Activity

Let's Talk! (Speaking Challenge)

A sheet with English questions & answers (+a bonus sheet) which can be handed out and used as a speaking warm-up for the beginning of each class.

I use these for all of my classes (I borrowed the idea from my past JTE). I think it really helps students with their confidence in speaking English and the repetition helps them remember important English phrases. I thought I'd share it in case anyone else finds it helpful!

There is:
1) the Talk Sheet w/ Japanese translations on the back side (There are different versions for each grade depending on what they have learned so far - up until Unit 2~3 of New Horizons)
2) Bonus sheet (optional)

Note:
-I print them on colored paper. If they get a new talk sheet, it's printed on a different colored paper than the last to help distinguish them.
-Each version shares some questions, but there are grade specific questions as well.


Instructions:

1) Each student gets a talk sheet (and bonus sheet, if you choose). They will keep it in their English file. For the very first time, you will have the JTE read the Japanese question/answer on the back, then you will read the corresponding English question/answer, and the students will repeat after YOU in English. You should do this for every question. This is just the introduction to the new talk sheet.

2) Explain that the students have 10 minutes to talk to their classmates. When they ask a question, they will put a circle in the box next to the question. They will do that for all questions (but only down one of the columns). It can be used for up to 4 times, which is why there are 4 columns.

3) If they talk to you, they get one bonus. If they talk to their JTE, they get one bonus. If they finish ALL questions in 10 minutes, they get one bonus. So, up to 3 bonuses each time! They should put a star or something instead of a circle if they talk to you or the JTE. These bonuses are stamps on their bonus sheets ( I always give out stamps at the end of each English class.) This is optional, but I find that it motivates the students to do their best. I give them prizes for getting bonuses (stickers, keychains, notebooks, etc). Maybe you can negotiate with your JTE about some kind of reward.

4) After the 10 minutes are up and they go back to their seat, I always ask them to raise their hand if they talked to me. Then I say "1 bonus!" And again, I ask them to raise their hand if they talked to the JTE. Again "1 bonus!" And then I ask them to raise their hand if they finished. "1 bonus!" So it's clear to them how many bonuses they got (which they will tell me at the end of class when they get their stamp.)

5) As I mentioned, you can use it for up to 4 class periods, so they can really practice these questions. After finishing the 4 columns, they will get a new talk sheet with new questions.


Other Notes:

-I lead the full class period every time, so this warm-up is very helpful for using up some of the class time.

-I practice saying the questions with them in English (having them listen and repeat) for the first 2 times or so (we only include the Japanese for the 1st time), but they become confident in saying it and tell me they don't need to practice after a couple of times. So, it's up to you.

-If 10 minutes is too long, you can challenge them and shorten the time.

16
Submitted by Celestar129 June 10, 2023 Estimated time: 5~10 minutes
  1. Celestar129 June 12, 2023

    @jxjan Of course!

Sign in or create an account to leave a comment.