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      Socialising 1: Breaking the ice

      Submitted by Sally Trowbridge on 15 May, 2012 - 12:26

      For many people, the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and trying to socialise with them can be terrifying, especially if you have to use a foreign language. The barriers to ‘breaking the ice’ in a situation like this are just as much psychological as linguistic, which is why this lesson aims to get students thinking about the situation (through a quiz-based discussion and jigsaw reading) as much as speaking and practicing the skill of starting conversations with strangers.

      Topic: Socialising and starting conversations
       
      Level: Intermediate (B2) and above

      Average: 3.9 (32 votes)
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      Change place, change face

      Submitted by TE Editor on 5 September, 2007 - 13:00

      This activity gives students maximum speaking time and helps develop fluency. The slightly ‘unusual’ classroom set-up seems to encourage students to speak, producing a healthy buzz and fostering a positive learning environment.

      Average: 3.8 (36 votes)
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      Consequences role play

      Submitted by TE Editor on 29 June, 2006 - 13:00

      Why not play a game of consequences with a difference, where students must take on the role of another person?

      Average: 3.7 (50 votes)
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      My English telephone

      Submitted by TE Editor on 9 January, 2003 - 13:00

      In this activity, I demonstrate how to use the telephone and my students try it out.

      Average: 3.7 (11 votes)
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      Telephone role plays

      Submitted by TE Editor on 23 June, 2002 - 13:00

      Speaking English on the telephone is difficult for learners for many reasons and even high-level students often feel uncomfortable with the unpredictability of telephone conversations.

      Average: 3.6 (25 votes)
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      Speaking activities

      Submitted by TE Editor on 23 June, 2002 - 13:00

      On these pages you will find ideas for classroom activities which involve speaking

      Average: 3.4 (30 votes)
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      Motivating speaking activities

      Submitted by TE Editor on 23 June, 2002 - 13:00

      The students must be motivated to speak, or need to speak in order to complete the activity. For the last couple of years, I've specialised in teaching children aged 6-10 (mainly at beginner level),

      Average: 3.9 (14 votes)
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      Getting to know you question tags

      Submitted by TE Editor on 23 June, 2002 - 13:00

      This is a communicative exercise to practise using question tags with rising intonation when you are not sure that your ideas are right.

      Average: 3.5 (15 votes)
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