I use this activity as a warm up with students. They love it and it really gets them producing and reviewing their own stored language and also becoming quicker at responding in English (and not translating).
1. Ask students at random, what’s the first word you think of when I say…? As students answer, just respond with a response to that response and keep the chain going.
2. Students in 3s, keep doing the same and “fighting”. If one student hesitates longer than 3-5 seconds, the other person gets a point. Play to 5 points.
Here’s an example.
Doctor – blood – dracula – Romania – Europe – London – my brother – (student hesitates – partner cries ) “POINT”!
Get the First Word War lesson activity sheet here.
What's the first word you think of when I say.......?,