroom atmosphere where students would feel comfortable taking risks with language. Learners who typically struggle with tense consistency could benefit from seeing grammar in the context of meaningful personal narratives.

Beyond just reviewing grammar, this interactive song activity for English teachers has the potential to develop critical thinking, digital literacy, and emotional intelligence—skills that extend far beyond the language classroom and prepare students for Cambridge exam success.

Teaching Notes

This time-saving song activity for ESL teachers can be adapted for different classroom settings:

For mixed-level groups: Assign different tenses to different students based on their proficiency
For larger classes: Use a gallery walk format for the Spotlight Session instead of whole-class sharing
For shorter lessons: Focus on Steps 1, 5, 6, and 8, omitting the others

Consider how the song’s emotional journey (past regret → present reflection → future hope) parallels the grammar structure being taught—this connection helps make abstract tense concepts more concrete and memorable for students.

teaching notes damiano david esl lesson plan

Conclusion

🎉 That’s a wrap for this creative song activity for ESL classroom! By connecting personal photos with Damiano David’s evocative lyrics, your students could master simple tenses while creating meaningful narratives that resonate with their own experiences.

Whether you’re teaching in a fully-equipped digital classroom or with just a whiteboard and some paper, this interactive song activity for English teachers adapts beautifully to your teaching environment while maintaining its core potential: making grammar meaningful through emotional connection.

This time-saving song activity for ESL teachers gives you a complete, ready-to-use lesson that develops multiple skills simultaneously while keeping students engaged and motivated.