Pronunciation Drill

For a class of 12 students or less (although you can always adapt it!).

1. Divide students into groups 6. Give each student a number from 1- 6.

2. After reviewing a minimal pair combination of sounds (pat - pet), roll the die. If the die rolls to, say, 2, both number 2 students should get up front.

3. The student from the first group reads the words from the first column (pat), and the other student reads the words from the other column (pet). After they finish the list, roll the die again for another pair of students to come up.

4. You can also have a number which means "all participate", so students line up in two rows and each one gets to read a word from their column.

This activity keeps them moving and on their toes, but it must be done only if students feel comfortable coming up front- otherwise it could be tortuous, especially if they still don't feel comfortable with the target sounds.

Review activity - Your number participates

1. Divide students into groups of no more than 6. Students in each group will get a number from 1-6 (if there's less than 6 students, give each student two numbers, or make the last number/s to be "all"). Give one slate (or large piece of paper) to each group.

2. Have a transparency with sentences ready (this can be used to review any topic - vocab or grammar). Show each sentence/ question one at a time, after rolling the die.

3. Roll a die. If, for example, it rolls to 3, only the "number 3"students from each group can write the answer on the slate/ paper. Their group members can help, but cannot write on the slate.

4. The group which shows their written answer first, wins a point (it can be measured in points, or the group can get candy, or whatever.

Possible idea: If there's an odd number of students, get one to be your "referee", a neutral person who decides which group presented the answer first, as it's hard to be doing all that leading at one time. Students themselves can take turns rolling the die, or your referee can do it.

VARIATION:

Have the transparency, and one transparency marker at hand. When the die gets rolled, the students with that number can (once they've decided on the answer) rush to write the answer on the transparency. There will be fun scrambles when students try to grab the marker first. (Of course, this can only be done with respectful students!)

I found this activity in an e-book called "Best ESL Practices". Unfortunately I can't find the reference right now, but as soon as I do, I will give full credit to the authors.