This tandem activity is designed to practise the forms of the verb to be (am, is, are). The students work together in pairs.

Each pair receives two cards: Card A and Card B. Each card contains several incomplete sentences where the correct form of to be must be filled in. Card A also includes the answers to the sentences on Card B, and Card B includes the answers to the sentences on Card A.

One student reads a sentence from their card aloud and completes it with the correct form of to be. Their partner listens and checks the answer using the solutions on their own card. If the answer is correct, the partner says, “That’s correct!” If it’s wrong, they say, “Sorry, that’s wrong. Try again!” so the correct form can be practised once more. Then it’s the other student’s turn to read the next sentence from their card and complete it with the correct form of to be. The partner immediately checks the answer again. The students take turns for each sentence until all sentences on both cards have been completed.

This method not only supports the automatisation of the forms of to be, but also encourages careful listening, teamwork in pairs, pronunciation, and reading aloud.

The cards should be printed, laminated, and cut out before use. Laminating them makes them very durable and allows for repeated use.

The tandem activity is particularly suitable for use in independent learning or remedial lessons.