TEACHER'S NOTES
ESL / EFL RESOURCES Which tense?
Activity Type Introduction
Reading, writing, This fun present simple vs. present continuous activity helps
listening and speaking elementary students practice forming and answering questions in
activity, pairwork the present simple and present continuous tense.
Procedure
Language Focus
Divide the students into two groups (A and B).
Present simple and
present continuous
Give each student a corresponding A or B worksheet.
Working alone or in pairs, the students complete the questions on
Aim the worksheet in the present simple or present continuous using
To practice forming and the verbs in brackets.
answering questions in
the present simple and When the students have finished, go through the questions with
present continuous tense. each group.
Answer key
Preparation
Student A Student B
Make one copy of the
worksheet for each pair 1. do you / go do you / do
of students and cut as 2. Are you / getting are you / looking
indicated. 3. does / start / finish do you / play
4. Do you / have Do you / use
5. Are you / reading are you / watching
Level 6. are you / studying do you / wake
7. is / your are you / going
Elementary (A1-A2)
8. do you / speak does / finish
9. are you / wearing Are you / feeling
Time 10. are you / learning do you / like
11. does / look are you / having
30 minutes 12. are you / doing are you / doing
Next, have the students pair up with someone from the other
group.
The students then take it in turns to ask and answer the questions
with their partner.
Remind the students to answer their partner's questions in the
present simple or present continuous, according to the tense of
each question. Also, encourage the students to give as much
information as they can.
Afterwards, have the students share what they found out about
their partner with the class. Any interesting findings can then be
discussed in more detail.
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PRESENT SIMPLE VS. PRESENT CONTINUOUS
ESL / EFL RESOURCES Which tense?
Student A
A. Complete the questions in the present simple or continuous using the verbs in brackets.
1. How often _______ _______ _______ to the cinema? (go)
2. _______ _______ _______ up early tomorrow? (get)
3. What time _______ this class _______ and _______? (start, finish)
4. _______ _______ _______ any bad habits? (have)
5. _______ _______ _______ a good book at the moment? (read)
6. What _______ _______ _______ at the moment? (study)
7. What _______ _______ daily routine? (be)
8. How many languages _______ _______ _______? (speak)
9. What _______ _______ _______ today? (wear)
10. Why _______ _______ _______ English? (learn)
11. What _______ _______ best friend _______ like? (look)
12. What _______ _______ _______ right now? (do)
B. Now, take it in turns to ask and answer the questions with your partner.
________________________________________________
Student B
A. Complete the questions in the present simple or continuous using the verbs in brackets.
1. What _______ _______ _______ in your free time? (do)
2. What _______ _______ _______ forward to? (look)
3. How often _______ _______ _______ sport? (play)
4. _______ _______ _______ your mobile phone a lot? (use)
5. What TV shows _______ _______ _______ at the moment? (watch)
6. What time _______ _______ usually _______ up? (wake)
7. Where _______ _______ _______ after class? (go)
8. When _______ this course _______? (finish)
9. _______ _______ _______ tired today? (feel)
10. What kind of food _______ _______ _______? (like)
11. What _______ _______ _______ for dinner tonight? (have)
12. What _______ _______ _______ this weekend? (do)
B. Now, take it in turns to ask and answer the questions with your partner.
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