Activities in an ESOL classroom
A list of projects to stimulate dialog and speaking…
 
 
Bring in a box of tools and ask students to create verbs and names for each tool
 
Bring in little objects from around the house (tacks, staple, string, clips, etc.) and ask student to label them.
 
Learn about another country and create a tourist guide for the visitor (Tony)
 
Create a powerpoint and create s list of “don’t”s:  Don’t speak to the screen, don’t read what’s on the screen  (tony)
 
Take a teacher to lunch (great idea)  Tony
 
Interview a celebrity (tony)
 
Imagine that a stranger is sitting next to you on a long plane trip.  He’s reading a magazine and he has a book.  Create questions and begin a conversation with him.  Write a dialog…
 
Make presentations and video the talking. (Tony)  It’s alive…  it’s exciting.   Students try to interrupt politely with questions.
 
Ask around the room “What is your new word today?”  each student must find a new word.. even just opening the book and hunting… for a new word.
 
Find lyrics to a song and explain the song.  What are new words for you?  Who is the singer?  Who is the singer singing to?  what happens in the song?  Does anything change by the end of the song?  What is the purpose of the song?
 
Write a summary of a movie.  Describe the big scenes.  What was in the movie?  You can do this in your langu
age.. what do you need to know to explain the same summary in English?
 
Persuade me to join a group on Facebook or to support a charity.  I have $20.. where should I invest it?  Where should I give it?
 
Give me a tour in your city.  Why should I visit your city?  (Tony)
 
Describe a famous story (fairy tale?  legend?) in your country.  Explain it in English…  What happened with Noah’s big boat?
 
There’s a visitor coming tomorrow.  Prepare 20 questions with your partner…  practice asking the questions before the visitor arrives.
 
Create questions for the new students.  What will new students ask you?  What will you ask the new students?
 
Ask each student to make a presentation, talking about several photos found on the Internet, and the REST OF THE CLASS MUST ASK QUESTIONS>  (Don’t just sit back and watch the show.  This is English class and everyone is ready with at least two questions).
 
What is the “BIG NEWS” in your country?  What did the US news fail to report?
 
What are the stereotypes and misinformation about your country?  What do many US people say about your country that is false?  (Example:  The capital of Brazil is Buenos Aires”)
 
What is different in the USA compared to your country?  What is similar or the same?
 
What is crazy about the USA?  What makes you shake your head and ask, “Why do they do that in the USA?“
 
What do you plan to do this weekend?  Plan a week of travel in the USA…
 
 
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Most of these activities require very little photocopying.