A wish is always followed by the past tense form but refers to the present. Here are some examples:
1. After wish we usually use were, for example, "I wish I were taller. = I'm short." But we also use 'I wish I had ... ' and 'I wish I could ...'
2. We also use wish to say that we regret something for example, "I wish I knew Stefan's telephone number. = I don't know Stefan's telephone number and I want to call him now."
Here's how I teach expressing wishes. I start off with expressing my own wishes.
I don't play the piano. = I wish I could play the piano.
I'm going bald. = I wish I had more hair.
I'm fat. = I wish I were thin.
Now, I have my students write three things about themselves and then have them use the formula to express them as wishes. I go around the classroom checking and assisting students formulate their wishes.
These are my three wishes.
I wish I could ______________________.
I wish I had _______________________.
I wish I were ______________________.
Now, I give each student a magic wand which allows them to grant wishes pertaining to a specific category. Here are some categories: appearance, wealth, love, happiness, intelligence, and personality. This way they can role-play the dialogue.
Here's the role play.
Student A I wish I were thin. Can you grant me my wish?
Student B Yes, I can. Here's your wish.
Student A Great! Please sign here.
Student B Okay.
Student A Thank you.
Student B You're welcome.
Student A I wish I had more hair. Can you grant me my wish?
Student B I'm sorry. I can't.
Student A Thanks anyway.
Student B Good-luck!
Good-luck to you all!
Thanks- nice ideas.
we need more information like activities about expressing wishes typically in the past
We also could apply this with If only...
If only and I wish are similar to each other.
I did this with my group.
I was fantastic.