Present Simple vs Present Continuous: What's the difference?

Present Simple vs Present Continuous: What's the difference?

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will be able to explain the difference between present simple and present continuous.

This slide sets the learning objective for the lesson. Make sure to revisit it at the end of the lesson to check if the objective has been achieved.

What do you already know about the difference between present simple and present continuous?

Present Simple

The present simple is used for habitual actions or general truths.

Explain the concept of present simple and give examples. Ask students to share examples they can think of.

Present Continuous

The present continuous is used for actions happening now or around now.

Explain the concept of present continuous and give examples. Ask students to share examples they can think of.

Form of Present Simple

Subject + Verb (base form) + Object

Explain the structure of present simple and give examples. Ask students to form sentences using the present simple.

Form of Present Continuous

Subject + am/is/are + Verb (ing) + Object

Explain the structure of present continuous and give examples. Ask students to form sentences using the present continuous.

Keyword for Present Simple

Always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never

Explain the keywords that are commonly used with present simple and give examples. Ask students to form sentences using these keywords.

Keyword for Present Continuous

Now, at the moment, currently, still, today

Explain the keywords that are commonly used with present continuous and give examples. Ask students to form sentences using these keywords.

Practice Exercise

Choose the correct form of the verb: I (am/always) late for school.

Provide a practice exercise for the students to apply what they have learned. Ask them to share their answers and explain why they chose a particular form of the verb.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.