Present Continuous
Present Continuous
Use the cover to set a lively tone. Mention that the lesson will use music, AI, and digital tasks to practise English.
Our lesson goal
I can identify the Present Continuous tense, form affirmative, negative, and question sentences, and describe actions happening now.
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What is happening now?
We use the Present Continuous for actions happening now or at the moment of speaking.
I am studying English.
She is reading a book.
They are playing football.
He is listening to music.
Keep the explanation simple: 'now' is the key idea. Point to actions in the classroom if possible.
The basic structure
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
I am studying.
He / She / It is reading.
You / We / They are playing.
Highlight the helping verb first, then the -ing form. Students at this level need repeated exposure to the pattern.
Three sentence types
Negative
I am not running.
He is not drinking.
Questions
Are you studying?
Is she reading?
Negative and questions
I am writing.
She is eating.
They are listening.
Affirmative
Model the short forms orally if helpful: I'm, isn't, aren't. Keep the slide itself clear and uncluttered.
Action words
These action words help us make Present Continuous sentences:
study
read
write
run
play
eat
drink
listen
Introduce the words with gestures or quick mime to support understanding.
Vocabulary examples 1
Study → I am studying for school.
Read → She is reading a story.
Write → He is writing in his notebook.
Run → They are running in the park.
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Vocabulary examples 2
Play → We are playing a game.
Eat → She is eating lunch.
Drink → He is drinking water.
Listen → I am listening to music.
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Which sentence is in the Present Continuous?
He is reading
He reading
He reads
He read
Checks recognition of the pattern subject + am/is/are + verb-ing after the explanation and examples.
Song
Read the questions aloud if needed. The later interaction pass can turn these into clickable multiple-choice items.
Song check
Complete the line: We are ______ happily.
A. learn
B. learning
C. learned
Which sentence is a Present Continuous sentence?
A. I am listening.
B. I listen.
C. I listened.
Which action matches the song?
A. drinking
B. flying
C. listening
Accept oral answers and ask students to repeat the full correct sentence, not only the letter.
In the chorus, what comes after am, is, are?
an adjective
verb-ing
a past verb
a question word
Directly tied to the chorus line: 'Am, is, are plus verb-ing'.
Complete the song lines
I am studying, look at me. She is quietly. He is writing, one, two, three. We are happily. They are playing after school, and he is by the pool.
Correct answers: reading, learning, running. These are exact words from the song slides.
Which part of the song helped you most?
am/is/are
verb-ing
action words
the chorus
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Pronunciation: -ing
Practise the -ing ending clearly.
I am studying.
She is reading.
He is running.
They are playing.
We are listening.
Model the final /ɪŋ/ sound clearly. Students often drop the ending, so exaggerate it slightly first.
Say it clearly
Focus on the full sentence rhythm:
I am stu-dy-ing.
She is read-ing.
He is run-ning.
They are play-ing.
We are lis-ten-ing.
Clap the syllables if helpful. This supports both pronunciation and confidence.
Digital grammar practice
Use a digital tool such as LessonUp for short grammar tasks:
Multiple choice: She ___ reading.
Matching: subject + am/is/are
True or False: They is playing.
Fill in the blanks: We are ___
Put in order: playing / are / they
Keep examples very short. The point is to show how the digital task practises the target form directly.
Technology in this lesson
CALL
Technology helps students practise English.
Example: an AI song helps students hear am/is/are + verb-ing.
E-learning
Students learn with online tools and digital resources.
Example: students complete a LessonUp task online.
CALL and E-learning
Blended Learning
Blended Learning
Students learn with the teacher and with digital tools.
Example: the teacher explains the tense in class, then students use the song and online practice.
Keep the definitions simple and practical. Emphasise one clear example for each approach.
Why music and AI help
Music makes grammar easier to remember.
AI audio gives extra listening practice.
Digital tasks give quick practice and feedback.
Students hear, say, read, and use the tense.
Link this slide back to the objective: students are recognising, forming, and using the Present Continuous.
Which sentence has the best -ing form?
They are play
They are played
They are playing
They playing are
Supports pronunciation and sentence rhythm by reinforcing the full spoken pattern.
Lesson summary
We use the Present Continuous for actions happening now.
Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
Example:
I am learning English.
She is listening to music.
They are playing.
What are you doing right now?
Invite students to answer with one sentence about themselves. Keep the focus on the target structure.
Glossary
Present Continuous - a tense for actions happening now
subject - the person or thing in the sentence
verb - an action word
affirmative - a positive sentence
negative - a sentence with not
question - a sentence that asks something
action - something a person does
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Glossary
study - to learn about a subject
read - to look at words in a book or text
write - to make words with a pen or keyboard
run - to move fast on your feet
play - to do a game or sport
eat - to have food
drink - to have water or another liquid
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Glossary
listen - to pay attention to sound
AI - computer technology that can create or help with tasks
CALL - Computer-Assisted Language Learning
E-learning - learning with digital or online resources
Blended Learning - learning with classroom teaching and digital tools
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