Present Simple versus Present Continuous

We often confuse the use of the present simple and the present continuous. One of the reasons for this confusion is that in Spanish we often use both tenses to express the same idea. Watch this video to see the difference.


For example, with the question "What sports are you practising at the moment?" (present continuous) in Spanish I could say "¿Qué deportes estás practicando en estos momentos?", but I could also say "¿Qué deportes practicas/haces en este momento?" (present simple). In English using the present simple for an activity you are doing "at the moment" is wrong. Remember the different uses of these two tenses. Check this table to see the difference.

Paying attention to the time expression you are using is also a good way to know what tense to use. Look at the difference.

I usually go to the cinema once a week. (P.S.)

I'm watching films on TV at present. (P.C.)

I usually play tennis twice a week. (P.S.)

I'm playing video games these days. (P.C.)



To practise the difference between these two tenses, go to this link and play the games they offer you. Remember, we can have fun while learning.

What kind of music do you like?

Hi, everybody!

We are all listening to music these days much more than we used to do in the past. In lesson 6C (the last lesson we are going to study this school year) we are going to learn vocabulary related to music (instruments and kinds of music). Complete the activities on pages 88 and 89. Remember you can also find more activities online (you have to use the access code you will find on the first page of your textbook). Finally, complete the Youtube quiz I attached to this post and make a comment telling us if you play any instruments and / or what kind of music you like and what singers are you listening to during this quarantine. To practise your speaking you can have a video call with a classmate and interview your partner with the questionnaire on page 89 (activity 3).

Homework: You have to write an email following the instructions on page 201 (activity 5). You need to write it on a Word document and send it to me by email. Deadline: Sunday 3 May (included). Number of words: 100-120. 

Enjoy music, enjoy life and keep safe.

Bye for now.

The second Monday in April

Hi, everybody!

How was your Easter week? This is the second Monday in April and we have almost won the battle against Covid'19, at least on our islands. Congratulations for doing it so well and staying at home!

This week we are going to study lesson 6B (pages 86 and 87). Complete all the activities on your textbook; remember to correct yourself with the Answer Key I have sent you by email. In this lesson we are going to study how to express likes and dislikes using verbs of emotion (love, like, enjoy, hate or I don't mind). Compare these two pair or sentences:

1.a. I  love music                         1.b.  I love listening to music
2.a  I don't like horror films          2.b. I don't like watching horror films at night.

As you can see, in sentences a. I only use one verb related to emotions, but in sentences b. I'm using two verbs; you have to add the suffix -ing to the second verb.  Check Grammar Bank 6B (page 220) and do the activities a) and b) on page 221. Watch the Youtube video on this post for more revision. Then, record yourself and upload your own video on Flipgrid, using the same code I sent you last week. Tell us the activities you love, like, don't mind, don't like or hate doing in your free time or during this quarantine.

In this lesson, we are also studying vocabulary about the weather and dates (vocabulary Bank page 245). Pay special attention to how you say dates (activities 1e and 1f). We have already studied dates in class, but it's important to review them. To practise speaking, I recommend you to use skype or WhatsApp (videcall) and ask each other the questions on page 87. You can also send me an email answering these three questions (5a, page 87) and I will answer back.

This is the homework for this week. Next week, we are going to learn how to write an email and I will ask you to send me one for correction.

Stay safe and cheer up, my dearest students. You are all doing a great job by staying at home.

Warm regards,

María.

Happy Easter!

Hi, folks!

As I promised, this week I'm only posting a link with activities to do about Easter. In this website you will find activities for A1 (Beginners) and A2 (Elementary) and even B1 (Pre-intermediate) students. Click in your favourite activities and try to do them online.

Do not forget to complete the activities from my previous posts, especially the videos on Flipgrid. Check my e-mails to find the code you need to use for this activity.

Stay safe and keep your English alive too. ;)

Happy Easter, everybody!