Time to Talk!

To get students to talk during the first few days is far from easy. At a later stage, the really difficult thing is to
keep them quiet! :) Anyway, let’s begin at the beginning...This teaching activity revolves around four major
topics: a) The Home, b) School Life, c) Jobs and d) Spare Time. By answering a few simple questions and
carrying out some easy tasks, students will get to know one another in a comfortable and co-operative
environment. There is something for everyone and -hopefully- all of the students will have something to say.
Just ask your students to say a number between 1 and 40 and read the corresponding question. Do not ask
for perfection right now. Building up everybody’s self-confidence is much more important -and will prove
more useful in the long run- so make sure that everybody joins in the talking.

A) The Home

1) Design the ideal home. Tell your classmates about it.
2) Describe your bedroom. Your classmates should be able to produce a detailed plan of the place,
according to your description.
3) You have won 25,000 dollars in the lottery. How would you redecorate your living room?
4) In groups, design the house of the future. Show the results on a poster.
5) Draw a plan of your neighbourhood, show where your house is and explain how you go to the following
places: a) the baker’s, b) the supermarket and c) your favourite disco or pub.
6) Compose an advertisement to sell your house.
7) Give 3 reasons why you like/dislike your house.
8) Write a story about a house. Use between 120 and 150 words.
9) Would you rather rent a house or buy one? Discuss.
10) Write a list of the housework to be done in a house. Say who does each thing at your place.

B) School Life

11) In pairs, list the qualities of the perfect teacher.
12) Say what your favourite school subjects are. Give reasons.
13) Are you a "good" student? Explain why/why not.
14) Design a suitable timetable for your class. Show it to your classmates.
15) Homework is necessary. Discuss.
16) Plan the activities for a special "Cultural Events Week" at your school.
17) Suggest an itinerary for an end-of-term trip.
18) Devise a short English exam. Try it and see what happens!
19) Tell your classmates a funny story/situation that has taken place in your school.
20) Imagine what a small child would write about his/her first day at school.

C) Jobs

21) Write a short paragraph about your present/past/future job. Read it out and aloud.
22) Tell your students 5 things you would do if you were not forced to work.
23) Write a list of 10 machines/devices that make peoples´s work easier these days.
24) Tell your classmates about one job you would NOT like to do. Explain your choice.
25) Would you work if you were a millionaire?
26) Think of 3 people you admire because of their jobs.
27) Would you like to be a policeman/policewoman? Why? Why not?
28) Many people have not got a job. Suggest some solutions to the problem.
29) Think of one job. Let your classmates ask you questions about it (i.e. "Do you work indoors?", "Is your
job interesting?" etc.) You may only answer "Yes" or "No". Can they guess the job you are thinking about?
30) How many different jobs can you name in 1 minute?

D) Spare Time

31) Summarize the plot of a book you have enjoyed. Can your classmates guess its title?
32) Tell the class about the worst TV program you have ever seen.
33) Are you sports-mad? Briefly describe the rules of your favourite sport.
34) If you could travel round the world, what countries would you visit?
35) Write a short paragraph about your favourite singer/band. Use about 70 words.
36) Tell your classmates about the (computer) game you like best.
37) Do you like reading comics? Which are your favourites? Why?
38) Think about your favourite radio program. Tell your neighbour, adding reasons why you think s/he
should listen to it.
39) In groups, make a poster about your favourite singer/band.
40) Write the titles of the 4 best films you have ever seen.

Gremlins

The main aim of the activity is to discuss school life in a new and amusing way. You
could use it to break the ice at the first meeting with your students, whether at the beginning
of the course or term…or anytime when you want to focus on class management
issues. Pointing out inappropriate behaviour will hopefully persuade the students to change
their attitude. Tell the students that the teachers in the English Department have written
a letter to welcome their ‘clients’ at the beginning of the course or term. Give them a
copy of ‘your’ letter. (Say something like: The teachers in the English Department have
written a letter to you. Please read it through…) When students have read it, check general
comprehension. Alternatively, this could be done as a listening comprehension exercise.
The letter includes 10 odd sentences (which contain some nasty pieces of advice, no
doubt the work of some dreadful gremlins who want to spoil your course.) Can the
students spot the wrong messages? Have they noticed the irony in them? Discuss the
contents of the letter. If you play your cards right, you will find out what your new
students think of school and homework. The activity will also give you an insight into
how they regard our role of teachers. Their past experiences, their opinions and feelings
should help you plan the most successful course ever. It might be a good idea to write
and read out and aloud the corrected version of the letter as well as to establish/negotiate
your own rules.
The Letter
Dear students,
To begin with, let me welcome you most sincerely and wish you a don’t come to class
happy school year. Please, do not think your teachers are monsters in a haunted house,
ready to be lazy torture you to the limit. We are human beings and we want you to be
happy and make a lot of noise prosperous, now and ever. Both teachers and students
must eat and smoke during the lessons co-operate and try to understand one another.
We assume you are here to learn. We’ll certainly help you keep forgetting your books
and stationery. We are experienced professionals. Trust us! We work hard for your
benefit, so please do not make a nuisance of yourselves. We do not like to be disturbed.
Do not sleep in your laurels, either. It does not work. God helps those who never do
your homework help themselves, they say. You do not have to be geniuses to pass the
course. But you must write graffitis everywhere pay attention to what your teachers say
and do as you are told. It usually helps if you kick the paperbasket are constant and
well organized. Well begun is half done. If there is something you do not understand
forget it, tell us at once. If you are not happy in class be late, let us know as well.
Welcome to school once again. Good luck!
Answers. The following are the nasty extra bits the gremlins added:
don’t come to class; be lazy; make a lot of noise; eat and smoke during the lessons;
keep forgetting your books and stationery; never do your homework; write graffitis
everywhere; kick the paperbasket; forget it; be late.

E-mail comments about these plans to: joandiez@hotmail.com

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Time to Talk!

Gremlins