Posted on by karolasenglishblog

Holiday heaven & hell

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Introduction: 

This is a creative speaking activity inspired by a great book by Edward de Bono called “Creativity Workout”.

Objective:

  1. To brainstorm vocabulary related to holiday and travelling.
  2. To build fluency by using vocabulary in a fun and entertaining way.

Materials:  

  1. One die per pair or small group.
  2. One set of cut up Holiday heaven and hell task cards per pair or small group.

Procedure:

  1. Draw a 6 x 6 grid on the board.
  2. Divide the class into teams, e.g. Three teams of 2.
  3. Start with the square in the top left hand corner and write any summer, holiday, or travel related word inside it, e.g. a tent.
  4. Each team has to quickly think of another summer, holiday, or travel related word that starts with the last letter of the previous word, e.g. tent > travel.
  5. The teams receive a point for each correct word. Discourage the use of dictionaries unless students run out of ideas.
  6. When the grid is complete, put students in pairs or small groups and handout one set of cut up task cards. Taking it in turns to pick a card, students obtain the words and complete the task.
  7. To obtain words for the speaking activity students throw the die twice: the first throw indicates which column they are going to use and the second indicates which row they are going to use. Depending on the task, they must roll for the number of words and use them repetitively to complete the activity.
  8. The tasks on the cards are just examples of activities that can be done with random words. They could be done in one session or you could choose a few to do as a warmer or plenary.

Related posts:

Random words

Random words return

Posted on by karolasenglishblog

Back to life, back to reality

Introduction:

This is a needs analysis board game to do at the beginning of the course and to give both the teacher and the students an idea of what they already know and what they want to achieve in this course or academic year.

Level:  B2 +

Time: 35 minutes

Objectives:

  1. To determine students’ needs at the beginning of the course.

Materials:

One Back to life, back to reality board game and one die per pair or a small group of 3.

Procedure:

  1. Print the board game and put students in pairs or small groups of 3.
  2. Players take it in turns to throw the die and move the numbers thrown.
  3. To obtain a question for the speaking activity students throw the die twice. The first throw indicates which column they are going to use and the second indicates which row they are going to use.
  4. All the players must answer the question in as much detail as possible.
  5. The game continues in a circle going left and until students have answered at least 5 questions.
  6. During the activity monitor very carefully and take notes.
  7. At the end, ask students (still in their groups) to write three things they had in common with their classmates, (e.g. they need English for their jobs, they want to improve their listening comprehension, etc.) and three differences, (e.g. they have learnt English in different countries, etc).

P.S. Thank you Alex.