Describing People from Memory Information Gap

Here’s a way to practice vocabulary and sentences related to describing facial and body features, but it can be modified to include clothing and colour vocabulary, too.

First, practice the vocabulary and language: Stand at the front with a whiteboard and marker, and secretly draw a figure on the whiteboard to prompt the target language (e.g. “He is tall,” “She is wearing a red blouse,” “He has blue glasses,” “He has curly hair,” etc.). On the count of three, turn the board around and get all students at the same time to say whatever they can about the picture. After giving them this chance, pick out certain features and say them, getting the students to repeat after you. Do this a couple of times to warm them up.

Next, put students in pairs, designate them as A and B, and get them to open their notebooks to a blank page (or distribute scrap paper). Demonstrate how to do the activity: teacher draws a figure on the board. B’s close their eyes. Teacher shows A’s the picture for about 15 seconds. Afterwards, A’s close their eyes, B’s open their eyes. A’s must describe the picture to their partners from memory in English, and B’s draw what their partner says. Afterwards, teacher reveals the original picture, and students compare their drawing to the teacher’s. Switch roles and continue the activity!

This post was submitted by Daniel K.