The aim of this dominoes game is to revise various phrasal verbs and use them in context. Aimed at FCE/CAE and Upper-Intermediate/Advanced levels. It might be used a warm-up activity, a filler, or as a pre-test revision activity. It works great as a contest between groups too.
Lesson Plans
Business English speaking: persuasion
I prepared this speaking activity for my adult Business English students to help them practice using persuasion and structuring their arguments better. It combines discussion section with role-play, which makes it a dynamic and engaging activity your students will surely enjoy.
Problem solving speaking activity
The aim of this speaking activity is to practice problem-solving in English and brainstorm solutions to five different problems. It is perfect for conversation classes, bigger and smaller groups, levels intermediate and above.
TED Talk: Why videos go viral
Students watch a TED Talk by Kevin Allocca and find out why videos go viral. The lesson features a listening comprehension activity, speaking and vocabulary practice. I usually watch it with my upper-intermediate/advanced groups. You can find the video here.
CAE revision game: Jeopardy
Jeopardy revision game works well with CAE students who need to revise the content of the course. It is a perfect game for the last class of the course. It combines teamwork, competition, and taking risks. It deals with phrasal verbs, idioms, collocations and expressions, prepositions, grammar, and vocabulary.
Third Conditional speaking activity
This speaking activity helps students practise using third conditional to talk about the past and imagine what would have happened if…
It is suitable for any learners who are already familiar with third conditional and need more speaking practice. It is also a great activity for conversation classes and 1-1 lessons.
Word stress maze pronunciation game
The aim of this word stress maze pronunciation game is to practise word stress in three syllable words, with the middle one stressed (o O o). It works best with more advanced groups, mostly because of the vocabulary. I enjoy including some pronunciation practice in my conversation classes and this one has worked really well.
School problems speaking activity
The aim of this speaking activity is to come up with solutions to various school problems affecting teachers and students. Some school problems are analysed from the point of view of students or teachers. This allows our learners to change their perspective and think outside of the box. It is very engaging for teenage students and compliments nicely coursebook chapters about school life.
Excuses speaking activity
The aim of this excuses speaking activity is to come up with an explanation in 10 different situations. It requires quick thinking and creativity from the students and might easily be introduced as a game where whoever invents the best excuse gets a point.
Small Talk Lesson Plan
Small talk lesson plan aims at familiarising the students with the concept of small talk and some appropriate ways to overcome socially awkward situations in English. Students work in groups and try to make small talk on a number of topics. It might be used as a speaking activity or a game, where learners are timed and get points depending on how well they manage to engage their partners in small talk. It is a perfect fit for conversation classes.
