Title: Acquaintance

Anna Moisseyeva

School-college “Magistr”, Almaty, Kazakhstan

E-mail: manna@nursat.kz

Language level of students: pre-intermediate

Age group: 12-13

Time: 40 minutes

Skills: Speaking, reading, writing

Resources and materials: www.onestopenglish.com

Credit published materials: Inside out/ resource pack/ intermediate

PROCEDURE

Preparation: First you need to get hold of the list of names of your new students some time before classes start. Look at those names and try to imagine the people behind them. There may be some intriguing, exotic (for you) names, some solid-sounding, dependable names, pretty, funny names, names which tell a story or which remind you of other people you have known etc. Then try and build up a picture of each individual from their names – their likes and dislikes, personality, habits, hobbies – you just need to follow inspiration.

Write a few lines explaining what you have imagined for each student. Remember that the students are going to read this. Adapt the vocabulary to the level of the group but keep it “real” if you want them to take it seriously. The students will need help for some of the words but that’s good.

Pre-activity: Give each student a copy of his/her “imagined profile” to read. They may be surprised at how intuitive you are, or they might laugh at your preposterous

imaginings. (Attachment 1)

Tell students to move on to do some pair work. Suggest that they compare their profiles and explain to each what is/ isn’t correct where necessary.

Activity Give out one list of questions to each pair of students. They work asking each other and answering questions. (Attachment 2)  Invite them to get back together and report on their findings. They may go on to discuss the title of the exercise.

Post-Activity  Messenger. Messenger is a way of communicating from one computer to another in “real time”. One person types a message on their computer. It is like an internet “chat” between two people.

                      Simulate a messenger chat in following way:

•        Divide the class into pairs and give each pair a blank piece of paper.

•        Explain that they have six minutes to have a conversation with each other, but that they cannot say anything.

•        They must do this in writing. One learner writes a message on the piece of paper and hands it to the other learner. The other learner writes a response and hands it back to the first student.

•        Give your students more guidance by supplying them with a role play situation each, e.g. You are looking for a pen pal to improve your language/ or  You’re going to France. Ask about French

Additional materials:

Attachment 1  Individual Profile

Attachment 2  How well do you know your classmates? questions

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