The “Present Continuous” (or “Present Progressive”) is the name given to the tense which is used to speak about what is happening “now” or ongoing at the present time in the speaker’s or writer’s life.
When teaching new ESL learners the present progressive, teachers tell them to use this grammatical form only to say what is happening “now” – at the moment of speech. For example, “He is sitting and I am standing” can be used when the speaker is seeing the action at the moment the sentence is uttered.
However, at a later stage in a student’s studies, teachers explain that this tense need not apply only to what is happening on the clock at that moment, but rather includes a broader diameter referring to “what is happening at this time in someone’s life.” For example, “My son is studying at college” can be used to mean at this particular time in his life although today may be Sunday and in fact no studying is taking place at all.
Practicing the Present Continuous (Progressive)
This sample dialog script includes content relating only to “now”, to be used with early learners. The vocabulary is simple as this is usually the first tense studied by students. Prepare a script such as this one and have the students write a dialog for homework or as a class exercise. Students, in pairs, can practice the dialogs and perform them in front of the class.
Role-Play Dialog Script for the Present Continuous (Progressive)
Setting: Two TVs are on and each one is showing a chef presenting a food program. Although there are two speakers in this script, the “actors” are not conversing with each other, but each is presenting his/her own food show. The script gives each speaker a turn, but essentially each “chef” is speaking as if giving a monologue.
- Chef A: And now I am making the chocolate cake
- Chef B: And today I am showing you wonderful potato fries.
- Chef A: I am putting the flour, sugar, cocoa, eggs and butter in a big bowl.
- Chef B: I am washing the potatoes. Now I am drying them with a towel. I am peeling the potatoes and cutting them into long chips.
- Chef B: I am mixing everything in the bowl. I am putting in some vanilla. This is looking really delicious. I am eating a little of it. Oh, I am trying a little more. Mmmmm delicious.
- Chef A: I am putting oil on the stove. The oil is heating up.
- Chef B: I am putting the mixture into a baking dish. I am putting the dish in the oven. The oven is 375 degrees.
- Chef A: Now, slowly, I am putting the potatoes into the hot oil.
- Chef B: I am waiting now for the chocolate cake.
- Chef A: I am waiting for the fries to be ready.
- Chef B: And now, here is the cake. Beautiful! I am eating the cake now. Hot and delicious!
- Chef A: Mmm, and now, I am taking the fries out the oil. I am salting the fries... and….eating two delicious fries. Amazing! The best fries in the world.
Creating, writing, reading and acting out dialogs and other scripts are an excellent way to incorporate new grammar in the ESL classroom.
Related articles:
Grammar Role-Play Script Ideas for ESL Acquisition
Role-Play Scripts: Present Simple Tense Practice
Lucille Lever - Creative teaching ideas can be incorporated into any kind of lesson. As a teacher of ESL and creative drama for more than 30 years, in a ...
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