What Are You Doing? — Student

1

Listening

10 minutes

Dialogue: Ana calls Leo on the phone. He lies about what he's doing.

Ana and Leo

Here is the text from the listening. Read along and check your answers.

Hi! What are you doing?

I'm studying English.

Really? I can hear music!

OK, I'm listening to music. And watching TV.

What are the children doing?

They're sleeping.

Are you sure?

Well, they're playing video games.

Leo!

or click any bubble to hear one line

Comprehension:

1. What does Leo say he's doing first?

2. What is Leo REALLY doing?

3. Are the children sleeping?

2

Language Focus

12 minutes

Grammar: present continuous (am/is/are + -ing): affirmative, negative, questions

Form	Structure
Affirmative	I'm studying English.,She's making dinner.,They're playing video games.,It's raining.
Negative	I'm not watching TV.,He isn't sleeping.,They aren't studying.
Interrogative	What are you doing?,Is she sleeping?,Are they playing?

Common Errors

I studying English. → I'm studying English.

She is make dinner. → She is making dinner.

3

Practice

15 minutes

Present Continuous Chart

Complete the chart with am, is, or are + -ing.

1. I studying. (am/is/are)

2. You watching TV. (am/is/are)

3. He sleeping. (am/is/are)

4. She reading. (am/is/are)

5. We listening to music. (am/is/are)

6. They playing games. (am/is/are)

What's Happening Now?

Complete with the present continuous form of the verb.

1. She's dinner right now. (make)

2. I'm a really good book. (read)

3. He's TV. He isn't . (watch / not watch → not study)

4. We're for a taxi. (wait)

5. it ? Take an umbrella! (rain)

6. They're in a hotel near the beach. (stay)

What Are They Doing?

Match the description to the activity.

Column A

Eyes closed, in bed

In the kitchen, with pans

At a desk, with books

Holding a phone, talking

On the sofa, with the remote

At the bus stop, looking at watch

Column B

calling

sleeping

waiting

watching TV

studying

cooking

Phone Call: What Are You Doing?

Practice phone calls. Sometimes tell the truth, sometimes lie like Leo!

Scenario:

You're on the phone with a friend. They ask what you're doing.

Useful Expressions

What are you doing?I'm [verb]-ing.What are the children/kids doing?They're [verb]-ing.Are you sure?Well, actually...

Round 1 — Tell the truth

TEACHER: Hi! What are you doing?
YOU: I'm studying English.
TEACHER: Really? What else?
YOU: And I'm listening to music.
TEACHER: Nice!

Round 2 — Lie like Leo!

TEACHER: What are you doing?
YOU: I'm studying. (LIE!)
TEACHER: I can hear the TV!
YOU: OK, I'm watching TV.
TEACHER: And what are the kids doing?
YOU: They're sleeping. (LIE!)
TEACHER: Are you sure?
YOU: Well, they're playing video games!

Round 3 — You call the teacher!

YOU: Hi! What are you doing?
TEACHER: I'm cooking dinner.
YOU: What are the children doing?
TEACHER: They're doing homework. (Or are they?!)
YOU: Are you sure?
TEACHER: Well...

4

Let's Talk

13 minutes

Let's Talk!

Use what you learned today to answer these questions. Elaborate as much as you can!

Talking about what you and others are doing right now.

1. What are you doing right now?

Follow-up: What else? Are you drinking coffee?

2. What is your family doing right now?

Follow-up: Are they at home?

3. It's Saturday night. What are your friends doing?

Follow-up: Are they having fun?

Self-Assessment

How did you do today?

✓
I can say what I'm doing right now.
✓
I can ask what others are doing: 'What are you doing?'
✓
I can describe actions happening now with am/is/are + -ing.

Great work today!

Next class: What are you wearing? — Clothes and habit vs NOW.