THURSDAY OCTOBER 22ND

A. Present Progressive/Continuous

FORM

[am/is/are + present participle]

Examples:

• You are watching TV.
• Are you watching TV?
• You are not watching TV.

USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

Examples:

• You are learning English now.
• You are not swimming now.
• Are you sleeping?
• I am sitting.
• I am not standing.
• Is he sitting or standing?
• They are reading their books.
• They are not watching television.
• What are you doing?
• Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

• I am studying to become a doctor.
• I am not studying to become a dentist.
• I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
• I am not reading any books right now.
• Are you working on any special projects at work?
• Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

• I am meeting some friends after work.
• I am not going to the party tonight.
• Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
• Isn't he coming with us tonight?

B. The MIMING Game

Select 3 pieces of paper from the hat and go in front of the class and mime the action.  The rest of the students have to try to guess the action.  Keep track of the points

You need to say: He/She is..........

C. Past Progressive/Continuous FORM [was/were + present participle] Examples: You were studying when she called. Were you studying when she called? You were not studying when she called. USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time. Examples: I was watching TV when she called. When the phone rang, she was writing a letter. While we were having the picnic, it started to rain. What were you doing when the earthquake started? I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm. You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off. While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car. Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane. While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off. A: What were you doing when you broke your leg? B: I was snowboarding. USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption. Examples: Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. At midnight, we were still driving through the desert. Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work. IMPORTANT In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action. Examples: Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner. I started eating at 6 PM. Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner. USE 3 Parallel Actions When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel. Examples: I was studying while he was making dinner. While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television. Were you listening while he was talking? I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes. What were you doing while you were waiting? Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either. They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time. USE 4 Atmosphere In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past. Example: When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customerswere waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service. D. What were you doing when....? Using the past progressive tense Write down the answers to the following questions.  Start your answer with "I was……" Hollande was elected president of France Saturday night at 9pm Olympic game opening ceremony in Sochi At 8am this morning E. Future Simple Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." These two forms can be used interchangeabl. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future. FORM Will [will + verb] Examples: You will help him later. Will you help him later? You will not help him later. FORM Be Going To [am/is/are + going to + verb] Examples: You are going to meet Jane tonight. Are you going to meet Jane tonight? You are not going to meet Jane tonight. F. What do you plan to do once you finish your studies? Imagine that you plan to take a long trip with some friends or your family after finishing your studies. Think about the place(s) and activities and answer the following questions: WHERE will you go and why? Be very descriptive WHAT will you do and why? Come up with at least 3 things to do in this place(s) Present your trip and activities to the class