Present Simple vs Present Continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo k
• Leerjaar 1

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Learning Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to distinguish between the Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses and use them correctly in sentences.

Introduce the objective of the lesson and explain the importance of understanding the difference between the two tenses.

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 routines, general truths, and things that are always true.

Explain the use of Present Simple and provide examples. Ask students to provide their own examples.

Present Continuous

The Present Continuous is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking, temporary actions, and future arrangements.

Explain the use of Present Continuous and provide examples. Ask students to provide their own examples.

Forming Present Simple

The Present Simple is formed with the base form of the verb. For example: 'I play tennis.'

Explain the formation of Present Simple and provide examples. Ask students to identify the base form of the verb in different sentences.

Forming Present Continuous

The Present Continuous is formed with the present participle of the verb (verb + -ing). For example: 'I am playing tennis.'

Explain the formation of Present Continuous and provide examples. Ask students to identify the present participle of the verb in different sentences.

Practice: Present Simple or Present Continuous?

Provide a sentence and ask students to identify whether it should be in Present Simple or Present Continuous. For example: 'He usually (play/plays) football on Saturdays.'

Provide a worksheet or online quiz for students to practice identifying the correct tense.

Practice: Complete the Sentence

Provide a sentence with a missing verb and ask students to complete it with the correct tense. For example: 'I (watch) TV every night.'

Provide a worksheet or online quiz for students to practice using the correct tense.

Review

Review the use and formation of Present Simple and Present Continuous. Ask students to provide their own examples and answer any questions they may have.

Summarize the main points of the lesson and review any areas where students may be struggling.

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.