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a) I went to the supermarket and I bought...
Can be adapted for all types of vocabulary sets, grammar points and numbers too. Work around the class or let them work in pairs for a few minutes.
b) Memory Test
Get students to listen to and memorise 7 words from previous class and then they try and write them down afterwards.
c) The Future
Bring in future / present grammar structures and vocabulary to class just by speaking them yourself.
d) Primary / Recency
Start the class on the same material that you finished up on in the last class.
e) Start and end of words to remind.
e.g S___p / Vo_____ / ____ment
a) Grammar Casino
students bet on correct and incorrect sentences.
b) Word Order
Dictate a sentence in the wrong order. Get them to rewrite it
c) Total Gap Fill
Like hangman but with words. Give them a word or two to help them along.
d) Bingo
Students choose 5 words from a list of 10. Teacher describes all words. First one to get 5 shouts Bingo.
e) Boggle / Random Letters on board
make words
f) Alphabet Countdown
Whole Alphabet on board. Give them 2 minutes to get as many words as they can with 2 or 3 vocabulary sets. Cross off the letters when they have been said.
a) Shouting Dictation / Running Dictation
b) Dictation Composition
Use sentences wriiten by students. Collect and dictate as a story.
c) Video Dubbing
d) Photocopy readings in Coursebook - cut up and stick around class and set questions
e) Class Surveys / Role Plays
f) Board games
g) Consequences
pass it along writing game adpated for the current grammar. (Future / Present Perfect) / Past)
Being creative is just going against the norm.
a) Warming Vocal Exercises In pairs
(alternate and repeat)
1,2,3
1, clap, 3
Irregular Verbs (Do, did, done) , tongue twisters, make sentences etc etc.
b) I'm bored!
When students look bored / tired especially in those longer classes give them a 1 minute physical activity to stand up and have a laugh. Play a practical game which is a bit silly and not using language. Let them awaken their minds.
c) Put a spin on it
Turn the book upside down and continue reading.
Try writing English upside down.
Try speaking backwards.
Everybody sit facing the other way.
a) YES and NO
Students cannot say certain words throughout the class. E.g. they cant say Yes or No but have to come up with alternatives. Class can compete against each other and lose a point every time they say the words. Maybe use other words. You understand?
b) Listen Up
Get them to listen for certain words during the class (perhaps the current vocabulary). When they hear them tell them they have to do something like touch their head or look at the teacher. The last person to do so loses a point. Maybe the winner gets an incentive. You could also put them in teams.
c) 'FREEZE'
When I say this stop moving and talking .
a) Background Music
Play music they enjoy. Play a bit you like. But no one likes a DJ who doesnt listen to his/her audience.
b) Slap the word
Put the words on the board. 2 students, first one to Slap the correct words as you hear them.
c) Order the words
Give them 7 words from the first parts of a song. Tell them to number them in the correct order.
d) Write what you hear
Take one verse of a chorus or a song. Students try and write the lyrics.
a) Grammar Sketches
Use 1 side of paper for the grammar structure (e.g. I got up at 6 o clock) and the other side to draw that grammar structure (e.g. drawing of person getting up at 6 o clock). Drawings can be used as flashcards to help students with the grammar.
b) Picture Dictations
Teacher dictates to all students as they draw or student dictates to another student who draws.
c) Pictionary
In pairs on paper or in teams using the whiteboard.. Recycle that Lexis.
Image Association
Using a list of recent vocabulary get students to associate words with random images.
Compare and Contrast
Find two same themed but different pictures and speak about the similarities and differences.
What do they like? Talk about it. Use it. Relate it to the Students lives
a) Ask them what music groups they want to listen to and do exercises on.
b) Create a pretend map of the places they know for directions.
c) Let them talk about their phones, music and things they like doing.
__________________________
a few of my favourites...
a) Conversation practice with question prompts
b) Who am I? or Where am I? Answer only yes or no
c) 20 Questions
to guess what animal or food etc. i'm thinking about
d) Class Surveys / Interviews
e) Spot The Differences (or similarities)
f) Speak exercises sometimes rather than writing
g) role play (meetings, appointments, shopping)
h) What's the question? Write different answers on board.
a) Telefono
Two teams chinese whisper down a line. Last person of each team writes it on the board.
b) Vocab Slap
Vocab written on individual bits of paper on table. Teacher describes the words. First student to slap the correct word.
c) Either OR
Piece of paper at either end of the table. e.g Irregular or regular. Teacher says a verb. First student to run and slap the correct one.
d) 4 Corners of the room
Europe, Asia, Africa, America. Teacher says countries or things related to that continent. Kids have to go to the correct corner or are eliminated.
e) Hot Seat
One with back to the board. One explains whats on the board
f) Last PERSON
Last Person to do what I say is out or loses a point. If I say 'First person' nobody must do anything.
Every passing class is a chance to turn it all around.
To teach is to touch a life forever.
Apply it to everything.
Praise them at every opportunity. And if no one else does it praise yourself once in a while.
steve_idiomasatkinson.com
_tefldust
www.steveoliver.net
4-6 years teaching... Reach for the TEFL Stars
I have found my feet now, but there will still be surprises I'm sure.
Self or workshops, new ideas will be needed until the death of TEFL time.
The mind more balanced I respond correctly, most the time
I know what works well with my classes, and still the list is growing.
Fuelled by all of the above.
