Category: Elementary

1. Get all the students to sit in chairs in a circle except one person who does not have a chair. This person stands in the middle of the circle.

2. The person in the middle calls out one instruction… Read More ....

Bring an item that is so unusual that the learners are not likely to recognize what it is. Spend some time eliciting basic descriptions of the item and guesses about what it is and how it’s used. If possible, pass … Read More ....

Learners must be seated in organized rows at least 4×4.

Have the front row of learners stand. Ask simple questions like “What day/time is it?”

 Learners raise their hands (or blurt out answers) and the first person to … Read More ....

This is great for practicing past participles and the present progressive tense.

Arrange group into a large circle with one person in the middle. The leader will prompt with the phrase “Have you ever ?”

The person in the middle … Read More ....

This is a very basic everyday lesson starter and icebreaker.

A learner brings an item from home and talks about it in front of the group.

Give learners enough advance notice to prepare and remind them again before their turn. … Read More ....

This video presentation I made, has many recipes and ideas for teachers.

All the activities are basic EFL activities that help teachers personalize lesson content and allow students to talk and learn English through their own lives and experiences. This … Read More ....

This game is fantastic!  Select some vocabulary from a song your student’s enjoy (select words that repeat a lot). Then, ask them to choose and write in large letters, one of those words/phrases.

Divide the students into groups.  The students … Read More ....

Soccer is an international sport and students really understand the yellow card / red card system. Make yourself a card and use it as a great classroom management tool!

Yellow is a warning. Make sure to make eye contact when … Read More ....

Here’s a bunch of listening recipes!  Just read to your heart’s delight. Lots of small ideas that foster student listening skills and really make a difference in creating a fun and engaging classroom.

Intensive Listening Activities

Tossing bean bags is a great way to get students speaking and turn taking ( a valuable and essential language skill). You can use them to tell stories, ask and answer questions, respond with “first word you think of…” etc…..… Read More ....