For speaking tests, students need to be able to speak at length, using long sentences with adjectives, linking words and maybe an expression or two … and it’s never too soon to start.
Higher Kindergarten classes can answer in short sentences, instead of single word answers. They can expand by using adjectives.
For example, a teacher will ask, “What is it ?”
The answer must be in the form of a sentence, “It’s a car.” Then we can expand … “It’s a red car,” “It’s a fast, red car.”
At higher levels, students need to feel confident to speak longer, and here’s a tip. This is a mind map with one main idea, then different ideas that students can speak about.
OK, as they say in Cinema, “Show, don’t tell.”
Some expressions:
I’m over the moon (I’m very, very happy)
I was blown away (I was very impressed by someone or something)
It cheers me up (Verb 1) cheered me up (Verb 2) (made me happy after I was sad)
Don’t forget to use the linking words
because // also // so // however // as well as
EXAMPLE:
My favourite sports are football and swimming because they are fun, exciting as well as healthy.
I play football at school with my classmates. My friend John is very good. He is better than me. I also play on weekends. However, I can’t play football alone.
I really enjoy swimming. I can swim alone. I often swim at weekends at a sports centre.
Sports can cheer me up when I am sad. If my teams win, I am over the moon.
What are the problems … and what are the solutions (the answers) ? For example, in Singapore, if someone litters (throws rubbish on the street), they have to pay a fine, pay money to the police.
Now … your turn:
Write about what you want in YOUR city and why. Use amazing adjectives, and tell me why you would like these things.
Also, tell me what you DO NOT want, and why. How would you punish people who broke rules ?
You may also draw, but do the writing first.
Good luck and have fun !
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He can speak Japanese however he can’t speak _____
A bird can ______ however a bird can’t _______
A fish can _______ however a fish can’t ______
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Now that you have had a little time to “Wake up, wake up,” time to move on to a new story.
We have a writing activity for students to practise telling a story, using ‘signpost language’, adjectives, adverbs for the Top Cats, and to see if they can remember their grammar.
Let’s go ! Here are five pictures; what is the story ?
Time for a word bank
Signpost words
First / next / then / after / afterwards / finally
Nouns
business man / library / champagne / private jet
Adjectives
lazy / poor / bored / tired / furious / strict / hard-working / over the moon (very, very happy) / rich
Verbs
sleep / scream / study / graduate / relax
Now, start writing … and good luck !
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You now have a word bank of adverbs. Let’s start to use them … correctly.
We’ll keep it really simple, ça va ?
Remember – never start with a pronoun (he, she, it, they etc). Say what the subject is then what they are doing, then HOW they are doing the verb – use an adverb.
1) The tall man is hiding …
a) easily b) mysteriously c) greedily
2) The Korean girl is looking at her friend …
a) well b) calmly c) angrily
3) The talented musician plays his guitar …
a) very well b) nervously c) politely
4) The man in the white T-shirt eats …
a) greedily b) carefully c) honestly
5) The funny man rides the bus …
a) seriously b) dangerously c) beautifully
Now … your turn
Write sentences about these photos. Top Cats, I expect amazing adjectives, perfect grammar and creative thinking.
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
A version of the Grammarians game but this time aimed at younger students.
The teacher could give points for individual answers or use the Monopoly board template. Place students in teams, and make sure every member takes part, writing and speaking.
Without further ado … the game:
Grammar:
What is the correct grammar ?
EXAMPLE:
I to be sad … NO !
I am sad.
I to be hungry
You am happy
He to be tired
She are angry
ms huong am beautiful
WE is to be quiet
They to be loud
Adjectives: What is the opposite ?
EXAMPLE: hot and cold
fast and ______
young and _______
big and ______
tall and ______
beautiful and ______
Animals:
Tell me two animals that are fast
Tell me two animals that are slow
Tell me two animals that are big
Tell me two animals that are small
Tell me three animals that can fly
Tell me three animals that can swim
Sentences
EXAMPLE:
I like dogs but I don’t like cats.
I like cats but I __________________
I like dolphins but I __________________
I like birds but I __________________
I like cats but I __________________
I like cake but I __________________
I like pizza but I __________________
I like chicken but I __________________
I like tomatoes but I __________________
Dancing
Who can dance like Starlord ?
Happy New Year one and all
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Arrange class into small teams. Each team can roll the die, highest number goes first. Start on the top left square.
Every time a team completes a turn around the board, they collect £200. However, the top right space is the jail. If they land on the bottom left space, the team goes to jail and misses a turn.
A correct answer means the team can choose a Christmas item, or they can buy one for £300
The red stops are vocabulary
Stop 1: Give me three words for food
Stop 2: Give me three words for family
Stop 3: Give me five words for Christmas
The yellow stops are speaking
Stop 1: Tell me a sport you like and why
Stop 2: Tell me a film or TV show you like and why
Stop 3: Tell me why you like learning English. I want TWO reasons.
The green stops are writing
Stop 1: Write a sentence about a present you would like.
Stop 2: Write a sentence about a present you would not like.
Stop 3: Write about a present you would give to your English teacher !
The dark blue stops are listening. Repeat what I say
Stop 1: Apples, oranges, chocolate, mince pies and Christmas log.
So here it is, Merry Christmas Everybody’s having fun Look to the future now It’s only just begun
The Orange spaces are free speaking. Remember to speak for as long as possible.
Stop 1: Tell me things you like and don’t like about your city
Stop 2: Tell me what you like to do in your free time
Stop 3: tell me what job you would like to do when you are older.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, HAPPY HANUKKAH
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A useful template for classroom activities. The teacher can add various instructions on the squares to suit the abilities of the students. The game is, of course, Monopoly.
An online die and some markers are all that is needed.
I shall add some sample questions based on the text books at my centre in the next blog(s).
Then he chase the cat in the garden.The cat is scared.
Finally Mummy tellsMaxto be nice. Max hides and the cat looks and catches Max.
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
First we need a subject, a person or animal, or both:
a pirate
astronaut
girl who plays guitar
boy who plays football or sports
happy mummy
angry manunicorn
puppy
shark
teacher
doctor
Now, what are they doing ? Maybe they are:
walking // playing // working // talking // watching // reading // doing homework // making a video // looking for something
What other verbs do you know ?
Now weneed some adjectives. What adjectives do you know ?
old / young / beautiful / handsome / ugly / happy / angry / sad / amazing / clever / cute / dangerous / exciting / great / healthy / unhealthy / intelligent / interesting / lazy / talented
Now, let’s make a story. I will choose the teacher.
One day a handsome teacher was making a video for YouTube. The teacher has short, straight, black hair, and a black beard. He looks very friendly and happy. He is speaking about sharks. Sharks are very dangerous, big and angry. The video is very exciting and interesting.
Now … your turn. Tell me an interesting story. You may draw and colour as well
bye-bye from The Beatles
Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.
Thay Paul's Notes 