What Were You Doing When…? is a structured past continuous ESL lesson plan designed for pre-intermediate learners (A2–B1). This grammar refresher helps students describe actions in progress in the past and confidently contrast past continuous with past simple through realistic, modern situations.
 
Learners practise:
Describing background actions in the past
Identifying and expressing interruptions
Using while for simultaneous actions
Building short, clear stories with natural sequencing
Speaking fluently about everyday moments
 
Through specific, relatable scenarios, students strengthen accuracy while developing confidence in real communication.
 
What Students Practise
By the end of the lesson, students can:
Use was/were + verb-ing to describe past actions in progress
Contrast past continuous with past simple accurately
Describe two simultaneous actions using while
Tell short stories with clear sequencing
Speak about real-life interruptions naturally
 
Who Is It For?
Ideal for:
A2–B1 adult learners
Grammar revision sessions
Speaking-focused lessons
Online or in-person teaching
Private tutoring and small groups