Level: A2/B1.1 - Elementary/Pre-Intermediate

Time: 60 minutes

Ah, the classic "I have ____ years" mistake—the one ESL teachers in Spain correct daily, no matter the level. In Spanish, age is expressed with the verb tener (to have), as in "Tengo 25 años", which literally translates to "I have 25 years." But in English, that direct translation really clangs.

Even when students do get the structure right, they almost always miss the contraction, and include "years old" at the end—"I am 25 years old"—which, while correct, sounds overly formal in everyday conversation.

So, we decided it was time to nip this in the bud early and help our students sound more fluent and natural. That’s why we’ve put together a free lesson plan designed to eliminate this error—complete with controlled grammar exercises, three engaging speaking tasks, and a team quiz to finish on a fun note!