How This Year Has Changed Me
Introduction
Conversation
Dialog
My name is Lucas, and I am twelve years old. I have lived in the same neighborhood for as long as I can remember, and over the years I have developed strong friendships with people who feel more like family than just classmates.
This year has been especially challenging. I have faced more responsibilities at school, and I have noticed that teachers expect much more from us now. I have learned how important it is to manage my time well, because I have had days when homework, tests, and personal interests all competed for my attention.
At school, I have improved my performance in subjects that used to be difficult for me. I have worked hard on math, and I have become more confident when solving complex problems. In science class, I have studied topics that made me curious about how the world works, and I have started asking better questions instead of just memorizing answers.
Outside the classroom, I have spent a lot of time playing video games, but my habits have changed. I have realized that playing just for fun is different from playing to improve. I have practiced patience, teamwork, and problem-solving, especially when things haven’t gone the way I expected. Even though I haven’t completed every challenge, I have learned not to give up too easily.
At home, I have taken on more responsibility. I have helped my parents with daily tasks, and I have understood that small actions make a real difference. I have kept my room organized, I have prepared simple meals, and I have shown more independence than before. These changes have made my parents trust me more.
So far, this year has taught me important lessons. I have discovered that growing up is not just about age, but about choices. I have made mistakes, but I have also learned from them. Most importantly, I have started to understand who I am becoming and what kind of person I want to be. That’s what I meant.
Vocabulary
[over the years, give up too easily, competed, gone the way, taken on more responsibility, like family, have noticed, has taught, growing up, has been, as long as, used to be]
| Word / Expression | Meaning (Simple Explanation) | Example Sentence |
| over the years | During a long period of time, from the past until now | Over the years, I have learned to be more patient. |
| competed | Tried to be better than others or tried to win | Homework and games have competed for my time. |
| gone the way | Happened or developed in a particular manner | Things haven’t gone the way I expected. |
| give up too easily | Stop trying too quickly | I have learned not to give up too easily. |
| taken on more responsibility | Accepted more duties or tasks | I have taken on more responsibility at home. |
| like family | Very close, not related by blood but emotionally close | My friends feel like family to me. |
| have noticed | Became aware of something | I have noticed that school is more demanding now. |
| has taught | Has helped someone learn a lesson or idea | This experience has taught me an important lesson. |
| growing up | The process of becoming older and more mature | Growing up means learning from mistakes. |
| has been | Indicates a state or situation that started in the past and continues now | This year has been challenging but rewarding. |
| as long as | For the entire time that something has existed or happened | I have lived here as long as I can remember. |
| used to be | Describes a past situation that is no longer true | Math used to be difficult for me. |
Grammar
Present Perfect
🔹 Form
have / has + past participle
I have finished my homework.
She has learned a lot this year.
When we use it
✅ Life experience (time not mentioned)
Used to talk about things that happened at some point before now.
I have visited many places.
He has never played chess.
✅ Unfinished time
Used when the time period is still happening.
Common words: this week, this year, so far, over the years
I have studied a lot this year.
We have improved our skills over the years.
✅ Past actions with present results
The action happened before, but the result matters now.
I have lost my keys. (I can’t open the door now.)
She has broken her phone. (It doesn’t work.)
✅ Actions that started in the past and continue now
Often with for and since.
I have lived here for five years.
He has studied English since 2019.
❌ Don’t use the present perfect with finished time
- yesterday, last year, in 2020
✔️ I went to school yesterday.
❌ I have gone to school yesterday.
Reading Comprehension
How has Lucas’s relationship with his neighborhood and friends developed over time?
What challenges has Lucas faced at school this year, and how has he responded to them?
In what ways has Lucas improved academically, and which subjects show the biggest change?
How has Lucas’s attitude toward video games changed, and what skills has he learned from this change?
What new responsibilities has Lucas taken on at home, and how have these actions affected his parents’ trust in him?
According to the text, what lessons has Lucas learned about growing up and personal development so far?
Exercises
Story telling
Role play
Instructions
For this exercise, you will practice using the vocabulary related to this dialog by acting out a role-play scenario.
Include the words provided in the vocabulary section.
Personal experience
Talk about your past experience with the topic.
Homework
Fill in the Blanks
Instructions:
Fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase from the vocabulary list.
Use each expression only once.
[over the years, give up too easily, competed, gone the way, taken on more responsibility, like family, have noticed, has taught, growing up, has been, as long as, used to be]
Lucas has lived in the same neighborhood __________ he can remember.
__________, Lucas has developed strong friendships with people who feel __________ to him.
This year __________ especially challenging, both at school and at home.
Lucas __________ that teachers expect more from students now than before.
Homework, tests, and personal interests have __________ for his attention.
Math __________ difficult for Lucas, but he has become more confident over time.
Even when things haven’t __________ he expected, Lucas has learned not to __________.
At home, Lucas has __________ and helped more with daily tasks.
__________ has helped Lucas understand that making mistakes is part of learning.
This experience __________ him that growing up is about choices and responsibility.
Complete the sentences
Lucas __________ (finish) his homework already.
I __________ (never / try) sushi before.
She __________ (study) English for five years.
We __________ (learn) many new things this year.
They __________ (not / see) that movie yet.
He __________ (read) three books this month.
My parents __________ (travel) to many countries.
I __________ (lose) my keys again.
She __________ (improve) her English a lot.
We __________ (work) very hard so far.
They __________ (make) a big decision.
He __________ (not / finish) the project yet.
I __________ (meet) many new people this year.
She __________ (change) her habits recently.
We __________ (be) very busy this week.
They __________ (start) a new project.
He __________ (never / see) snow before.
I __________ (understand) the lesson better now.
She __________ (help) her parents at home.
We __________ (practice) a lot this month.
Partner role play
Create your own partner role play activity. Make sure to include the words you’ve learned.
Produce
Create Your Own Dialog
Instructions:
Using the new words/expressions you’ve learned.
