In many cases, this means a different way of thinking for learners. This isn't a piece of grammar you can ignore or replace, I'm sorry to say. Basically, if you're talking about the present you use present perfect - this allows you to talk about the present by using an event in the past. Situations where you would use present perfect include very recent news, events which caused the present situation, introducing an experience from your lifetime, and actions/situations which began in the past and are still happening or true now. Past simple is... well, past. It has no connection to the present. You also need to tell us when (in the past) the event happened. As Douglas advised, just use present perfect more, follow good examples, and it will become natural.

Don't worry, many people find it difficult to understand how to use this tense! But as you read and listen and speak English more, it will become natural to you. Here's an excellent article on the subject: http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfect.html

lol yes tenses are really difficult but you need just to review a lot tenses lessons . i use a helpful website to learn english lessons . it's engvid.com use this website and you will be fine )))