This is a simple speaking activity that can be used with A2 level groups to provide practice in using prepositions of place and giving clear instructions. The lesson is usually successful with adults and teenagers.

Activity type: Drawing dictation/pair work

Level: A2-B1

Age: Adults or senior YLs

Preparation

• Write these incomplete phrases on the board:

… the top … the bottom … the left  … the right

… the middle … the corner … the corner

• Ask students to copy the phrases into their notebooks and to complete them by adding the correct prepositions.
• Ask students to compare their answers in pairs and then complete the phrases on the board:

At the top  At the bottom  On the left  On the right 

In the middle  In the corner  At the corner

• Write these incomplete phrases on the board:

… the top right … the bottom corner … the left corner

• Ask students to suggest which prepositions are missing.
• Complete the phrases with the correct prepositions:

On the top right  In the bottom corner  In the left corner

• Draw the following geometrical features on the board:

A circle - a square - a triangle - a rectangle - an oval

a straight line - a dotted line - a broken line - a wavy line - a zigzag line

• Label each drawing. Elicit the vocabulary from the students.

Procedure

• Draw two big squares (frames) on the board.
• Draw a simple design using geometrical shapes and lines in one square.
• Explain that you are going to copy the design in the second square but you are not going to look at the first square. You are going to follow the instructions that the students give you.
• Invite a student to give you the first instruction.
• Go around the class eliciting instructions and building up the second picture.
• When an instruction is not clear, draw the wrong thing so that the student has to reformulate the instruction.
• Pair work: Now get students to draw a geometric design in their notebooks. Give a limited time (3 minutes) for this.
• Put students into pairs, A and B.
• Students take turns in describing their design to their partner so that they can make an exact copy.
• Allow students to refer to the notes they made about prepositions and vocabulary.

Extension
As a follow up activity, get students to write a description of their original design in their notebooks. They can exchange notebooks and correct their partner’s writing.

By Katherine Bilsborough

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