Maps and directions form the theme of this writing task using prepositions of place. Students complete short descriptions of places from a map of Canterbury, England.
1. Copy one sheet for each individual student and distribute them.
2. Focus students' attention on the instructions. Students must look at the map and write the location of the places using the prepositions of place given.
3. Monitor the students, and when appropriate provide any necessary individual language or vocabulary input.
4. Give students a warning when their time limit is about to expire and then insist on pens down and heads up.
5. For feedback, there are a number of options including students writing some/all of the answers on the board, students orally contributing their answers etc.
6. Draw the students' attention to any specific mistakes which seem prevalent through the work and offer language input.
Type:
A class mingle activity
Level:
Starter
Time:
25 minutes
Skill:
Speaking
Work:
Students work individually then as a whole group
Stage:
Controlled grammar speaking practice
Grammar:
Have Got
This low level 'find someone who' handout focuses students' learning on 'have got' and everyday objects. Students write questions with 'have got' and the objects, later asking and answering questions, practising have got as a result.
1. Copy one handout for each individual student and distribute them.
2. Focus students' attention on the instructions. Students must first write questions with have got and the objects appearing in the pictures. Depending on the ability of the students, the questions can be checked at this stage.
3. Next, tell them to stand up and mingle and to get a different person to answer every question. Provide students with necessary examples to encourage them to speak. Allow students the time necessary to get the required amount of answers from their fellow students.
4. Monitor the students, providing language input or error correction when necessary.
5. Finally, elicit responses from some of the students and draw to their attention any appropriate vocabulary or serious language mistakes.
Type:
A pair work activity
Level:
Elementary
Time:
20 minutes
Skill:
Speaking
Work:
Students work in pairs
Stage:
Controlled grammar speaking practice
Grammar:
Possessive Pronouns
If students are overwhelmed by pronoun tables, then this handout has a lot to offer. Students read out loud and correct sentences together that contain obvious pronoun mistakes. The answers are given, allowing students to pair check.
1. Copy one handout per pair of students, and cut the handouts up into A and B.
2. Put the students into pairs with an A and B student, and distribute the handouts.
3. Focus students' attention on the instructions and make sure students aren't looking at each other's sheets. Students must read their mistaken sentences to their partner who must correct the pronoun errors.
4. Monitor the students, providing language input or error correction when necessary.
5. Finally, elicit responses from some of the students and draw to their attention any appropriate vocabulary or serious language mistakes.
Type:
An individual writing task
Level:
Pre-Intermediate
Time:
15 minutes
Skill:
Writing
Work:
Students work individually
Stage:
Controlled grammar writing practice
Grammar:
Defining Relative Pronouns
This definition-writing sheet is perfect for introducing this fluency-related grammar at this level. Students complete the missing definitions of everyday items with a defining relative pronoun and their own knowledge.
1. Copy one sheet for each individual student and distribute them.
2. Focus students' attention on the instructions. Students complete the definitions of the things 1-12 with a defining relative pronoun and an appropriate verb.
3. Monitor the students, and when appropriate provide any necessary individual language or vocabulary input.
4. Give students a warning when their time limit is about to expire and then insist on pens down and heads up.
5. For feedback, options include students writing some/all of the answers on the board or students orally contributing their answers.
6. Draw the students' attention to part B and ask if they can tell you which sentences can use the pronoun 'that' instead (the ones with 'who' or 'which').
Type:
A pair work activity
Level:
Pre-Intermediate
Time:
15 minutes
Skill:
Speaking
Work:
Students work in pairs
Stage:
Controlled grammar speaking practice
Grammar:
Passives
Looking for a low-level speaking task that covers the reasons why we use the passive? This great pair or group speaking task involves students describing various objects with the present and past simple passive.
1. Copy one sheet for each individual student.
2. Put the students into pairs, and hand out the worksheets one between two/three (give out the remaining sheets after the activity to ensure better pair/group work).
3. Focus students' attention on the instructions and provide students with necessary examples to encourage them to speak.
4. Allow students the time necessary to discuss each item on the list using the passive with their partner(s).
5. Monitor the students, providing language input or error correction when necessary.
6. Make sure now every student has a copy of the sheet, and elicit responses from some of the students and draw to their attention any appropriate vocabulary or serious language mistakes.
Type:
A group board game
Level:
IELTS
Time:
15-20 minutes
Skill:
Speaking
Work:
Students work in groups of 3-4
Stage:
Language speaking practice
Grammar:
Linking Words
This linking words board game is great for improving students' use of extended speech. Students play a fun 'talk for a minute' board game and choose linking words at the roll of a dice.
1. Copy one board game handout for each group of three to four students.
2. Put students into groups of three to four players. Each group needs counters (bits of paper or coins) and two dice. If you don't have a dice, put 2-12 on pieces of paper and students can draw them from an envelope or a plastic bag.
3. Each player puts a counter on the 'start' square. The first student talks about the topic on square one, and rolls the dice to find out what linking words to use. The student says the sentence, using the linking word and the information he/she knows. The other students listen and ask questions.
4. The next student rolls the dice and completes the topic on square 2. The game continues.
5. Monitor the students, and when appropriate provide any necessary language or vocabulary input.
6. Draw the students' attention to any specific mistakes which seem prevalent through the work and offer language input.
Type:
An individual writing task
Level:
Intermediate
Time:
15 minutes
Skill:
Writing
Work:
Students work individually
Stage:
Controlled grammar writing practice
Grammar:
Indirect Questions
Students not getting the basics of indirect questions? Struggling to be more polite when they know they should? This handout features both writing and speaking practice across the full range of different indirect question forms.
1. Copy one handout for each individual student and distribute them.
2. Focus students' attention on the instructions. Students must write indirect questions to get the information needed for filling in the CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY. It maybe helpful for students to consider the direct speech questions first.
3. Monitor the students, and when appropriate provide any necessary individual language or vocabulary input.
4. Give students a warning when their time limit is about to expire and feedback the correct indirect questions (see stage 5). For extra speaking practice, move on to part C where students can ask and answer the questions and fill out the form with their partner's information.
5. For feedback, options include students writing some/all of the answers on the board or students orally contributing their answers.
6. Draw the students' attention to any specific mistakes which seem prevalent through the work and offer language input.
Type:
A pair work activity
Level:
Upper-Intermediate
Time:
20 minutes
Skill:
Speaking
Work:
Students work in pairs
Stage:
Controlled grammar speaking practice
Grammar:
Future Perfect and Continuous
A classic topic-based 'tell me about' worksheet that gets students using the future perfect and continuous, this is a useful conversation starter with many examples given and easy structures to follow.
1. Copy one sheet for each individual student.
2. Put the students into pairs, and hand out the worksheets one between two (give out the remaining sheets after the activity to ensure better pair work).
3. Focus students' attention on the instructions and provide students with necessary examples to encourage them to speak.
4. Allow students the time necessary to discuss each sentence with their partner.
5. Monitor the students, providing language input or error correction when necessary.
6. Finally elicit responses from some of the students and draw to their attention any appropriate vocabulary or serious language mistakes.