Use wish, regret, if only, imagine accurately in context
Read and discuss a topic-specific article at A2 level
Practise speaking fluently on expressing regret and desire
Complete written exercises with vocabulary in context
Teaching Notes
Warm-up: allow 8-10 min, let personal answers develop
Article: read together or have students read silently first
Vocabulary match: good for pair work
Speaking: encourage full sentences, not one-word answers
Exit questions: 5-min closer, no prep needed
Timing Guide
Warm-up: 8 min
Article + comprehension: 12 min
Vocabulary + match: 10 min
Exercises: 10 min
Speaking + discussion: 15 min
Exit + recap: 5 min
Teacher Question Bank
Click Next Question to begin
A2 · Lesson 26 · Expressing Regret and Desire
Wish and If Only
Expressing Regret and Desirewishregretif only
Getting started
Warm-Up Questions
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Read & Understand
Article
Wish and If Only
Many people have wishes about their professional lives. 'I wish I spoke another language fluently,' says Pedro. 'It would open so many doors.' Ana says: 'I wish I had studied IT at university. I regret not learning more about technology when I had the chance. If only I had done a coding course five years ago!' Tom says: 'I wish I worked closer to home. My commute is two hours a day. If only the company had an office nearer my house!' These wishes are very common. The good news is that some wishes, like learning a language or a new skill, are still possible — it is never too late.
💡 Did you know? Psychologists call the pain of missed opportunities 'counterfactual thinking'. Interestingly, people tend to regret things they did NOT do far more than things they did — especially in the long term.
Topic: Expressing Regret and Desire
Key words
Vocabulary
01
wish
to want something that is not real or not possible at present
02
regret
a feeling of sadness about something you did or did not do
03
if only
a strong form of wish, expressing a desire for something different
04
imagine
to form a picture or idea in your mind
05
opportunity
a situation that makes it possible to do something
06
improve
to make or become better
07
had done
past perfect structure used to express regret about past actions
08
different
not the same as what exists
09
dream
a strong hope or ambition for the future
010
circumstance
the conditions that affect a situation
Match the Words
Click a word on the left, then click its definition on the right.
wish
regret
if only
imagine
opportunity
improve
had done
different
dream
circumstance
not the same as what exists
to form a picture or idea in your mind
a strong form of wish, expressing a desire for something different
a strong hope or ambition for the future
to make or become better
past perfect structure used to express regret about past actions
the conditions that affect a situation
a situation that makes it possible to do something
to want something that is not real or not possible at present
a feeling of sadness about something you did or did not do
Say it right
Pronunciation
wish
WISH
regret
REG-ret
if only
IF only
imagine
IMA-gine
opportunity
OPP-ort-unity
improve
IMP-rove
Read & Discuss
Short Dialogue
A:
Hi! Can I ask you about wish?
B:
Of course! I think wish is very important.
A:
What about regret? Do you use it often?
B:
Yes, I do. Regret helps me a lot at work.
A:
And if only? Is that difficult for you?
B:
Sometimes. But I practise every day.
A:
That is great. What is your advice?
B:
Just be consistent. Small steps every day!
Comprehension
What does person A ask about first?
How does person B feel about regret?
What is person B's advice?
Practice
Exercises
Gap Fill
Complete each sentence using vocabulary from today's lesson.
1. I I spoke better English.
2. I not studying harder at university.
3. I had more time!
4. you could work anywhere in the world!
5. I wish I had taken that when I could.
Error Correction
Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
She is know a lot about wish.
We was discussing regret yesterday.
He don't have enough if only.
They have spoke about imagine before.
Speaking practice
Speaking Prompts
Discuss with your partner
Tell your partner three things you wish were different about your job or life.
What do you wish you had done differently in your career? Use: I wish I had...
What is one thing you wish you could change about your English? What can you do about it?
Summarise today's topic in 3 sentences using vocabulary from this lesson.
Grammar focus: Wish + past simple for present regrets: I wish I spoke French (I don't). I wish ... — can you give an example?
Open discussion
Discussion Generator
More Questions
Use with pairs or whole class · Encourage full answers
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End of lesson
Exit Questions
Discuss in pairs — 5 minutes
Recap
Vocabulary
wish, regret, if only, imagine, opportunity, improve, had done, different, dream, circumstance
Article
Wish and If Only — reading & comprehension
Practice
Gap fill, error correction, vocabulary matching
Speaking
Prompts, discussion generator
Homework
Write a paragraph (6-8 sentences) about your professional wishes and regrets. Use: I wish I..., I wish I had..., If only...