Verb Tenses in English (B2–C1): Perfect and Continuous Forms Dictation Lesson

Introduction

Mastering Verb Tenses in English is essential for communicating clearly and accurately at upper-intermediate and advanced levels. However, memorising grammar rules is rarely enough. Learners need to hear verb tenses in authentic contexts and understand why speakers choose one form instead of another.

In this lesson, you will practise listening to a natural text containing Present Perfect, Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect, Past Perfect Continuous, Future Perfect, and Future Perfect Continuous. Instead of studying isolated rules, you will identify grammar through context, complete interactive activities, and apply what you have learned in speaking and writing.

This lesson is suitable for B2–C1 English learners, teachers looking for ready-to-use classroom materials, and anyone preparing for advanced English exams.

If you would like to strengthen your listening accuracy before completing this dictation, explore our collection of English Listening Activities. You’ll find authentic lessons designed to improve comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar through real-world topics and interactive exercises.

Learning Objectives

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

• recognise perfect and continuous verb forms in authentic speech;
• distinguish between completed and ongoing actions;
• identify the reason each tense is used;
• improve listening accuracy through dictation;
• produce accurate sentences using advanced verb tenses;
• write a short text using a variety of perfect and continuous forms.

Skills Developed

Listening

Dictation

Grammar Awareness

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Vocabulary Preview

Before listening, make sure you know these expressions.

Word	Meaning
career path	professional journey
promotion	moving to a higher position
qualification	certificate or educational achievement
workload	amount of work
deadline	final date for completion
opportunity	favourable chance
remote working	working from home
lifelong learning	continuous education
achievement	something successfully accomplished
professional development	improving work-related skills

Before You Listen

Discuss the following questions.

1. Have you ever changed jobs or careers?
2. How long have you been studying English?
3. What skills will people have developed by 2035?

Listening Activity

▶ Watch the video.

Dictation

Comprehension Check

Choose the correct answer.

1. Why did Emma decide to change careers?
2. How long had she been thinking about changing careers?
3. What has changed in today’s workplace?
4. What do experts predict for 2035?
5. Which skills will become increasingly important?

Dictation Text

(Approximately 200 words)

Listen carefully.

Write exactly what you hear.

Pay special attention to verb forms.

Over the past decade, many professionals have changed the way they develop their careers. Some have been studying online for years because traditional qualifications no longer meet every employer’s expectations.

Emma had worked as an accountant for almost fifteen years before she decided to retrain as a software developer. By the time she started her first programming course, she had already completed several business management qualifications. She had also been considering a career change for more than two years before making the final decision.

Today, she has been working remotely for an international company, and she says the experience has completely changed her perspective on work-life balance. She believes that continuous learning has become essential in today’s competitive job market.

Looking ahead, experts predict that by 2035 many employees will have changed careers several times. They will have been developing new skills throughout their working lives as technology continues to evolve. Successful professionals will not only have gained technical knowledge but will also have developed adaptability, communication skills, and resilience.

Interactive Activity 1

Fill in the Missing Verbs – H5P

Instructions: Listen to the dictation again and complete the sentences with the correct verb forms.

1. Over the past decade, many professionals *have changed* the way they develop their careers.
2. Some *have been studying* online for years because traditional qualifications no longer meet every employer’s expectations.
3. Emma *had worked* as an accountant for almost fifteen years before she decided to retrain as a software developer.
4. By the time she started her first programming course, she *had already completed* several business management qualifications.
5. She *had been considering* a career change for more than two years before making the final decision.
6. Today, she *has been working* remotely for an international company.
7. She says the experience *has completely changed* her perspective on work-life balance.
8. Experts predict that by 2035 many employees *will have changed* careers several times.
9. They *will have been developing* new skills throughout their working lives as technology continues to evolve.
10. Successful professionals *will have gained* technical knowledge but will also have developed adaptability, communication skills, and resilience.

Interactive Activity 2

Drag the Words – H5P

Match each verb with its correct tense.

Verb	Tense
have changed	*Present Perfect*
have been studying	*Present Perfect Continuous*
had worked	*Past Perfect*
had been considering	*Past Perfect Continuous*
will have changed	*Future Perfect*
will have been developing	*Future Perfect Continuous*

Interactive Activity 3

Grammar Detective – Drag the Words – H5P

Read the transcript again.

Explain why each tense is used.

Verb	Why?
*have changed*	completed action connected to the present
*have been studying*	activity continuing until now
*had worked*	action completed before another past action
*had been considering*	duration before a past moment
*will have changed*	completed before a future point
*will have been developing*	duration leading to a future point

Interactive Activity 4

Error Correction (Fill in the gaps – H5P)

Correct the mistakes.

1. ❌ Emma has changed careers last year. *Emma changed careers last year*.

Reason: Last year is a finished time expression, so British English uses the Past Simple.

2. ❌ She had been worked there for fifteen years. *She had worked there for fifteen years*.

Reason: Had been worked is grammatically incorrect. Depending on the intended meaning, use Past Perfect (completed state) or Past Perfect Continuous (duration). She had been working there for fifteen years.

3. ❌ They have been develop new skills. *They have been developing new skills*.

Reason: After have been, use the -ing form.

4. ❌ By 2035 people will have changing careers. *By 2035 people will have changed careers*.

Reason: The Future Perfect uses will have + past participle.

5. ❌ I have finished university in 2022. *I finished university in 2022*.

Reason: A specific finished time (in 2022) requires the Past Simple in British English.

Speaking Activity

Work with a partner.

Discuss the questions.

• Have you ever considered changing careers?
• What skills have you been developing recently?
• What will you have achieved by the end of this year?
• How has technology changed your profession?

Encourage students to answer using at least one perfect tense in every response.

If you would like to review the fundamentals before tackling these advanced verb forms, visit the website MyESLFriends, where you’ll find beginner-friendly grammar lessons and practical activities designed for A1–B1 English learners.

Writing Task

My Learning Journey

Write 150–180 words about your personal or professional development.

Include:

• one Present Perfect sentence;
• one Present Perfect Continuous sentence;
• one Past Perfect sentence;
• one Past Perfect Continuous sentence;
• one Future Perfect sentence.

Try to explain how your experiences have influenced your future goals. If you want the answers, please leave a message

Answer Key – Activity 3 (Grammar Detective)

Verb	Why is it used?
have changed	To describe a completed action with present relevance.
have been studying	To emphasise an activity that started in the past and continues to the present.
had worked	To show an action completed before another past event.
had already completed	To indicate a finished action before another past action.
had been considering	To highlight the duration of an activity before a past decision.
has been working	To describe an activity that began in the past and is still continuing.
has completely changed	To show a completed action with an effect on the present.
will have changed	To express an action that will be completed before a future point in time.
will have been developing	To emphasise the duration of an activity leading up to a future moment.
will have gained	To indicate a completed achievement before a future deadline.

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