1. PAST SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS
AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, PLEASE DO THE FILL IN EXERCISE.
ChiaraSbarbada2015

2. The PAST SIMPLE is formed by ONE verb. It can be regular or irregular.
I studied English yesterday.
I saw a football match last Sunday.
The PAST CONTINUOUS is formed by TWO verbs:
Past simple of BE
verb +ing.
I was doing my homework.
ChiaraSbarbada2015

3. She came home, switched on the computer and checked her e-mails.
When you use SIMPLE PAST you express that the actions in the past happened one after another 
She came home, switched on the computer and checked her s.
When you use Past Continuous the actions in the past happened at the same time
Simon was playing on the computer while his brother was watching TV.
ChiaraSbarbada2015

4. When you use SIMPLE PAST When you use Past Continuous
you only want to
mention that an action took place in the past
Colin played football yesterday.
When you use Past Continuous
You want to put emphasis on the progress, e.g. that an action was taking place at a certain time
Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was playing football.
ChiaraSbarbada2015

5. I was sitting in a meeting.
If you want to express that a new action happened in the middle of another action, you need both tenses: Simple Past for the new action and Past Continuous for the action already in progress.
When my mobile rang
I was sitting in a meeting.
My mobile suddenly rang.
While (mentre) I was sitting in a meeting,
ChiaraSbarbada2015

6. While Tom (play)…..…… the piano, his mother (do)……..… the washing-up.
When I (be) …..……  on my way home, I (see) …..……  an accident.
I (fall) …..……   asleep while I (watch)  …..……  TV last night.
Tom (break) …..……   his leg when he (play) …..……   frisbee.
ChiaraSbarbada2015