I’ve always considered myself a flexible person, able to adapt and roll with the punches. Still, when my school asked me to teach weekly 90-minute classes to a 12-year-old (whose level of English was unspecified before our first lesson) I got a bit nervous. Actually, I got very nervous. Preparing and teaching my first class made me re-examine everything I thought I knew about dealing with so-called young learners. Continue Reading …
grammar
Our lives without … speaking activity
This speaking activity encourages students to imagine their lives without something considered quite vital nowadays and describe the new reality. It is a fun activity for levels intermediate and higher, teenagers and adults alike. It offers the opportunity for students to collaborate, exchange ideas, and practice such grammar points as modal verbs or second conditional.
Used to, be used to, get used to speaking activity
This activity helps practice through speaking three often confused grammar structures: used to, be used to, get used to. The aim is to show the difference in meaning and structure by allowing students use used to, be used to, get used to to describe habits or changes in their personal lives. It is suitable for upper-intermediate or FCE students.
Big life decisions speaking activity
Students make four big life decisions by coming up with lists of pros and cons for different situations. By doing so they can also revise the use of conditionals (first and second), modal verbs used to speculate (may, might, could) and linking devices (however, although, on the other hand). Suitable for adult and teenage students, levels intermediate and up.
Teaching phrasal verbs: phrasal verbs about money
A lot of my students claim phrasal verbs are the most difficult part of any given English course. They are not sure how to learn them, and even less sure how to use them. As a result, they try to memorise long lists but never risk using any in speaking or writing. I wrote more on how to approach learning phrasal verbs in my guest post for Keep Smiling English here. Continue Reading …
Using WILL for offers, promises, decisions, threats
In this activity students need to come up with various sentences using WILL to express promises, offers, decisions and threats in different contexts. Suitable for students who have already worked with the concept of using WILL, pre-intermediate and intermediate levels.
Reporting Verbs Bingo
This bingo game helps to revise sixteen different reporting verbs and use them to practice reported speech. There is also a bonus gap fill activity included. Suitable for intermediate, upper-intermediate, and FCE students. It works best with bigger groups.
FCE Use of English Part 2 Checklist
The checklist helps students realise what to pay special attention to when dealing with FCE Use of English Part 2 and allows them to revise their knowledge of grammar. It contains 8 types of words that usually fit the gaps in these exercises: prepositions, pronouns, relative pronouns, articles, quantifiers, auxiliary verbs, modal verbs, and conjunctions.
Connect 4 Game: Phrasal Verbs
Connect 4 is a game aimed at revising phrasal verbs. It combines language practice with pair work and competition. It is easily adaptable to revise and practice different language points, suitable for all levels and ages. This phrasal verbs set has already been practiced using this game here.
Phrasal Verbs Dominoes
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.
