Finding Differences / Similarities
Comparing cultures / realia.
After listening to the information (e.g. about the educational system in Great Britain) students compare it with what they have in their own country finding differences and similarities.
e.g. S1: In Britain children start going to school at the age of five while in Russia compulsory education is from 7 years.
S2: At 16 both English and Russian children get General Certificate of Secondary Education.
Etc.
Comparing transcripts.
After listening students are given the transcript of the text they have just heard. Students read it circling places that are different from what they have heard.
Communicative games
Crazy compliments.
Teacher puts a card on the back of each student. They are not allowed to see their own cards. They mill around freely obeying the instructions on each other’s backs. Teacher puts the time limit and the winner is the one who guesses the first what the card on his/her back tells.
e.g.
(the idea is taken from Classroom Dynamics by J. Hadfield)
Interrupting game.
Teacher (or a volunteer student) starts to talk on a topic. Anyone in the classroom can interrupt him/her using phrases like: “Excuse me for interrupting…”, “May I ask a question…”, etc. The speaker must respond and then get back to the topic. The class members’ aim is to sidetrack the speaker whilst his/her aim is to finish the narrative despite of all the interruptions.
Describing
Describing qualities.
Students are asked to enumerate the qualities which help them in their studies. After that they join into pairs/groups and work out an advertisement of the Perfect Student.
e.g.
-
Wanted !!!
The perfect Student
Busy but affectionate teacher seeks ideal student to join hardworking group. The job is challenging, rewarding, and enjoyable. The successful applicant will be adventurous, sensitive, generous, talkative, uninhibited, punctual, tolerant, warm-hearted, witty, extremely hard-working, amusing, friendly, and willing to buy the drinks at Friday Lunchtimes.
hours of work:9am-1am, Mondays to Sundays
pay:None
( taken from Classroom Dynamics by Hadfield Jill)
Maze description.
S
tudents
look at the scheme and describe the appearance of an imaginary
person. They start at the top and move along the lines in any
direction without skipping over.
e.g.
Review
Film review.
Students are to give critical evaluation of the film they saw.
e
.g.
“Miracle on the 34thstreet” is a family feature film
produced by John Hughes at “Twentieth Century
Fox” studio. It is based on the famous 1947 film
classic. A little girl dis-
covers dreams can come
true if you really believe.
Six-year-old Susan has
doubts about childhood’s
most enduring miracle –
Santa Claus. Her mother
told her the “secret” about
Santa a long time ago, so
Susan doesn’t expect to receive the most
important gift on her Christmas list. But after meeting a special department store Santa who’s convinced he’s the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all – something to believe in.
Starring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott and Mara Wilson as Susan, this uplifting and joyous film will make believers out of the entire family. This is the best family feature the world has ever seen.