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 understand and apply the differences between the Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses.

Begin the lesson by explaining the learning objective to the students to ensure they understand what they will be learning.

What do you already know about the difference between the Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses?

Present Simple

The Present Simple is used for actions that are habitual, general, or permanent. For example: 'I always eat breakfast at 7am.'

Provide examples of the Present Simple and explain when it is used.

Present Continuous

The Present Continuous is used for actions that are happening now or around now. For example: 'I am currently eating breakfast.'

Provide examples of the Present Continuous and explain when it is used.

Forming the Present Simple

For most verbs, the Present Simple is formed by adding '-s' to the base form of the verb for third person singular (he, she, it). For example: 'She eats breakfast at 7am.'

Explain how to form the Present Simple and provide examples.

Forming the Present Continuous

The Present Continuous is formed by using the verb 'to be' in the present tense, followed by the present participle (-ing form) of the main verb. For example: 'I am currently eating breakfast.'

Explain how to form the Present Continuous and provide examples.

Practice Exercise 1

Complete the sentence with the correct tense: 'I usually __________ (watch/watches) TV in the evening.'

Provide a practice exercise for the students to complete independently or in pairs. Review the exercise as a class.

Practice Exercise 2

Complete the sentence with the correct tense: 'She ________ (read/reading) a book at the moment.'

Provide a practice exercise for the students to complete independently or in pairs. Review the exercise as a class.

Application Exercise

Write three sentences about what you are currently doing. Use the Present Continuous tense.

Provide an application exercise for the students to complete independently or in pairs. Review the exercise as a class.

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.