Speaking: Storytelling & Narrative Skills B1 - Lesson 2: Using Time Expressions to Sequence (last year, then, after that)

Speaking: Storytelling & Narrative Skills B1

Using Time Expressions to Sequence Events

What you will learn: To tell a great story, your listener must understand the order of events. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use time expressions to show the sequence of events clearly.

Conversation Scenario: Starting a Business 💬

Listen to Rithy tell his friend Sophea how he started his successful cafe. Pay attention to the phrases he uses to mark the different stages of his journey.

Sophea: Rithy, your cafe is always so busy! It feels like you just opened yesterday.

Rithy: Thanks, Sophea! But the journey was long. It all started about three years ago. I was working in an office, but I wasn't happy.

Sophea: So what did you do?

Rithy: First, I started saving money. Then, I took a barista course. After that, I spent a year looking for the perfect location.

Sophea: A whole year? That's a long time!

Rithy: I know! Eventually, I found this place. At first, it was quiet. But a few months later, more people started coming. And nowadays, we're one of the most popular spots in town!

Time Expressions for Storytelling

Using a variety of time markers makes your story more engaging and easy to follow.

🚀 Starting the Story

• A few years ago...
• Last month...
• When I was a child...
• It all started when...

➡️ Continuing the Story

• Then,...
• After that,...
• Next,...
• A few weeks later,...
• Meanwhile,...

🏁 Finishing the Story

• Finally,...
• In the end,...
• Eventually,...
• Nowadays,...

Tips for Clear Storytelling

🗣️ Pronunciation: Intonation on Time Phrases

When you use a time expression at the start of a sentence, your intonation naturally rises slightly and you make a small pause. This signals to the listener that you are setting the time for the next piece of information.

Listen to the rhythm:
"A few months later, ➚ [pause] more people started coming. ➘"

Practice Sequencing 🎯

Activity 1: Complete the Story

Use the time expressions from the box to complete the short story about cooking dinner.

Finally      After that      Last night      First

(1) ________, I decided to cook Amok for my family. (2) ________, I went to the market to buy all the ingredients like fish and coconut milk. (3) ________, I came home and prepared everything. It took a long time. (4) ________, we all sat down to eat, and it was delicious!

Answers: 1. Last night, 2. First, 3. After that, 4. Finally

Vocabulary

• Sequence (Noun) | លំដាប់
  The order in which things happen or should happen.
• Eventually (Adverb) | នៅទីបំផុត
  In the end, especially after a long time or a lot of effort.
• At first (Phrase) | ដំបូងឡើយ
  At the beginning of a situation.
• Nowadays (Adverb) | សព្វថ្ងៃនេះ
  At the present time, in contrast with the past.
• Meanwhile (Adverb) | ក្នុងពេលជាមួយគ្នានេះ
  In the time between two events or while something else is happening.

Your Storytelling Mission ⭐

Tell Your "Learning" Story

Your mission this week is to tell a story about something you learned to do. It could be learning to ride a moto, learning English, or learning a new skill for your job.

1. Choose your topic.
2. Structure your story using at least FOUR different time expressions. For example: "When I was 18...", "At first...", "A few months later...", "Nowadays...".
3. Tell your story to a friend or colleague. Focus on making the sequence of events very clear.