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