English to L1 to English (using business quotes)
Here is a variation on an old classic for higher level students. Take a short quote by a famous business person, translate it into L1, then have another student take the L1 version and translate it back into English. Compare the original English quote with the second version.
Noticing collocations using text on an IWB
You are standing at the interactive white board right next to some text. There are subtle ways in which this is different to everyone referring heads-down to their own print version in front of them on the desk. Here is one.
Self-drilling: key phrases, mini dialogues
Ask students to repeat key phrases to themselves in a low voice several times. This simple activity increases the chance that they will be learned and used, and allows you to monitor pronunciation closely on a one-to-one basis.
Last Man Standing
This is a fun, fast-paced, revision activity for lexis: either topic vocabulary or functional phrases. Students have to scan their memory to try to find words that fit a category chosen by the teacher.
Practising key phrases #3: phrase cards for heads-down revision
Use prepared cards to revise functional expressions. These activities are good for Meetings, Telephoning etc.
Practising key phrases #2: phrase cards in a RP
Here are a number of ideas that use phrases written on cards to help students practice fixed expressions. They are particularly suitable for Meetings role-plays, but could be used for other RPs as well.
Practising key phrases #1
The students have already been presented with some key phrases for the first time. How can these be practiced in a subsequent lesson?
Presenting key phrases
Classroom material often includes key phrases for a particular communication skill, grouped in a box according to function. How can these be presented in an active way?
Memory game: progressive deletion on board
A simple, fun game to revise functional phrases.