October 2006 Archives

Here's a handout (see below) which I use in class to get students to talk about themselves. This is done as a class activity.

I start off with getting the students to draw a sketch of themselves in the box. I demonstrate by sketching myself on the blackboard. While they are drawing themselves, I review body vocabulary such as head, hair, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and face. Then, I take up the statement sentences one by one. I start off by saying "My name is Stefan." Then, I ask individual students, "What's your name?". After that, I get them to fill in the blank with their name. Then, I go around the class asking several students "What's your name?"

Next, I say "I'm from Canada." Then, I ask the class "Where are you from?" Some students will known the answer and shout it out. I'll say excellent. Then, I will write the statement on the board, fill in the space with the country name, and get the students do the same. Then, I go around the class asking individual students, "Where are you from?"

Then, I'll say, "I'm (age)." Then, I will ask the question, "How old are you?" A few students will answer. I get them to circle their age from the digit numbers listed below the space and then have them write it in the space. I demonstrate using the blackboard. Then, I do some drilling e.g. "I'm 12 years old. I'm 13 years old."

I tell the class, "My favourite colour is blue." Then, I ask the class, "What's your favourite colour?" I will then ask them to think of their favourite colour and write it in the space. I'll write the sentence on the board. Then, I do some drilling. I have the students repeat after me, "My favourite colour is green." etc. Then, I go around the class asking individual students "What's your favourite colour?"

I tell the class, "My favourite sport is soccer." Then, I ask the class, "What's your favourite sport?" I tell the students to think of their favourite sport and write it in the space. I'll write the sentence on the blackboard. Then, I do some drilling, "My favourite sport is baseball." etc. Then, I go around the classroom asking individual students, "What's your favourite sport?"

Finally, I offer a stamp to any student willing to stand up and read their sentences aloud. Several do come forward and after their presentation, I get the class to give them a round of applause.

This is a fun activity and a great way to review the state verb "be". Feel free to change the form to suit your class level.

Here's an activity you can do in class to review and practice making statement sentences using the third person singular of present tense verbs and making questions using the auxiliary verb do or using interrogative pronouns such as what. It's a guessing game called "Who is he?" / "Who is she?"

Lesson Plan

Target Language: What (food/colour/sport) do you like? I like (noun)

Vocabulary: pizza, sushi, ice cream, donuts, chocolate (1nd lesson)
red, blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, brown (2rd lesson)
baseball, tennis, soccer, basketball (3rd lesson)

Target group: Young Learners - Intermediate level

Lesson Plan

Target Language: What are you doing? I'm (action)

Vocabulary: walking, running, shopping, playingm watching TV (flashcards)

Target: Young Learners

Here's a way of contextualizing material to teach vocabulary, grammar, and sentence patterns. Draw a picture(s) on the board or use a picture(s) from a textbook. Set the scene. Write the topic on the board for example, "At the Airport". Have the students look at the board. Ask the students to think about the topic. We do this to create expectations and arouse their interest in the topic at hand. You may wish to do this as a class activity or in small groups depending on the level of the students.

Changing Wh-questions with do, does, or did into indirect questions - a handout

Lesson Plan

Target Language: Where's the (roach)? It's (preposition) the wall.

Vocabulary: on, in, under (1st lesson)
(behind, in front of, next to) This would depend on their level and
could be taught in subsequent lessons.

Target: Young Learners

Goal: To identify where things are inside a classroom.