Posted on by karolasenglishblog · 1 Comment

On top of the world

Introduction:

This is an activity to introduce and practise idioms with the word TOP. Students first complete the idioms with the missing word, match the idioms to their definitions (Exercise 2), complete the sentences in Exercise 3 with their own ideas and then complete and answer questions (Exercise 4) in pairs or small groups.

Level: B2+

Time: 60 minutes

Objectives:

  1. To introduce idioms with the word TOP.
  2. To increase familiarity and correct use of idioms with the word TOP.
  3. To develop fluency and answer questions containing the target language in pairs.

Materials:

on-top-of-the-worldDownload
on-top-of-the-world-answersDownload

Procedure:

  1. Hand out a copy of On top of the world Worksheet and ask students to place the sheets of paper in front of them FACE DOWN.
  2. Tell them to, on the word GO, turn over the worksheet, scan the expressions in Exercise 1 and find ONE word that completes ALL expressions. Tell students the SAME word is missing from all the expressions.
  3. Check together as a class.
  4. Now ask students to come up with their own definitions of the idioms using the context provided (Exercise 2). Tell them not to look at the definitions provided on the right.
  5. Now ask students to match the idioms to their definitions on the right.
  6. Check together as a class but again ask students to first compare their answers with their classmates and justify their answers. 
  7. Ask students to complete sentences in Exercise 3 with their own ideas. They will have the opportunity to see the expressions in a different context.
  8. When they have finished, ask them to discuss their answers with their classmates and provide more detail.
  9. Next students complete the expressions with the missing words (Exercise 4) and answer the questions in pairs or small groups.
  10. When the students have finished, ask them to share what they have learnt about their classmates.

Fast finishers: 

Ask students to draw, define, describe and write a sentence with 4 chosen expressions.

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From head to toe

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Somewhere over the rainbow 

Cats & Dogs

Posted on by karolasenglishblog · 2 Comments

BFF

With my BFF 🙂
Image property of Karolina Wyrzykowska

Introduction:

This is a board game activity to talk about friends and friendships. It is a great way to help students practise speaking and develop fluency, and prepare for speaking exams.

Don’t forget to feed students new vocabulary throughout the activity, correct and/ or find opportunities to help them express themselves more precisely and accurately. Ask students to research the topic before the class and then teach others the vocabulary they have prepared.

As always encourage students to comment on each other’s responses and elaborate as much as possible.

Level: B1+

Objectives:

  1. To practise speaking about friends and friendships.
  2. To increase fluency and confidence.

Materials (Click on the worksheet below to download the PDF file):

bffDownload

A die (use an online dice roller) 

Procedure:

  1. Brainstorm relationship vocabulary. 
  2. Give students a copy of the board game or display it on the screen.
  3. The teacher (or one of the students) throws the dice twice – the first throw indicates which column they should use, and the second throw indicates which row, to obtain the question.
  4. The player must then answer the question and provide their classmates with as much detail as possible. Encourage students to ask additional questions and ask for clarification and details. Whilst the student is speaking you could ask others to note down specific vocabulary related to friends and relationships in general that he/she used and that were mentioned in the brainstorming session at the beginning of the activity.
  5. At the end, ask students to give you three unexpected things they have learnt about their classmates.

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How well do you know your folks?

Single and ready to mingle

Posted on by karolasenglishblog

Quite a conversation piece


Reaching for the light
(All images are property of Karolina Wyrzykowska)

Introduction:

This is a board game activity to talk about the weather. It is a great way to help students practise speaking and develop fluency, prepare for the FCE /CAE speaking exams and a great excuse to chat about, surely, everyone’s favourite topic.

Don’t forget to feed students new vocabulary throughout the activity and obviously draw their attention to any mistakes they might be making or find opportunities to help them express themselves more effectively and precisely. You could always prepare a thematic vocabulary list and send it to the students before the class or even ask them to research the topic themselves and then teach others the vocabulary they have prepared.

As always encourage students to comment on each other’s responses. 

Level: B1+

Objectives:

  1. To practise speaking about the weather.
  2. To increase fluency and confidence.

Materials (Click on the worksheet below to download the PDF file):

quite-a-conversation-pieceDownload

A die (use an online dice roller) 

Procedure:

  1. Brainstorm weather vocabulary. 
  2. Give students a copy of the board game or display it on the screen.
  3. The teacher (or one of the students) throws the dice twice – the first throw indicates which column they should use, and the second throw indicates which row, to obtain the question.
  4. The player must then answer the question and provide their classmates with as much detail as possible. Encourage students to ask additional questions and ask for clarification and details. Whilst the student is speaking you could ask others to note down specific vocabulary related to the weather that he/she used and that were mentioned in the brainstorming session at the beginning of the activity.
  5. At the end, ask students to give you three unexpected things they have learnt about their classmates.

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Triple Treat

Triple treat makes a comeback

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