Exploring Verb Tenses: Present Simple and Continuous

Exploring Verb Tenses: Present Simple and Continuous

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to differentiate between the present simple and present continuous tenses in English.

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

Recap: Present Simple

The present simple tense is used for general truths, habits, and routines. Example: 'I eat breakfast every morning.'

Recap: Present Continuous

The present continuous tense is used for actions happening now or around now. Example: 'She is reading a book.'

Contrasting the Tenses

While the present simple describes regular or permanent situations, the present continuous describes temporary or ongoing actions.

Present Simple Timeline

The present simple tense is represented on a timeline as a recurring or habitual action.

Present Continuous Timeline

The present continuous tense is represented on a timeline as an action happening at the moment or around now.

Practice Exercise

Complete the sentences with the appropriate tense: present simple or present continuous.

Reviewing Answers

Discuss the correct answers as a class, highlighting the differences between the tenses.

Comparing to Past Tenses

Now that we understand the present tenses, we can explore how they contrast with the past tenses.

Summary

The present simple is used for general truths and habits, while the present continuous is used for actions happening now or around now.

Exit Ticket

Write one example sentence each in the present simple and present continuous tenses.

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.