The Difference Between The Past Simple and Past Continuous

SIMPLE PAST TENSE Used with an adverbial of time, to indicate a past action which probably started at the specified time. Digunakan dengan keterangan waktu untuk menunjukkan kejadian yang berawal pada waktu tersebut. E.g.: He had breakfast at six.
When she arrived, I called Lenny. To indicate a more permanent past action. Untuk kejadian lampau yang bersifat agak permanen. E.g.: He lived in Malang for six years.
The old tree stood in the yard for more than a hundred years. To indicate an unusual or deliberate past action instead of normal occurence. Subject had the initiative. Untuk kejadian lampau yang tidak biasa, disengaja dan bukan hasil dari kejadian normal. Ada inisiatif dari Subyek untuk melakukannya. E.g.: I talked to him on that matter. He washed the car for about an hour.
To indicate a repeated past action which happened several times. Untuk kejadian lampau yang berulang-ulang atau terjadi beberapa kali. E.g.: I met him several times.
She sent me a few letters. Used with "always", to indicate a habitual past action. Dengan "always", menceritakan kebiasaan waktu lampau. E.g.: She always watched TV before going to bed.
In narratives, to indicate events or actions. Dalam narasi, menggambarkan peristiwa atau kejadian. E.g.: Suddenly, the door opened and a man stood at the door.  

PAST CONTINUOUS Used with an adverbial of time, to indicate a past action which started before, was happening, and probably continued after the specified time. Digunakan dengan keterangan waktu untuk menunjukkan kejadian yang sedang berlangsung pada saat itu (dimulai sebelumnya, dan mungkin berakhir sesudahnya). E.g.: At six, he was having breakfast.
When she arrived, I was calling Lenny. To indicate a temporary past action. Untuk kejadian lampau yang bersifat lebih sementara. E.g. It happened while I was living in Malang ten years ago.
I was sitting at my table when the teacher came in. To indicate an usual or unintentional past action, or one which resulted from a normal occurrence. It is not clear who took the initiative. Untuk kejadian lampau yang tidak disengaja, atau yang merupakan hasil dari kejadian normal/biasa. Tidak jelas siapa yang mengambil inisiatif. E.g.: I was talking to him the other day.
She was walking home that evening. To indicate parallel actions. Untuk lebih dari satu kejadian lampau yang sedang terjadi secara bersamaan. E.g.: Between one and two, I was doing the shopping and walking the dog. Used with "always", to indicate a repeated and annoying past action. Dengan "always", menceritakan kejadian lampau yang berulang-ulang dan terasa mengganggu/menjengkelkan. E.g.: They were always playing the music loudly.
In narratives, to indicate background events or descriptions. Dalam narasi, memberikan deskripsi atau latar belakang. E.g.: The bride was wearing a white dress and carrying a bouquet of lilies. The bridegroom was trembling and looking pale. Suddenly, ....

About Past Simple

We use the Past Simple to talk about actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The actions can be short or long. There can be a few actions happening one ofter another.
Use
*Events in the past that are now finished
*Situation in the past
*A series of actions in the past
Use 1: Past actions that are now finished The first use of the Past Simple to express actions that happened at a specific time in the past. The actions can be short or long.
 *John cut his finger last week. short
*I went to college 3 years ago. long
*He ate the dinner 1 hour ago. short
*I slept well last night. long
Use 2: Situation in the past Another use of this tense is talk about situations in the past. *
I lived in New York for 10 years (I don't live there anymore).
Use 3: A series of actions in the past The Past Simple can also be used with a few actions in the past happening one after another.
*He entered a room, lit a cigarette and smiled at the guests.
Form Forming a sentence in the Past Simple is easy. To form a declarative sentence, all you need is the subject of the sentence (e.g. I, you, he, a dog) and the past form of your verb (e.g. was, talked, swam). Questions and negative sentences are only a little more difficult, because they require an auxiliary verb. Declarative Sentences Subject + Verb (past form) e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. walked, went, took, etc. Examples
*I lived in New York for 10 years.
*Mike walked in, looked around and smiled to us.
*He married a woman who lived in the same village.
*I ate the cake yesterday.

Questions 
DID + Subject + Verb (present form) e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc.
Examples
*How long did he work there?
*Didthe telephone ring?
*Did you see that?

Negative Sentences
Subject + Didn't + Verb (present form) e.g. he, she, a dog, etc. e.g. go, make, have, etc. Examples
*He didn't learn any Italian when he was in Italy two year ago.
*I wasn't at my grandma's when you came.
*He didn't get any good grades when he attended school.