The aim of this activity is for the students to practice their listening and speaking skills. It is suitable for any level, groups of 2 and more students. It is best used to create interest in the lesson topic or to close the class.
Lesson Plans
Exploring model texts to improve writing
In this post, I am writing about 5 ways to explore model written texts featured in coursebooks (Writing Reference section) to help students work on their writing. I have been using these ideas during my individual classes with adult students preparing for Cambridge First and Advanced exams.
Pronunciation Warm-up: Useless and Useful Activities. Guest post by Elena Mutonono
In her guest post, Elena walks us through introducing effective pronunciation warm-ups to our English lessons. Why are tongue twisters not necessarily the best way to go? What is linking? How to teach it? What do music videos have to do with it? Keep reading to find out.Problem solving speaking activity: part 2
I have compiled a list of 15 problems to which students need to brainstorm solutions. This list is a result of classes I have taught to teenage and adult students. It is a perfect fit for conversation classes. The topics include family life, relationships, neighbours, and shopping.
Grammar revision with a music video: 4 ideas
The aim if this class is for your students to revise a number of grammar points: using narrative tenses, modal verbs, third conditional, and wish/if only to express wishes about the present and the past. The lesson is based on the music video to the song Shot at the Night by The Killers. It is suitable for levels upper-intermediate, advanced and students preparing for Cambridge exams.
Rhyming lyrics pronunciation activity
The aim of this activity is to use the rhyming structure of the song Everything at Once by Lenka in order to fill in the gaps in the song’s lyrics. It is as much a pronunciation activity as it is a form of vocabulary revision since the lyrics feature a series of similes that additionally enable students to figure out the missing words. Suitable for both adult and teenage learners, levels pre-intermediate and higher.
CAE speaking hexagons game
The objective of this game is to help students practice answering typical exam Part 4 questions, being careful about not monopolising the speaking time, and including the partner in the discussion.
Using past modals for speculation and deduction
In this post, I am describing activities where students practice using past modal verbs for speculation and deduction. I have been using them with upper-intermediate, advanced, FCE, and CAE students who often struggle with the concept of using modal verbs for something other than expressing ability or obligation.
5 word formation games for FCE and CAE students
In this post, I am presenting 5 games that help students recognize and form different parts of speech. They are especially useful for students preparing for Cambridge exams (First and Advanced). I have been using these activities to revise and practice vocabulary and to offer some alternatives to typical Use of English exercises.
Grammar games: advice, obligation, prohibition
These 3 games provide some extra speaking practice when discussing functions of such verbs as: should, shouldn’t, must, have to, and not have to to express advice, obligation, and prohibition. It is a good idea for pre-intermediate and intermediate students, adults and teenagers alike.
