Quote Originally Posted by Seraph View Post
This looks something like the difference between "Were you visiting Ireland?" and "Did you visit Ireland?" "Were you speaking with your friend?" and "Did you speak with your friend?"

Related to the "have you...?" and "did you...?" points on the other thread.
Я думаю, что у многих русскоязычных такие же трудности с употреблением Present Perfect/Simple Past, как и у студентов русского - с сов./несов. видами глаголов.