speaking - EFL Ideas

No-prep ESL Speaking Activity: Fashion Role-Play

Finding resources that strike a balance between engagement and practicality can be a challenge. Enter our No-Prep ESL Speaking Activity a resource designed to offer both stimulation and structure in the language learning process.

Navigating the Benefits of Role Play Activities:

While role-play activities offer undeniable benefits, it’s essential to approach them with a balanced perspective:

1. Realistic Engagement

Role plays simulate real-life scenarios, providing students with an opportunity to apply language skills in practical contexts. However, it’s important to recognize that these scenarios are simplified representations and may not fully capture the complexities of everyday communication.

2. Fluency Development

Through spontaneous conversation and improvisation, students can enhance their fluency and communication skills. Yet, it’s crucial to acknowledge that fluency takes time to develop and may vary among learners.

3. Vocabulary Expansion

Role plays can facilitate vocabulary acquisition, particularly when centered around specific themes like fashion. However, it’s essential to supplement these activities with other vocabulary-building exercises to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

4. Cultural Insight

Exploring cultural nuances through role plays can foster cross-cultural understanding. Still, it’s important to approach cultural discussions with sensitivity and awareness of diverse perspectives.

5. Critical Thinking Skills

Role plays encourage students to think critically and problem-solve within the context of the scenarios presented. Yet, it’s vital to recognize that critical thinking skills develop over time and may require additional support and guidance.

Get ready to embark on a journey through the ever-evolving world of fashion, where every role-play scenario is a window into new possibilities. From spirited debates on sustainable fashion to heart-to-heart conversations about personal style, the adventures await:

Discover the clash of opinions between a fashion student who celebrates individuality and a trend-setting influencer who swears by the latest fads.
Navigate the creative tensions between a magazine editor advocating for diversity and a photographer striving for aesthetic consistency.
Dive into discussions on environmental responsibility, school dress codes, budget-friendly fashion, and navigating familial disagreements over wardrobe choices.

At the heart of every role-play lies a simple yet profound truth: language is a living, breathing entity, meant to be experienced, embraced, and shared. With No-Prep ESL Speaking Activity, you’re not just teaching English – you’re igniting a passion for learning, fostering connections, and empowering your students to shine.

So why wait? Step into the world of fashion with us and watch as your ESL classroom transforms into a vibrant tapestry of language, laughter, and learning. The adventure begins now!

Student A1: You are a fashion student who values personal style and individuality in fashion. You are talking to a fashion influencer who often promotes the latest trends and encourages their followers to follow them blindly.

Student B1: You are a fashion influencer who often promotes the latest trends and encourages your followers to follow them blindly. You believe that following trends is a crucial part of being fashionable.

__________________________________________________________________

Student A2: You are a fashion magazine editor who values diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry. You are talking to a fashion photographer who often uses the same types of models in their shoots.

Student B2: You are a fashion photographer who values aesthetics and consistency in your work. You often use the same types of models in your shoots because you feel that they fit the aesthetic of your portfolio.

___________________________________________________________________

Student A3: You’re concerned about the negative environmental and social impacts of fast fashion and believe in promoting sustainable clothing choices. Discuss your concerns with your friend.

Student B3: You love shopping for the latest trends from fast fashion brands and don’t think much about the consequences. Discuss your fashion choices with your friend and try to understand each other’s viewpoints.

_________________________________________________________________

Student A4: You’re environmentally conscious and shop exclusively at thrift stores to support sustainable fashion. Discuss your reasons for this with your friend.

Student B4: You enjoy buying new, trendy clothing items from fast fashion brands and don’t think about their environmental impact. Discuss your preferences with your friends and try to understand each other’s viewpoints.

Student A5: You believe that dress codes at school are too restrictive and should allow more self-expression through clothing. Discuss your opinions on dress codes with your friend.

Student B5: You think that dress codes are essential to maintain a focused and orderly learning environment. Discuss your reasons with your friend and try to understand each other’s perspectives.

_________________________________________________________________

Student A6: You have a tight budget and need a new wardrobe but can’t afford a shopping spree. You want to organize a clothing swap event with your friends to save money and promote sustainability. Discuss your idea with your friend and ask for their support and participation.

Student B6: You usually enjoy shopping sprees and are skeptical about the clothing swap idea. Discuss your reservations and try to find a compromise or solution that benefits both of you.

___________________________________________________________________

Student A7: You have a limited budget for clothing but long for designer items that are beyond your means. You’re torn between staying within your budget and splurging on a high-end item. Discuss your fashion dilemma with your friend and seek their input on making the right decision.

Student B7: You have a passion for designer fashion but understand the constraints of a tight budget. Discuss your friend’s fashion dilemma and help them explore options to satisfy their desire for designer items without breaking the bank.

___________________________________________________________________

Student A8: You’ve been arguing with your parents over your clothing choices, as they think your style is too revealing or inappropriate. You want to discuss the issue with your friend and seek advice on how to communicate with your parents about your fashion choices.

Student B8: You’re a friend who has faced similar disagreements with your parents about fashion. Discuss your experiences and provide suggestions on how to have a productive conversation with parents about clothing choices.

Download

Prefixes Worksheet for ESL: Conversation Practice

As ESL teachers, we’re always on the lookout for resources that can truly make a difference in our students’ language learning journeys. That’s why I’m excited to share a resource that has not only enriched my classroom but has also contributed significantly to my students’ language skills: the “Prefixes Worksheet for ESL: Conversation Practice.”

Negative prefixes, such as “un-“, “dis-“, “in-“, and “im-“, often pose a challenge for ESL learners. These tiny word elements can drastically change the meaning of a word, and mastering them is crucial for achieving fluency in English. This prefixes worksheet, however, takes a different approach to teaching negative prefixes, one that’s focused on engagement and genuine communication.

Engaging Gap-Fill Exercises: The heart of this prefixes worksheet lies in its carefully crafted gap-fill exercises. Instead of dull, disconnected vocabulary drills, students are presented with sentences that have missing words. Their task? To fill in the gaps with the appropriate negative prefix. This approach transforms what might be a monotonous exercise into an interactive puzzle, piquing students’ curiosity and challenging them to think critically.
Conversation Catalysts: What truly sets this worksheet apart is its dual functionality. Each sentence, in addition to being a gap-fill exercise, serves as a conversation starter. After completing the sentence, students are encouraged to discuss the meaning of the word or phrase in the context of the sentence. This not only reinforces their grasp of negative prefixes but also equips them with the ability to use these prefixes naturally in real-life conversations.
Improved Comprehension: By encountering negative prefixes within sentences and conversations, students gain a deeper understanding of how these prefixes work and influence word meanings. This comprehension goes a long way in helping them become effective communicators in English.
Enhanced Retention: The combination of active exercises and discussion-based learning not only helps students remember the correct usage of negative prefixes but also ensures that this knowledge sticks. They’re not just memorizing rules; they’re internalizing language patterns.
Teacher’s Ally: As teachers, we value resources that align with our teaching philosophy and seamlessly integrate into our lesson plans. This worksheet is not just beneficial for students; it’s a teacher-friendly tool that enhances the overall classroom experience.

So, fellow ESL educators, I invite you to share in the success I’ve witnessed in my classroom. Consider using and sharing our “Prefixes Worksheet for ESL: Conversation Practice” within your teaching community. It’s a practical and effective resource that can empower both you and your fellow educators, fostering confident, fluent English speakers.

Exercise 1

In each sentence below, there is a missing negative prefix. Fill in the gaps with the correct prefix (un-, dis-, in-, ir-, im-, il-, etc.) to complete the sentences.

Can you recall a time when you felt __________(estimated) or __________(valued) in a professional or personal setting? How did you prove your worth?
Have you ever encountered a situation where someone was __________(fairly) discriminated against? What actions can society take to combat discrimination?
Describe a moment when you found yourself in a __________(comfortable) or even __________(bearable) situation. How did you handle it?
Share a story of someone who was initially __________(understood) but later gained recognition or respect. What can we learn from their experience?
Can you think of an occasion when you felt __________(connected) or __________(engaged) from a group or community? How did you address this feeling?
Discuss a time when you observed an action that you considered __________(ethical) or __________(moral). How did it affect your perception of the person involved?
Have you ever experienced an __________(usual) or __________(expected) phenomenon that left you feeling uneasy or __________(oriented)?
Share a situation where you or someone you know had to deal with an __________(cooperative) colleague or team member. How was it resolved?
Can you describe a moment when you felt __________(valued) as a consumer or customer? How did you respond to the situation?
Discuss a time when you observed an __________(ethical) or __________(moral) action that you believe should be discontinued. What alternatives would you propose?
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt powerless or __________(able) to influence the outcome? How did you cope with it?
Share an example of a __________(just) law or policy you believe should be discontinued. What alternatives would you propose?
Describe a situation where someone exhibited __________(healthy) or detrimental behavior patterns. How can they be encouraged to change?
Can you think of a time when you were __________(prepared) for a significant life event or challenge? How did you adapt and learn from it?
Discuss an instance when you witnessed an __________(effective) or __________(productive) meeting or discussion. What improvements would you suggest?
Share a story of a project or endeavor that initially seemed __________(feasible) but was eventually successful. What contributed to its success?
Have you ever had to deal with an __________(responsive) or neglectful service provider? How did you seek resolution or compensation?
Can you recall a situation where you felt __________(appreciated) in a personal relationship? How did you address the issue with the other person?
Describe a time when you encountered an __________(dated) or __________(moded) practice or technology. What innovations could replace it?
Discuss the concept of an __________(certain) future and the role it plays in making long-term plans and decisions.

Exercise 2

In each sentence below, there is a missing prefix. Fill in the gaps before the words with removed prefixes to complete the sentences.

Have you ever encountered an ____ (efficient) system or process at work or in daily life? How could it be improved?
Can you think of a situation where someone acted ____ (responsible)? What were the consequences?
What are some examples of ____ (tolerant) behavior you’ve observed, and how can we promote more tolerance in society?
Describe an experience when you found a book or movie to be ____ (interesting) despite high expectations. What went wrong?
Share a story of a ____ (conventional) or ____ (orthodox) solution to a problem. Did it prove effective in the end?
Share an instance when someone’s comments or actions were ____ (sensitive). How did it affect you or others involved?
Do you believe there are any ____ (possible) tasks or challenges, or is it always a matter of perspective and determination?
Discuss a time when you had to deal with an ____ (convenient) situation while traveling. How did you handle it?
Can you recall a moment when you witnessed a dispute escalate into an ____ (controllable) argument? What could have been done differently?
Describe a situation where someone displayed ____ (reasonable) behavior. How did you respond, and what did you learn from it?
Have you ever faced an ____ (expected) setback that temporarily disrupted your plans? How did you adapt and move forward?
What do you think about the idea of a ____ (known) or ____ (charted) future? Does it excite or worry you, and why?
Have you ever encountered someone who was completely ____ (interested) in your favorite hobby, and how did you handle it?
Have you encountered any ____ (desirable) consequences of technology in your life? How do you mitigate them?
Can you think of a situation where someone was ____ (fairly) underestimated, only to prove themselves later on?
Discuss a time when you had to confront your own ____ (securities) or ____ (uncertainties). How did you overcome them?
Can you think of a time when you found yourself in an ____ (hospitable) or unwelcoming environment, and how did you cope with it?
Have you ever encountered a ____ (functioning) device or piece of equipment, and how did you address the issue?
Share a personal experience where you felt ____ (understood) or ____ (represented). How did you clarify the situation?
Do you believe there’s such a thing as an ____ (reversible) mistake, or can most errors be rectified in some way?

Prefixes worksheet:

Download: Negative Prefixes Conversation Questions

End of Year Activities and Games : No-prep, Easy to Print

It’s June, the most wonderful month. For students, but mostly for teachers. We really need that break. Here are a couple of end of school activities that will help with that,

But before you start sipping that cocktail by the pool, have some fun with your students if you can. In some countries, students returned to school at the beginning of June to wrap things up. Use the last couple of days to connect with your students and enjoy your time together. Here are some quick and simple end of year activities and games for ESL classes.

No-prep end of school activities

Picture dictation

Students work in pairs. One has a picture (any picture from a textbook, their own photos on phone, whatever) and describes the picture to their partner who has to draw the picture as accurately as possible. Entertaining activity for future artists.

Picture description

A variation of the previous activity. Students choose a couple of photos(appropriate) from their phones and describe it to each other. Works great as a quick warm-up.

Write a survey

Tell the students to each write 10 questions for a class survey. Give them a topic (summer holidays, hobbies, habits, future, etc). When they have written the questions let them survey each other and report their results at the end of the lesson. They love to talk about themselves! Who doesn’t, right?

Dictionary game

Tell the students to use a dictionary(an app, online, or paper) and find a couple of words they don’t know. For each of the words they need to write down the original definition of the word and make up two more definitions that are false. Thy then work in groups of three or four and read their definitions to their classmates who have to guess the right definition. They get a point for every correct guess. This is a fun guessing game that is also great for learning new vocabulary.

Draw a giraffe

This is another activity for aspiring artists. Two students sit with their backs to each other. Each will have a paper and a pencil/pen. Their task is to draw a giraffe or any other animal or an object, but each of them has to draw only a half of the final image. They can’t see what the other one is drawing so they have to communicate, how to draw it. It’s a lot of fun and the students can have an exhibition of the finished drawings and comment on them.

Plan a holiday trip

Put the students in pairs and tell them they have to plan a trip for the summer. They have to plan the whole itinerary and come with a budget for that trip. Hiking in the French Alps? A cruise in the Caribbean? Everything is possible!

Guess who I am

You’ll need a self-stick pad and a pen. Put the students in groups of four. They will write a name of a famous person or literary character(on anything else) on the self-stick note and stick it onto the forehead of a person sitting next to them so nobody know what is written there. They have to ask yes/no questions to guess the personality. A classic!

*Prince William plays post-it note game on charity visit. Source: The Telegraph*

Mini presentations

Give each student two slips of paper. Tell them to write down a topic they would like to discuss. When they are done, take ale the slips of paper, put them in a bin or a hat and have students each draw a slip. Tell them that they will have to give a short presentation on the topic. Give them 2 minutes to think about the topic, then put them in group of four. They will have each five minutes to present their topic. If there is time at the end of the lesson, have them ask follow up questions.

Print and play end of school activities

One minute talk

This is a very simple, no-prep activity. In pairs, students give each other a topic to talk about and they have to talk uninterrupted for a minute. It is more difficult than it sounds, especially with topics such as egg yolks, armpit hair o or shoe laces. If your students lack imagination, you can use these ideas: One Minute Talk Cards.

Role plays

Role-plays are fun, educational, great for shy students, creative, fun, and did I mention fun? You can create your own, look for some online or download these:

Role-plays about nature and the environment

Negotiation role-plays based on real life situations

Balderdash

Balderdash is a word bluffing game in which you write definitions for weird words. The definitions may or may not be correct. You will find more about the game and a free PDF in this link.

Discussion questions

Another classic activity. If you don’t want to waste time googling, you can download this 120 Conversation Starters activity.

Picture description

I’ve mention no-prep picture description activities above, for this activity you can download my free PDF resources:

Picture Prompts for Speaking

Creative Storytelling

Stories with a twist

This activity is a cross of telling a story, inventing your own and acting. I use famous stories with three or more characters so the kids can work in small groups. Then I assign the story and let them draw a card with a specific genre. You can download the activity with my stories here or prepare your own, using stories well known in your culture.

Stories with a Twist

Dominoes

A fun game of vocabulary dominoes. Students can work individually, in pairs or in teams. Great for vocabulary revision.

Travel Dominoes

Places Dominoes

Online end of school activities

Jeopardylabs

Everybody knows Jeopardy. So far, I was able to find any grammar or vocabulary revision quiz I needed. Lots of quizzes on many topics, but beware as the quality varies. You can create your own Jeopardy quiz and you can also assign your students a topic and let them create their own quiz to test their classmates’ knowledge.

Baamboozle

I use this site mostly with my younger learners as it doesn’t have many higher level grammar or vocabulary quizzes.
My tip: put your students in teams (max number of teams is 4), choose a quiz and let them play the Classic mode with the power up, it’s much more fun!

Quizizz

My favorite online quiz tool can be used to assign homework (this works great) or do solo practice. Very useful during lockdown, but also anytime. Assigning homework online in just a few clicks? The system checks it? The students see and track their progress? It gamiefies the learning process? What’s not to love!

Kahoot

If you don’t know Kahoot, you should definitely start using it. Right now! Kahoot is widely popular and it’s good to know that its creators made Premium available for free for the rest of the academic year. Try it out!

The Game Gal

Here you can find plenty of simple, family-friendly games. I mostly use the Word Generator for charades, pictionary and other games. The great thing is I only need my laptop and I project the words on the whiteboard, so the students don’t need computers.

Future Conversation Questions for Engaging Student Discussions: Future Perfect, Future Continuous, Future Simple in the ESL Classroom

If you’re an ESL teacher, you know that getting students to practice speaking is a top priority. One way to do this is by using future conversation questions that focus on future tenses (future simple, future perfect, and future continuous). In this blog post, we’ll dive into why using these types of questions can be a game-changer for ESL students and the overall importance of speaking activities.

Practicing the future tenses, especially in conversation, can do wonders for students’ ability to express their plans and predictions and understand what others are saying. Using conversation questions in class gives students the chance to put their knowledge of the tenses into practice in a natural setting. This helps them improve their fluency and confidence when speaking.

Another perk of using conversation questions is that it helps with vocabulary acquisition. As students discuss their future plans, they’re exposed to new words and phrases that they can add to their vocabulary. Plus, it’s a great way for students to see the tenses in action and understand how they’re used in real-life situations.

Using future conversation questions also promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students have to think about their plans and predictions and make decisions about what they’ll say. This type of practice helps prepare them for real-life conversations where they’ll need to think on their feet and respond to new information.

But the benefits of speaking practice go beyond just the future tenses. When students are speaking, they’re actively using the language and this helps solidify their understanding of grammar and vocabulary. Plus, speaking activities give students the chance to hear native speakers, which can improve their listening skills and accent.

Overall, using the worksheet Future Conversation Questions is a fantastic way to get students to speak and improve their language skills. But it’s important to remember that speaking activities should be used in combination with other methods like reading, writing, and listening activities. And it’s important to create a comfortable and safe environment for students to speak in, where they feel encouraged to take risks and make mistakes.

Looking for more conversation activities? Try 120 Conversation Starters!

What are some of the things you hope to have accomplished by the end of this year?
How do you think your life will be different once you have completed all of your goals?
How do you think your relationships will have evolved by the time you reach a significant anniversary?
What do you think will be humanity’s greatest achievements in the future?
What new places will you be visiting next week?
How do you think your perspective on life will have changed by the time you turn 30?
What do you think will be the biggest challenges facing companies in the future?
How do you think people’s lives will have been impacted by major construction projects by the time they are finished?
What do you think will be the most important issues facing politicians in the future?
How do you think music will have evolved by the time the next concert season starts?
How will you be spending your summer vacation?
What do you think will be the most exciting developments in your field of work in the future?
How do you think people’s leisure time will be spent in the future?
What topics will you be discussing with your friends tomorrow?
What do you think will be the most talked-about events in the world in the next few years?
How do you think our economy will be performing in the next decade?
What will you be doing at this time next year?
What do you think will be the most significant challenges facing society in the next decade?
How do you think technology will have impacted the way we live our lives by the end of this century?
How do you think you will feel once you have reached a certain milestone in your career?
What are some of the things you think will have changed in the world by the time you’re ready to retire?
How do you think education will have evolved in the future?
What do you think will be the biggest breakthroughs in science and medicine in the next 20 years?
How do you think travel will have changed by the time you’re ready to retire?
What will you be doing this time on Sunday?

Download the worksheet: ESL Future Conversation Questions

Other useful resources:

Conversation Questions: Future Tenses

Online ESL Video Lesson : Can Sci-fi Predict the Future?

Travel ESL Conversation Questions

Conversation Questions Conditionals: ESL Speaking Activity

Conversation Questions: Present Perfect and Past Simple

Modal Verbs Conversation Questions, Use, and Examples

More Role-play Ideas for English Classroom

Welcome to Role-play English Resources!

Want to make learning English more fun? Try role-playing! It’s a great way for ESL students to practice their conversation, grammar, listening, reading, and writing skills. We’ve got a ton of cool role-play activities, games, scripts, and ideas for you to use in the classroom. Whether you’re a teacher or a student, our resources will help you bring role-playing into your English language class and improve your language skills.

Role-playing in the ESL classroom is a game-changer! As an ESL teacher, I’ve found that these activities are a fun and effective way to help my students improve their language skills in a natural way. It also gets my students excited and engaged in their English studies.

By putting students in realistic scenarios, role-playing allows them to practice using the language in a communicative context. It helps them develop their communication and problem-solving abilities, and it builds confidence and fluency in using the language.

There are so many role-play activities ESL teachers can use in the classroom! And, the best part is that you can always customize them to fit the needs and interests of your students. This way, they can practice language specific to all sorts of topics and scenarios.

I highly recommend incorporating role-play English scenarios in your lessons. Travel is one of my favorite topics to use, it’s always a hit with the students. Also, a restaurant role-play is a great way to bring some fun to the classroom.

Yo, there are so many role-playing activities English teachers can use in the classroom! And, the best part is that you can always customize them to fit the needs and interests of your students. This way, they can practice language specific to all sorts of topics and scenarios.

You will find more new engaging roleplays on different topics below. Give them a shot, and let me know how they go. I’m always curious to hear how they worked out for you and your students.

Roleplay 1: Family

Student A: You and your sibling are arguing over your shared bedroom. You are the older sibling, and you are very interested in fashion and design. You have recently started following some interior design blogs and Instagram accounts, and you have been inspired to redecorate your bedroom. You want to add some bright colors, modern furniture, and trendy wall art to the room.

Student B: You and your sibling are arguing over your shared bedroom. You are the younger sibling, and you are more practical and comfortable in your tastes. You have always enjoyed the traditional and cozy feel of the shared bedroom, and you don’t want to change it too much. You like the current furniture and decor, and you don’t see the need for a major overhaul.

Roleplay 2: Housing, Education, Relationships

Student A: You are a first-year student, and you are very excited to be living in the dorms. You have made many new friends and you want to spend as much time as possible with them. You want to have people over every weekend to hang out, watch movies, and play games. Talk to your roommate.

Student B: You are a first-year student focused on your studies. You want to do well in college and you need a quiet and peaceful environment to study in. You are worried that having people over every weekend will be too distracting and disruptive. Talk to your roommate.

Roleplay 3: Education

Student A: You are a teenager who believes that the government should have a minimal role in education and that schools should be run independently. You believe that this would lead to more innovation and better outcomes for students.

Student B: You are a parent who believes that the government should have a strong role in education in order to ensure that all students have access to quality education. You also believe that government oversight is necessary to hold schools accountable for their performance.

Roleplay 4: Housing, Finances

Student A: You are the older sibling who is currently living in the family home. You have just graduated from college and are planning to move out soon. You believe that it is important to sell the family home so that the money can be split among all the siblings.

Student B: You are the younger sibling who is still living at home with your parents. You feel that the family home is an important part of your childhood and you would like to keep it in the family. You are feeling frustrated because Student A seems to only be thinking about their own financial gain, rather than the sentimental value of the family home.

Roleplay 5: Housing, Relationships

Student A: You are a resident of a suburban neighborhood. You are very proud of your lawn and garden and take great care to maintain them. You believe that the shared driveway should be maintained equally by all of the neighbors.

Student B: You are also a resident of a suburban neighborhood. You have just moved in and have not had time to work on your lawn and garden yet. You feel that Student A is putting too much pressure on you to keep the shared driveway looking perfect. You are feeling frustrated because you believe that Student A should be more understanding of your situation.

Roleplay 6: Health

Student A: You are a high school student who is an advocate for mental health awareness and de-stigmatization. You believe that mental health is just as important as physical health and should be treated with the same importance. You have personal experience with mental health issues and have seen the impact of a lack of access to resources and support.

Student B: You are a school counselor who works with high school students. You believe that mental health is important and support the use of therapy and medication in treatment. However, you believe that some students may be overdiagnosed and overmedicated and that other forms of support and intervention should also be considered.

Roleplay 7: Travel

Student A: You are a high school student who has always wanted to go on a trip to Europe. You have saved up enough money to finally make it happen, and you have planned out all of the destinations you want to visit. However, your best friend, Student B, has a different idea for where the two of you should go. Your role in this argument is to convince Student B that Europe is the perfect destination for your trip and to explain why you have been dreaming of going there for so long.

Student B: You are a high school student and the best friend of Student A. You have always wanted to go on a trip to Asia, and you think that it would be a more exciting and unique destination than Europe. Your role in this argument is to convince Student A that Asia is the better choice for your trip and to explain why you think it would be a more memorable experience.

Download the role-plays: Role plays Ideas for English Classroom

Try also our other resources:

Business English Role-play Activity: Annoying Coworkers

ESL Communication Activity: Science Role-Plays

ESL Role-play Worksheet: Food

Travel ESL Conversation Questions

This is an excellent speaking activity for students when engaged in a conversation about travel, as well as for adult students in any program or one-on-one lessons. Travel words on the list include – journey, flights, destination, trip, license, accommodation, backpacking, international, leisure, and countries.

The free discussion worksheet for the topic of travel is anything but boring, and it’s guaranteed to pique your students’ curiosity. They may be inspired to go on vacation or organize group trips, especially when cheap flights are easily available on reputable websites such as sa.wego.com.

Students should be placed in groups or pairs, and they should take notes on what their partners say and answer.

Travel ESL Conversation Questions

Have you ever been abroad?
Where have you been?
Are you planning on going anywhere for your next vacation?
- If so, where?
- Who with?
- How long will you stay?
Are you afraid of going abroad alone?
Do you have any tips to get cheap flights?
Could you live in another country for the rest of your life?
Describe the most interesting person you met on one of your travels.
What was your best trip.
What was your worst trip.
Did your class in high school go on a trip together?
- If so, where did you go?
- How long did you stay?
- How did you get there?
Do you have a driver’s license?
Do you like to travel with children? Why or why not?
Do you like to travel with your mother? Why or why not?
Do you prefer summer vacations or winter vacations?
Do you prefer to travel alone or in a group? Why?
Do you prefer to travel by train, bus, plane or ship?
Do you prefer traveling by car or by plane?
Have you ever been in a difficult situation while traveling?
Have you ever been on an airplane?
- How many times?
- What airlines have you flown with?
Have you ever been to a foreign country?
Have you ever gotten lost while traveling? If so, tell about it.
Have you ever hitchhiked? If so, how many times?
Have you ever taken a package tour?
How do you spend your time when you are on holiday and the weather is bad?
How many countries have you been to? How many states?
How many times have you traveled abroad?
How much luggage do you usually carry?
If you traveled to South America, what countries would like to visit?
If you went to ___(Insert a country name)__, what kind of souvenirs would you buy?
If you were going on a camping trip for a week, what 10 things would you bring? Explain why.
What are some countries that you would never visit? Why would you not visit them?
What are some things that you always take with you on a trip?
What countries would you like to visit? Why?
What countries would you most like to visit?
What countries would you not like to visit? Why?
What country do you most want to visit?
- Why?
- Do you think you will ever go there?
What do you need before you can travel to another country?
What is the most interesting city to visit in your country?
What is the most interesting souvenir that you have ever bought on one of your holidays?
What languages can you speak?
What place do you want to visit someday?
What was the most interesting place you have ever visited?
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to?
When was the last time your traveled?
When you are on a long car journey do you play games or sing songs to occupy your time?
- What kind of games?
- What songs?
Where are you going to go the next time you travel?
- When are you going to go?
- Who are you going to go with?
- How long are you going to go for?
- What are you going to do there?
- What kind of things do you think you will buy?
Where did you go on your last vacation?
- How did you go?
- Who did you go with?
Where did you spend your last vacation? Your summer vacation? Your Christmas vacation?
Where will you go on your next vacation?
Would you like to take a cruise? Where to? With who?
Do you prefer traveling on a hovercraft or a ferry?
Would you prefer to stay at a hotel/motel or camp while on vacation?
Would you rather visit another country or travel within your own country?
Would you rather go to a place where there are a lot of people or to a place where there are few people?
Do you find more fulfillment from your leisure activities including vacations than from your job?
Do you think the type of vacation one takes reflects one’s social status?
What are popular tourist destinations in your country?
- Have you been to any of them?
- Which would you recommend if you could only recommend one? Why?
Do you prefer active or relaxing holidays? Why?
Which is better, package tour or a tour you organize and book yourself?
Why do you travel?
- Why do people travel?
Would you like to go back to the same place?
Did you find anything of particular interest? / Did you get attracted to anything special?
What are some benefits of travel?
- Why do people travel?
What is your favorite mode of travel?
Have you travelled in business class?
When you were a child did your family take a vacation every year?
Do you prefer a budget or first class hotel? Why?
Do you travel with a lot of baggage or do you like to travel light?
What is your favorite method of travel at your destination? Train? Bus? Boat? Bicycle? Backpacking?
What is the best kind of holiday for different ages of people? Children? Teenagers? Adults? Elderly people?
Do you think it is a good idea to travel with friends, or alone? How about with your family?
If you had $100,000, where would you go on holiday? How about if you had $10,000? What about $1,000?
Which countries have you travelled to?
Do you prefer hot countries or cool countries when you go on holiday
Who makes the decisions when your family decides to go on holiday
If you could choose one place to go this weekend, where would it be?
How do you browse for the best deals on flight tickets?
Has the airline ever lost your luggage? What happened?
On long flights do you usually walk around the plane to avoid health problems?
Have you ever read an interesting question in an in-flight magazine? What was it?
Is there any difference between young tourists and adult tourists?
Do you think tourism will harm the earth?

This is a sponsored blog post by sa.wego.com

Other resources:

ESL Travel Vocabulary Taboo Cards

ESL/EFL Vocabulary Activity: Travel Compound Nouns Dominoes

ESL Role Play Worksheet: Travel/Holidays

Food and Travel ESL Lesson: Interactive Online Lesson

ESL Conversation Lesson: Game Of Thrones And Traveling

10 No-Prep and Low-Prep Fun ESL Christmas Activities

It’s the time of the year again!

I’m slowly getting into the Christmas mood, and nothing says Christmas more than music. Although I love listening to festive music mostly when I’m wrapping presents, planning a holiday lesson isn’t that bad either.

So grab a cup of tea or mulled wine, enjoy the music and let the creative juices flow. Or try these ESL Christmas activities.

Secret Santa

You know how this works, don’t you? Every student will become a Secret Santa to a classmate whose name they draw. The catch- they will not give each other sweets or other small gifts. The gifts these Secret Santas will be giving are a personalized poem or a short story for the lucky recipient.

Baked Goods Party

If possible, have the students bake something at home and take pictures of the process. The next day, everyone will bring what they baked and the students will take turns describing what and how they baked it. Think of it as a show and tell Christmas Edition. Plus, there will be sharing and tasting.

Charity Auction

Let the students choose a charity they want to contribute to. The next day, they will bring stuff they don’t need or don’t use for the auction. Decide on the starting price and minimum bid. Each student will describe the product they are selling. The students love outbidding each other and the will learn about helping others.

Christmas Taboo

Taboo is a classic vocabulary activity. You can download the Christmas version below.

Christmas Taboo Cards

Christmas Traditions Presentations

Each student chooses a country and will prepare a presentation about the Christmas traditions of the chosen country (or any major holiday if the country doesn’t celebrate Christmas)

Christmas Movie and Discussion

Why not watch a short Christmas movie? Or download our Advent Activity Calendar for even more activity ideas.

Advent Activity Calendar

Christmas Songs Complete the Lyrics

Find a couple of popular Christmas songs, copy the lyrics, erase some words and you’ll have a nice Christmas listening activity. And an earworm!

Christmas Charades

Prepare small slips of paper
Put the students into groups of three or four
Let them write vocabulary related to Christmas on the slips of paper(or use the Christmas taboo cards)
The groups exchange the vocabulary piles
In groups, they take turns and draw one paper slip at a time. They have to act out the word or expression for the group to guess

Bucket List

Depending on the age of your students, tell them to think about the things they would like to achieve by a certain age( 15,18,25,30). Have them write a list containing ten things they want to achieve, do, experience before that certain age. When they complete the list, put them into groups of three to discuss their choices.

Christmas Postcards

Cut drawing paper into postcard-sized pieces. Students first draw a Christmas postcard and then write a short holiday greeting to a member of their family or a friend. They’ve probably never written a postcard before. If you want, you can arrange for the postcards to be sent. It will be a nice Christmas surprise.

I hope you liked these ESL Christmas activities. Share your favorite ideas in the comments!

Halloween Vocabulary Activity: ESL Video and Speaking Activity

It’s almost here! Our students’ favorite holiday! Halloween!

Ok, not everyone loves Halloween, but it’s a perfect opportunity to have a little fun in the classroom. There are plenty of various activities online and for those who don’t like crafts and are not particularly artsy (as myself) I’ve put together this cute Halloween vocabulary activity based on even cuter video by TedEd, which is by the way one of my favorite sources for educational videos.

Despite the animated video, the topic and vocabulary are perhaps not suitable for younger students (younger than 12). Watch the video beforehand to make sure it’s appropriate for your class.

Halloween activity based on video from TedEd.

WARM UP

1. What is your favorite holiday/festival?

2. Do you celebrate Halloween?

3. What traditions do you celebrate in your country on Halloween?

4. Do you like scary stories?

5. What costume would you like to wear for Halloween?

VOCABULARY

1. Match the halves of the expressions

1) spindly a) grounds

2) rusted b) gardens

3) crumbling c) tops

4) solitary d) trees

5) blooming e) catacombs

6) burial f) grounds

7) head g) gate

8) crowds h) stone

9) mountain i) yard

10) subterranean j) water

11) church k) mourner

12) ground l) of people

VIDEO

1. Watch the video and check your answers.

2. Complete the sentences with the expressions from Ex. 1

1. The ________________________are very extensive and hold numerous galleries and graves of different types.

2. Adding a ___________________ to a gravesite or memorial is one of the most common ways to commemorate a loved one once they are gone

3. The old ____________________ is bent and battered, but it holds a lot of memories for our family.

4. Large parts of the northern _______________________ were destroyed in order to make space for the basements of the new building

5. There are fears that _____________________ might become contaminated

6. The fate of endemic birds of eastern Brazilian _________________ in the face of climate change.

7. __________________________ watched the fireworks.

8. Americans had always buried their dead, but did so in churchyards, town commons, or municipal __________________

9. Seven years before our story begins Scrooge is seen, as a _________________, at the funeral of his business partner Jacob Marley.

10. Making sure that no one was looking, I touched the ___________________. Sand grains accumulated in my hand.

11. The island’s west side slopes into terraces and cultivated __________________.

12. Some tall, _____________________need to be cut at the top in order to produce new twig or branch growth.

DISCUSSION

What information from the video surprised you the most?

Would you be scared if you were in a graveyard at night? Why?

How did people bury their dead in the past?

How do you think people will bury their dead in the future? Why?

Download:

Halloween Worksheet: Video ESL Vocabulary and Speaking Activity SW

Halloween Worksheet: Video ESL Vocabulary and Speaking Activity TN

Bonus for your entertainment, a comic by Oatmeal.

Other resources:

Halloween ESL Video Lesson: Simone Giertz Made a Soup Robot

Online ESL Video Lesson Plans

ESL Personality Questions and Reading Worksheet

ESL personality questions based on reading activity and 20 conversation questions with personality adjectives.

1 Warm up. Watch the video and do the personality test. Do you agree with the result?

2 Read the text and answer the questions below.

Personality is the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique. It is believed that personality arises from within the individual and remains consistent throughout life.

Examples of personality can be found in how we describe other people’s characteristics. For instance, “She is generous, caring, and a bit of a perfectionist,” or “They are loyal and protective of their friends.”

The word “personality” comes from the Latin word persona, which refers to a theatrical mask worn by performers in order to either take on different roles or disguise their identities.

Personality Types

One theory suggests there are four types of personality. They are:

Type A: Perfectionist, impatient, competitive, work-obsessed, achievement-oriented, aggressive, stressed
Type B: Low stress, even-tempered, flexible, creative, adaptable to change, patient, tendency to procrastinate
Type C: Highly conscientious, perfectionist, struggles to reveal emotions (positive and negative)
Type D: Worrying, sad, irritable, pessimistic, negative self-talk, avoidance of social situations, lack of self-confidence, fear of rejection, appears gloomy, hopeless

Research on personality can provide us with fascinating insights into how personality develops and changes over the course of a lifetime. This research can also have important practical applications in the real world.

For example, people can use a personality assessment (also called a personality test or personality quiz) to learn more about themselves and their unique strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Some assessments might look at how people rank on specific traits, such as whether they are high in extroversion, conscientiousness, or openness.

Other assessments might measure how specific aspects of personality change over time. Some assessments give people insight into how their personality affects many areas of their lives, including career, relationships, personal growth, and more.

Personality type can also have an impact on your health, including how often you visit the doctor and how you cope with stress. Researchers have found that certain personality characteristics may be linked to illness and health behaviors.

Adapted from: Verywell Mind

What is personality?
How can we learn more about ourselves?
Can personality change over time?
How can your personality influence your health?
How would you describe yourself?

ESL Personality Questions

How would you describe someone creative?
Who is the most competitive member of your family?
How do you feel about people who are impatient?
Who is the most generous person you know?
What are some irritable habits you have?
Are you rather pessimistic or optimistic?
In which profession do you need to be really achievement-oriented?
How can we improve our self-confidence?
Do you think one can train to become more patient?
Do people get less flexible as they age?
Have you ever been in a situation that felt hopeless? What happened?
What makes some people charismatic?
Do you know someone hilarious?
Describe your most reliable friend.
Describe your most conscientious friend.
How would you describe someone who is resourceful?
Do you think aggressive people should be put in jail?
What are intuitive people good at?
Do you think a mother can be impartial about her children?
What are you determined to accomplish?

Similar resources:

Conversation Questions: Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Conversation Questions Passive Voice: ESL Speaking Activity

50 ESL Conversation Questions for Teens and Adults

12 ESL Negotiation Role-plays: Real-life situations

Communication Boardgame

ESL Reported Speech Speaking Activity: Gossip

TED Talks Worksheets

15 Back to School Activities: Icebreakers, Warm-ups, and Energizers

Fun and easy-to-use back to school activities

1) Learn your students’ names

New class, new faces, new names – a mess. This back to school activity has saved me multiple times. You can learn 30 new names in minutes, kids have fun and they painlessly learn new adjectives. Start by explaining how difficult it is for teachers to learn students’ names and that you need their help. At the end of the activity let them test you- they will be thrilled. Students need to introduce themselves by an adjective that starts with the same letter as their first name. You start by giving an example: My name is Al, so I am Artistic Al. The first student has to repeat your name after you – You are Artistic Al, and add their own – I am Hilarious Hannah. The second student repeats the previous names and adds their own, and so on. At the end of the round, ask the first student(who had the easiest task) to say all the names backward. Finally, say all their names quickly(with or without the adjectives). Congrats, you’ve learned your new students’ names!

2) Oh, really?

Put the students in pairs and tell them they will have a conversation. The first student has to start with a short sentence, like this:

Student 1: I play tennis.

The other student responds: Oh, really?, and adds extra information( a word or a phrase).

So it should be like this: Oh, really? I play tennis every day.

Student 1 continues: Oh, really? I play tennis every day with Serena Williams.

Student 2 responds: Oh, really? I play tennis every day with Serena Williams in Monaco.

Student 1 responds: Oh, really? I play tennis every day with Serena Williams in Monaco while feeding dolphins.

And so on. Can they keep up?

The student who will form the longest grammatically correct (and at least a little bit coherent) answer wins.

3) Questionnaire

Have your students write a questionnaire. Chose a subject(summer holiday, school, hobbies, general personality questions) or let them decide. After that, students circulate the classroom and ask their questions. They should talk to 4-5 people. When they finish, ask them to share any interesting answers, it usually leads to lively discussions.

Unfinished sentences ESL speaking activity is great for revising grammar, as a warm-up or a conversation starter.

It can be used with groups of various sizes as well as in one to one classes.

4) Unfinished sentences

Unfinished sentences ESL speaking activity is great for revising grammar, as a warm-up or a conversation starter. It’s a perfect back to school activity.

It can be used with groups of various sizes as well as in one to one classes.

Finish the sentence. Tell your story.

1. I was very surprised when__________________________________________________.

2. What I value most about my friends is_____________________________________.

3. I really regret_______________________________________________________________.

4. One of my favourite childhood memories is_______________________________.

5. I could never_______________________________________________________________

5) Find someone who

You can easily find tons of these worksheets online or just put together a couple of ideas.

Find somebody

-who doesn’t like chocolate.
-who is vegan.
-who has a tattoo.
-who speaks more than 2 languages.
-who’s never flown before.
-who wants to be famous.
-who has a special talent.

6) Vocabulary race

This is probably more suitable for younger kids. Put them into two teams, divide the board into two sections, give them a topic and let them run a relay with the marker to write as many words on the topic they know.

7) Get physical- Gordian knot

This activity doesn’t involve any language practice but it is great for kids who don’t know each other, to break the ice and create a positive atmosphere. It also shows you how the students communicate, who is a natural leader and how they deal with problems, so it’s quite useful.

You need an even number of students for this. The students stand in a tight circle. Tell them to close their eyes. Then they put their left hand in front of them and try to grab any free hand they can find. Eyes still closed. Repeat the same with the right hand. Eyes open. They should be intertwined – hence the Gordian knot. Without letting any hand go, they should untangle the knot and form a circle. Sometimes there are two or three smaller circles when they grabbed a hand right next to them. That’s ok, they will work it out after a couple of attempts.

8) Conversation questions

This speaking activity contains 50 ESL conversation questions for teenagers and adult learners. (16+, B1+). It is best for small groups or as a pair-work.

Conversation questions

9) One minute talk

This is a very simple, no-prep activity. In pairs, students give each other a topic to talk about and they have to talk uninterrupted for a minute. It is more difficult than it sounds, especially with dry topics such as door, socks, or air. If your students lack imagination, you can use these ideas: One Minute Talk Cards.

10) What do they have in common?

This is mostly an activity you can use with new students, but it can be also used in larger classes where the students don’t know each other that well. Put students who don’t know (or don’t know well) each other into pairs and tell them to find out 3-5 things they have in common and 1-2 things they don’t have in common. Let them talk to more people. After that, discuss with the whole class what surprising or interesting things they’ve found out about their classmates.

11) Online quizzes

If your students like technology, you can use some fun interactive activities. You can find a list of 10 great sites here: 10 Websites To Make Your Lessons More Engaging And Fun.

12) Hypothetical questions

These conversation questions are more suitable for more advanced students as the questions are hypothetical, so it requires a knowledge of conditionals and a certain level of creativity. These can be also used for online classes.

Click here.

13) Vocabulary: taboo

A timeless classic! If you have time, you can make your own, if not try these:

Media/Entertainment Taboo Cards,
Travel/Holiday Vocabulary Cards
Health Taboo Cards
Food Taboo Cards.

14) Get them to know each other

A timer, fifteen questions and a lot of fun. A classroom appropriate variation of speed dating. Arrange the desks so that two students sit at one desk facing each other. Give each a set of “speed dating” questions. You can download a set here. Set a timer for a couple of minutes, and when the time’s up one student moves and another sits in their place.

15) Mini presentations

ESL conversation topics for intermediate and upper intermediate students. You can use the slideshow and share your screen on Zoom or other app when teaching online. Just click on the full screen option in the top right corner of the slideshow.

Click here.

More ideas for back to school activities