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Can you practice a flight? Be used to and get used to + noun or -ing

This B1 ESL lesson plan teaches be used to and get used to through Wings for Autism, airport rehearsals where families practice a flight that never takes off.

Grammar
Be used to + noun or -ing for what feels normal (Sidney is used to crowds.), get used to for a change (You'll get used to it.), set against used to + verb.
Topic
Wings for Autism, which began at Boston Logan in 2011, with airport words such as ticket counter, security check and jet bridge.
Activities
Episode notes to read, a volunteer's morning at the gate and a new airport worker's message to hear, five self-checking drills, a chat and open boxes.

What's inside

  1. Chapter 1Warm-up: Ready for takeoff?

    • PictureUnlock
    • Spin the wheel and answerSpin the wheelUnlock
    • Study the words: a trip through the airportVocabularyTry it
    • Look at the pictures and chooseChoose by pictureUnlock

  2. Chapter 2Episode notes: a flight that never takes off

    • Look at the photo: a practice day at the airportPictureUnlock
    • Read the episode notesArticleUnlock
    • Read and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
    • Read again and choose the correct answerQuizUnlock

  3. Chapter 3Listen: a morning at the gate

    • Listen to Jade and SidneyListeningTry it
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and choose the correct answerQuizUnlock
    • Listen to the Listener's Take: SpencerListeningUnlock
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen again: true or falseTrue or falseUnlock

  4. Chapter 4Grammar: I'm getting used to it!

    • Study the scheme: be used to and get used toGrammar schemeTry it
    • Choose the correct optionChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: used to, be used to or get used toFill in the gapsTry it
    • Fill in the table: be used to and be getting used toFill in the tableUnlock
    • Choose the correct answerQuizUnlock
    • Put the words in the correct orderUnjumbleUnlock

  5. Chapter 5Let's talk: new and normal

    • Choose the right replies: what happens next?ChatTry it
    • Open a box and answer: new and normalOpen the boxUnlock

  6. Chapter 6Homework

    • Match the words and the meaningsMatchUnlock
    • Unscramble the wordsAnagramUnlock
    • Find the matching pairs: airport words and cluesMemory gameUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps with the lesson's wordsFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Choose the correct optionChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: make sentences with used to and get used toFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Put the words in the correct orderUnjumbleUnlock
    • Sort the sentences into the correct columnsSort into columnsUnlock
    • Choose the correct option: Riley's guide for first-time flyersChoose the optionUnlock
    • Drag the words into the gaps: the hosts answer SpencerDrag and dropUnlock

32 exercises in 6 chapters. Start a 7-day free trial to open all of them, copy any part into your own lessons, and teach the lesson live.

Vocabulary

12 words and phrases from the lesson, each with a picture and audio in edio.

+9 more with pictures and audio in the lessonMore words

  • security check
  • ticket counter
  • jet bridge
  • cockpit
  • flight attendant
  • routine
  • noise
  • stressful
  • earmuffs

Grammar: be used to and get used to

Be used to says that something already feels normal; get used to says that it is becoming normal. Both take a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form after to. At an airport rehearsal day, learners set the two against used to + verb, the past habit from A2, and use get used to in the present, past and future.

I'm used to it. I'm getting used to it.

be used to = it's normal for you. get used to = it's becoming normal: a change. And used to + base form = a past habit, not now.

Three different ideas

Used to + base form is a past habit, not now: Sidney used to work at the ticket counter. With a noun or -ing after to, be means a state and get a change: Sidney is used to crowds. Spencer is getting used to the noise.

used to + base form = the past, not now

  • I used to hate airports.
  • Sidney used to work at the ticket counter.
  • Did you use to fly a lot?

be used to + noun / -ing = it's normal for you

  • Sidney is used to crowds.
  • I'm not used to getting up early.
  • Are you used to flying?
  • The past: he was used to crowds.

get used to + noun / -ing = a change: it's becoming normal

  • Spencer is getting used to the noise.
  • You'll get used to it.
  • Did you get used to the job quickly?

Be used to: am, is or are

Be changes with the person, and used to stays the same: I am used to crowds. She isn't used to crowds. They are used to helping families. For the past, be becomes was or were: He was used to crowds.

Whobe used to ✅not be used to ❌
II am used to crowds.I am not used to getting up early.
youYou are used to long lines.You aren't used to the noise.
heHe is used to waiting.He isn't used to flying.
sheShe is used to early mornings.She isn't used to crowds.
it (my dog)It is used to the car.It isn't used to planes.
weWe are used to the announcements.We aren't used to big airports.
theyThey are used to helping families.They aren't used to the cold.

Get used to now, in the past and in the future

Get used to works in any tense, so the change can be happening, finished or still ahead: He is getting used to the noise. We got used to the time zone. The future form reassures someone new: You'll get used to it.

Whonow: be getting used topast: got used tofuture: will get used to
II am getting used to my job.I got used to the noise.I will get used to it.
youYou are getting used to the city.You got used to the food.You will get used to it.
heHe is getting used to the noise.He got used to the early start.He will get used to the uniform.
sheShe is getting used to flying.She got used to the lines.She will get used to her new school.
it (my dog)It is getting used to the new house.It got used to the car.It will get used to you.
weWe are getting used to the cold.We got used to the time zone.We will get used to the new routine.
theyThey are getting used to waiting at the gate.They got used to the airport.They will get used to the plane.

Questions and short answers

Questions start with be or did, and the short answer repeats the same helper: Are you used to flying? – No, I'm not. Are you getting used to your new job? – Yes, I am. Did you get used to the noise? – Yes, I did.

QuestionShort answer
Are you used to flying?Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Is she used to crowds?Yes, she is. / No, she isn't.
Are you getting used to your new job?Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.
Did you get used to the noise?Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.
The past habit: Did you use to fly a lot?Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.

After to: a noun or -ing

In be used to and get used to, to is followed by a noun, a pronoun or an -ing form, never the base form: I'm used to waiting, not I'm used to wait. Spell it used, with -d, except in the past habit after did: Did you use to fly?

After to: a noun or -ing

In be used to and get used to, a noun, a pronoun (it, them) or an -ing form comes after to, never the base form or a new sentence: I'm used to waiting. I'm getting used to it. Not: I'm used to wait. Not: I'm used to that I wait.

used, with -d

Write used with -d: She is used to crowds (not: She is use to crowds). Only after did or didn't (the past habit), write use to: Did you use to fly? I didn't use to like airports. All of them sound the same: “yoost-tuh”.

Common mistakes

  • I'm used to fly.

    I'm used to flying.

    be used to + -ing

  • I used to flying.

    I used to fly. / I'm used to flying.

    a past habit: used to + base form; normal for you: be used to + -ing

  • She is use to crowds.

    She is used to crowds.

    be used to: always used, with -d

  • I'm getting used to wait.

    I'm getting used to waiting.

    get used to + -ing

At the rehearsal day

  • Jade isn't used to early mornings.
  • You'll get used to them. Well, maybe not in one day!
  • The kids get used to showing a boarding pass and waiting at the gate.
  • Sidney used to work at the ticket counter, so he was used to crowds.
  • Spencer is getting used to the noise of the engines.
  • Are you used to flying? – No, I'm not. Riley isn't either!

More lessons on this grammar: Used to lessons and exercises

Try the be and get used to exercises

Try them yourself: these are the same exercises your students do in edio.

More exercises

What's in the lesson

  • 17 auto-checked exercises
  • 6 games
  • 1 article
  • 1 grammar scheme
  • 1 set of word cards
  • 2 audio clips
  • 2 pictures
  • 2 transcripts

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

  • say what feels normal with be used to + noun or -ing: Sidney is used to crowds. Jade isn't used to getting up early.
  • describe a change with get used to now, in the past and in the future: Spencer is getting used to the noise. You'll get used to it.
  • tell used to + verb from be used to + -ing: Sidney used to work at the ticket counter, so he was used to crowds.
  • ask and answer Are you used to flying? – No, I'm not. and Did you get used to the noise? – Yes, I did.
  • avoid I'm used to fly and She is use to crowds: an -ing form after to, and used with -d

Lesson 4 closes Travel smart, unit 1 of English B1.1 · Stories That Travel. It builds on A2.2 lessons 17 and 18, which taught used to + verb for past habits, and adds two look-alike forms with a different meaning. Lesson 5 opens the next unit, on jobs, with will have to. A practice day at an airport turns something new and stressful into something familiar, which is what get used to and be used to describe.

Students spin a wheel of travel questions, then learn twelve words, from get used to and board a plane to jet bridge and earmuffs, with pictures and audio. The show's episode notes explain Wings for Autism, with true-or-false statements and a quiz. Jade then spends a morning at the gate with Sidney, a volunteer, and Spencer, who loads bags at an airport, leaves a voice message; both are AI-voiced. Five self-checking drills follow the scheme, among them a table of both forms for every person. In the speaking chapter, a mom texts the student, a volunteer, and open boxes ask what is new and what is normal.

All ten homework tasks check themselves: a word match, an anagram, a memory game of airport clues and a word gap-fill, then a choice of forms, gaps with used to and get used to, sentences to order, a sort into the three meanings, Riley's guide for first-time flyers and the hosts' answer to Spencer.

Grammar:
be used to · get used to · used to vs be used to · -ing after to
Topic:
Wings for Autism · airports · Boston Logan · air travel · practice trips · Stories That Travel

Teaching tips

  • Draw three columns on the board: then, normal now and becoming normal. Students write one sentence about their own life in each: I used to…, I'm used to…, I'm getting used to…
  • Ask what makes airports stressful before the episode notes: lines, noise, announcements, crowds. Students then read to find out how a practice day helps families with each one.
  • Play the morning at the gate twice: first for what Jade isn't used to, then for each used to sentence, which students put in one of the three columns.
  • Answer Spencer's question as a class: what are you getting used to right now? Each student gives one answer with I'm getting used to + noun or -ing, and the class asks one follow-up question.

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The whole course: English B1.1 · Stories That Travel

32 lessons for adults at B1 in American English, each built around a true story. Riley, Jade and Darius make a podcast in Kansas City about true American stories, and each lesson tells one, from a seaplane airport in Alaska to the Marfa Lights of West Texas. Learners compare the present perfect with the past simple, use future forms, modals and quantifiers, and give their own opinions. The practice exercises check themselves.See the course

  1. Unit 1 Travel smart

    the present perfect vs the past simple, for and since, indirect questions, be used to and get used to

    1. Lesson 1Would you visit an airport just for fun?Present perfect vs past simple
    2. Lesson 2Would you sleep in a 300-year-old inn?For and since with the present perfect
    3. Lesson 3My suitcase has gone to Honolulu!Indirect questions for polite requests
    4. Lesson 4 · you're hereCan you practice a flight?Be used to and get used to

  2. Unit 2 Dream jobs, new jobs

    will have to and won't be allowed to, the present perfect continuous, simple vs continuous, would vs used to

    1. Lesson 5Would you jump off a moving boat for a job?Will have to, will be able to and will be allowed to
    2. Lesson 6Working from anywherePresent perfect continuous
    3. Lesson 7Could you be a camp counselor?Present perfect simple vs continuous
    4. Lesson 8Would you live in a lighthouse?Would vs used to for the past

  3. Unit 3 Space and discovery

    it's + adjective + to, What's it like to…?, future forms compared, future time clauses, too and enough + to

    1. Lesson 9What's it like to work in space?It's + adjective + to and What's it like to…?
    2. Lesson 10Who will walk on the Moon next?Future forms compared by meaning
    3. Lesson 11A message for the starsFuture time clauses
    4. Lesson 12A helicopter on Mars?Too and enough + to-infinitive

  4. Unit 4 Life online

    the more…, the more…, be supposed to, ought to and had better, let, make and allow

    1. Lesson 13The internet's first word was “LO”Comparative and comparative; the more…, the more…
    2. Lesson 14Who sent the first spam?Be supposed to for rules, expectations and plans
    3. Lesson 15Is your password really safe?Ought to and had better for advice and warnings
    4. Lesson 16Who writes Wikipedia?Let, make and allow + someone

  5. Unit 5 Screen and page

    -ed and -ing adjectives, gradable and extreme adjectives, present tenses for a plot, articles for things in general

    1. Lesson 17Why do readers still love Nancy Drew?-ed and -ing adjectives for feelings
    2. Lesson 18Movie night in your carGradable and extreme adjectives
    3. Lesson 19Would you review a book on TV?Present tenses to tell a plot
    4. Lesson 20Where are the books about girls like me?Articles for things in general and specific things

  6. Unit 6 Green living

    few and a few, little and a little, all, most, some and none, each and every, fewer and less

    1. Lesson 21A year's trash in one jar?Few, a few, little and a little
    2. Lesson 22No food in the trash!All, most, some and none (of)
    3. Lesson 23A farm in the middle of DetroitEach and every
    4. Lesson 24A trash collector with googly eyesFewer and less

  7. Unit 7 Sporting moments

    could, was able to and managed to, for, during and while, present tenses for live commentary, question tags

    1. Lesson 25From a leg brace to three goldsCould, was able to and managed to
    2. Lesson 26A doctor and an Olympic champion?For, during and while
    3. Lesson 27Who's that runner coming from behind?Present simple and continuous for live commentary
    4. Lesson 28Why do high jumpers go backward?Question tags

  8. Unit 8 Mysteries and lost worlds

    both… and, either… or and neither… nor, uncountable nouns, how sure we are about the future, unless, as long as and in case

    1. Lesson 29A calendar made of posts?Both… and, either… or, neither… nor
    2. Lesson 30What was the Great House for?Uncountable abstract nouns
    3. Lesson 31What does Newspaper Rock say?Certainty about the future
    4. Lesson 32What are the Marfa Lights?Unless, as long as and in case

Questions about this lesson

What does be used to mean?
Be used to means something feels normal because you know it well: Sidney is used to crowds, since he used to work at the ticket counter. A noun, a pronoun or an -ing form follows it: I'm used to early mornings. I'm used to waiting. The B1 lesson Can you practice a flight? on edio.ai teaches it at an airport rehearsal day.
What's the difference between be used to and get used to?
One is a state, the other a change: I'm used to flying means flying already feels normal, while I'm getting used to flying means it is slowly becoming normal. Get used to also works in the past and the future: We got used to the noise. You'll get used to it. Can you practice a flight?, a B1 lesson on edio.ai, sorts sentences into these two meanings and a third, used to + verb.
What's the difference between used to and be used to?
Used to + base form is a past habit that isn't true now: I used to hate airports. Be used to + noun or -ing means something is normal for you: I'm used to airports. So I used to fly looks back, and I'm used to flying describes now. The A2 courses on edio.ai teach the first, and Can you practice a flight? adds the second.
Is it "I'm used to fly" or "I'm used to flying"?
It's I'm used to flying, because to here is followed by a noun or an -ing form, never the base form. Get used to works the same way: I'm getting used to waiting, not getting used to wait. Two more slips: She is use to crowds needs the -d of used, and I used to flying mixes two forms; say I used to fly or I'm used to flying.
What are some examples of get used to?
Get used to appears in many tenses: Spencer is getting used to the noise of the engines. On my first trip, the lines were long, but I got used to them fast. You'll get used to the four a.m. alarm. Did you get used to the job quickly? Each one describes something new becoming normal, and all four come from Can you practice a flight?, a B1 lesson on edio.ai.
What is Wings for Autism?
Wings for Autism is a practice trip through a real airport for families with children on the autism spectrum. It began at Boston Logan in 2011, started together by the Charles River Center, Massport, JetBlue and the TSA. Families get boarding passes, check bags, go through security, wait at the gate and board a plane. The Arc began its own national events in 2014, and dozens of airports now hold them.
Does the plane take off on a Wings for Autism day?
No. The plane never leaves the gate, but the doors are shut, so it feels like a real flight. At the April 2024 event at Logan, the planes were even set for pretend trips to places like Tokyo and Orlando. Airport staff, flight crews and TSA officers practice too: they learn how to help the families. Riley loses a Mug Bet on this very question in Can you practice a flight?
How do I teach be used to and get used to at B1?
Start from a real change in the students' lives, such as a new job, a new city or a new phone: what was hard at first, and what is normal now? That brings out I'm getting used to… and I'm used to… on its own. Then add I used to… for life before the change. Can you practice a flight? on edio.ai builds its scheme on the same three-way compare.
What's a good game for practicing be used to and get used to?
Open-box prompts about new and normal things work well: a student opens one, such as Say one thing you're used to and one thing you aren't used to or What are you getting used to this year?, and answers aloud. For a sorting race, read out sentences and let teams shout past, normal or change first.
What's good homework for be used to and get used to?
Good homework makes students choose between the three forms: a sort of sentences into used to, be used to and get used to, gaps such as Are you used to ___ (speak) English at work?, and a short real text. All ten homework tasks in Can you practice a flight? on edio.ai check themselves, including Riley's guide for first-time flyers.
How do you practice be used to and get used to one-to-one?
Talk through the student's last big change: a move, a new job, a new school. Ask What was hard at first?, Are you used to it now? and What are you still getting used to?, then let the student ask you. The chat in Can you practice a flight?, a B1 lesson on edio.ai, works without a partner: the student, a volunteer, answers a mom's messages at a rehearsal day.
Are there interactive exercises for be used to and get used to?
Yes. Three parts of Can you practice a flight?, a B1 lesson on edio.ai, play on this page without an account: Jade's morning at the gate with the volunteer Sidney, a gap-fill that mixes used to, be used to and get used to, and a chat with a mom at a rehearsal day. Answers are marked right away, so slips show at once. Everything else needs an account.
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