EF1 UNIT 2

(Note – I know this first activity might seem a little weird [it is], but it is a great way to get them to try something new and experimental at the beginning of the year. I find that useful. Besides, the blindfolds can come in handy when you get to unit 5 – directions. However, if this is “too much” for your students, a second activity appears below it. By the way, the EF2, Unit 10 activity also deals with describing people.)

Blindfold descriptions

Preparation: Get or make blindfolds for half the class. Many discount stores (dollar shops/ ¥100/1000won, NT$30 shops, etc.) sell them in the “travel goods” area. Or just use handkerchiefs.

Procedure: (do this after they have done both the pairwork (descriptions of people) and the groupwork (talking about their families)
Divide the class into pairs. In each pair, one partner puts on a blindfold. That partner stays where he or she is. Other pair members move and sit with someone in the class they do not know. With the new partner, they describe their family. When finished, the blindfolded partner has to say what they imagine the speaker looks like. Then they take off the blindfold and notice if the guess was right or wrong.

Who's that?

Preparation: Prepare magazine pictures of people so that there is one picture for pairs of students in the class (e.g., 20 students, 10 pictures). (Hint: in large classes, have each students bring 2 or 3 pictures of people who are not famous. Tell them to do so the class before you want to do this activity. Keep the pictures. You can use them for later units.)

Procedure: Give each pair of students one picture. Tell them to use their imaginations and make up basic information about the people in their pictures. Write the following on the board for the students to refer to: name, nationality, age, where he/she lives, marital status, family, occupation, free-time activities, other. Set a time limit of about 5 minutes for the pairs to decide on the information about the people in their pictures.

Then have each pair join another pair. The pairs should ask each other questions about the people in the pictures. Depending on the group, you may want to do a quick run-through of the questions they should ask: What's her name? Where is she from? How old is she? Is she married? How many people are there in her family? etc.

If you're going to rob a bank, wear a wig! (and other interesting things about describing people). http://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/wig/index.html

Put a face on an apple (or a cabbage...or Bill Clinton!). How would you describes these eyes, ears, mouths and more? (This is a good site to try with a friend.) http://apple-corps.westnet.com/apple_corps.2.html