Activities for improving English listening and speaking skills The activities that suits for upper secondary

level should be called fun games and activities for teenagers. The characteristics of teenagers are energetic, active and trendy. They like to play new, challenging and exciting games. Here are some interesting games for students. All activities will get the students together to become good teamwork while practicing their English skills. It is necessary to have more than two people practicing listening and speaking. They will receive and responding to each other in English. That is an effective way of practicing English communication. It will start with fun grammar and vocabulary games which students will practice how to organize the words and sentences in their mind before speak. Then students will learn how to listen correctly and be a good listener. The last thing is speaking activities that will show many ideas and topic for enjoy talking. 1. Fun grammar and vocabulary games and activities These games are selected from website onestopenglish.com which suitable for classroom activities. Game: Making sentences Find an English magazine or newspaper and cut out about 40 words ensuring you have a balance of parts of speech and stick them onto a sheet of paper in no particular order something like this:

Give out copies of the sheets to students in groups of up to four. Print this set of words. They have seven (depending on level and complexity of task) minutes to create: one sentence with three words, one sentence with four words etc depending on level. Sentences may be like this: 3 words - Radio is free. 4 words - Most parents are happy. 5 words - Cows enjoy politics in April. This game encourages creative use of language and after the sentences are produced, the students could choose one and write a story or newspaper article that this sentence is a title or headline to. Source: http://www.onestopenglish.com/teenagers/skills/games/teenagers-game-8making-sentences/146736.article

Game: Triple pelmanisms The pairs version of this is quite well-known. Students have a number of cards in front of them upside down and they must take turns turning over two. If they get a word that matches the picture they keep the cards. The student with most pairs at the end is the winner. This version is more challenging and I have had classes of teens thoroughly enjoying the challenge.

The version below is based on lexical sets, but you could choose the three parts of the verb (go, went gone, drink, drank, drunk etc). Prepare cards like the ones below: Table Kitchen Peach Mexico Red

Desk Bathroom Orange Spain Green Toilet Banana Australia Pink

Wardrobe

Cut up the cards, ensuring you cannot read the words when the card is upside down. Spread them on the floor upside down and mixed up.

Divide your class into up to five teams. Each team must nominate a secretary who will choose the cards.

One at a time each secretary will ask the teacher to turn over three cards (great for on the right, that one near your foot etc).

The team only wins the cards if the words are all in the same lexical set. Otherwise the teacher turns them over again in exactly the same place as they were.

The teams with most threes at the end is the winner.

Students really focus on the position of the cards and think carefully about meaning of words and how they connect.

Game: Fishing for English English is everywhere these days:

in advertisements menus the media

To raise awareness of this, set the following homework over a weekend perhaps. Ask students to collect any English they find in their environment this could include literally collecting some adverts from magazines that include English or menus from MacDonalds etc or writing down English words or phrases they notice spoken on local television or even words they and their families use that have been integrated into their mother tongue. A lovely display could be put together on the classroom wall with this collection. Source: http://www.onestopenglish.com/teenagers/skills/games/teenagers-game2-fishing-for-english/146730.article Game: A - Z race Vocabulary game 1. Divide the class into two teams each standing in line at the board. 2. Give them a topic like food and drink, sports, countries etc (they must be very large lexical sets). 3. The student at the front on each line runs to the board and must write a word in this lexical set beginning with A on the board. 4. She then hands the chalk or pen to the next person in the row (and runs to the back of the line), who adds a word beginning with B until they reach Z. 5. If they cannot think of a word beginning with a particular letter they can leave a space, but the team with most words at the end is the winner. Example of a board during a game:

2. Listening game Listening is actually the most important skills for communication. So, every learner has to know how to be a good listener. Here are list of things to do to be a competent listener. A competent listener: 1. Uses eye contact appropriately. 2. Is attentive and alert to a speakers verbal and nonverbal behavior. 3. Is patient and does not interrupt, waiting for the speaker to finish. 4. Is responsive, using verbal and nonverbal expressions. 5. Asks questions in a nonthreatening tone. 6. Paraphrases, restates or summarizes what the speaker says. 7. Provides constructive verbal and nonverbal feedback. 8. Is empathic, makes an effort to understand the speaker. 9. Demonstrates interest in the speaker as a person. 10. Demonstrates a caring attitude and is willing to listen.

11. Does not criticize, is nonjudgmental. 12. Is open-minded.

Game: Circle game This game is great for listening. Arrange chairs in the classroom so that everyone is sitting in a circle. Give instructions like:

Everyone who has a sister change seats If you live in a flat or house with an even number change seats If you are wearing brown shoes change seats Everyone with blue eyes change seats

Again instructions can be graded so that even students with little English can play using colours, clothes, family etc. Those who fit the description must stand and change seats, the others remain seated. After a few turns, remove a chair at each instruction, so that one person does not manage to get a seat and they are out they could then give the next instruction. The last student remaining is the winner. Be careful with boisterous classes there may be some overenthusiastic pushing. http://www.onestopenglish.com/teenagers/skills/games/teenagers-game-6circle-game/146734.article\ 3. Speaking Activities People always cannot figured out what sort of thing they are going to talk so here are list of speaking situations, phrases for conversation, talking topic and speaking task for learners to practice. The activities were selected from www.speak-english-today.com. Speaking Situations Speaking Situations - Low Beginning Greetings Introducing yourself

Introducing people Identifying people, things Classroom questions Asking for information Giving information Simple sentences Simple questions Numbers and counting Talking about family Talking about favorite things Talking about here and now Describing People Telling Time Talking about past actions Talking about the future Talking about feelings/health Talking about life events Expressing likes and dislikes Simple shopping Contractions Short questions and answers Closing a conversation Expressing thanks Situation: At the Store Describing a Picture Talking about Occupations

Speaking Situations - High Beginning Introducing others Encouraging words Buying and selling American numbers and prices Making suggestions Making plans for the weekend Asking for favors Asking for repetition Requesting Inviting Offering Talking about abilities

Expressing possibility Talking about locations Asking for directions Giving directions Asking about place/location Talking about travel Descriptions Like / would like / look like / be like Comparing things Questions and expressions with time Count and non-count nouns in context Using measure words Telephone talk Narrating

Phrases for Conversation - Low Intermediate Conversation starters Rejoinders Giving opinions Agreeing/disagreeing Asking for details Asking permission Asking for and Giving Advice Sequencing Speaking hypothetically Discussing Sensitive Topics Accepting and Refusing Expressions for Description Indirect Requests Tag Questions Phrases for Conversation - High Intermediate Supporting opinions Exploring options Contrasting Classifying Discussion techniques Elaborating Clarifying Interrupting Giving instructions

Simple presentations Checking for Understanding Conceding to Make a Point Analyzing Problems

Phrases for Conversation - Advanced Commenting Paraphrasing http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/speaking_situations.html Topics for Conversation Practice The following Topics for Conversation are just a small sample of the over 800 topics from the game, Roll Play, by Dymon Publications. Hypothetical What would you do if you were late for an important appointment? What would you do if someone accused you of a crime you didn't commit? What would you do if you got lost in an unfamiliar city? What would you do if you left something in a locked building? What would you do if your best friend stole something from you? What would you do if you didn't have enough money to pay your bills? What would you do if your children were caught shoplifting? What would you do if your car got a flat tire on the freeway? If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be? If you could change one major historical event, what would it be? Situation Someone asks you a question you do not want to answer. What do you say? You need to borrow some money from a friend. What do you say? You broke your sister's favorite vase. What do you say? You forgot your mother's birthday. What do you say when you see her? You want to buy an item located behind the cashier. What do you say? You arrive late to a meeting because you couldn't get a taxi. What do you say? Your friend ?wiped out? while skiing and looks hurt. What do you say? The man in the seat next to you is smoking. What do you say? Your child is playing with matches. What do you say?

You need more time to finish an exam. What do you say to the teacher? Description Describe a famous park or recreation area in your home country. Describe an interesting neighbor you have had. Describe something you could never give away. Describe a place you will never forget. Describe a sporting event you attended recently. Describe a memorable birthday celebration. Describe a place you go for recreation or exercise. Describe your childhood home. Describe someone you respect deeply. Describe the nightlife in a city you are familiar with. Narration Tell about a recent interview. Tell about a time when you lost something. Tell about one of your fondest childhood memories. Tell about a time when you lied to your parents, boss, or teacher. Tell about a time when you were treated unfairly. Briefly tell about a movie you saw recently. Tell about something you made ?from scratch.? Tell about a ?close call? you had recently. Tell about something you wish had never happened. Tell about a time when you inadvertently caused trouble for someone else. Opinion What is your opinion about cellular phones? What is your opinion about women in the military? What is your opinion about a current politician? What is your opinion about violence on television? What is your opinion about fortune telling? What is your opinion about the tabloids?

What is your opinion about legalizing marijuana? What is your opinion about the welfare system? What is your opinion about cloning? What is your opinion about recycling? Instructions Tell how to find something on the Internet. Tell how to feed family members who drop by unexpectedly. Tell how to dump a boyfriend/girlfriend. Tell how to get from your house to the supermarket. Tell what to do in an earthquake. Tell how to get someone to fall in love with you. Tell how to make a paper airplane. Tell how to get a good table at a restaurant. Tell how to get a discount on an expensive item. Tell how to discipline an unruly child. http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/topics_for_conversation.html Role Play Topics The following Role Play Topics are just a small sample from the game, Roll Play, by Dymon Publications.

A: Invite B to go somewhere this weekend. B: Politely refuse A's invitation. A: Call and tell your boss (B) you can't come to work because of illness. B: You think A is bluffing (not really sick). A: Ask B to teach you to play tennis. B: You hate coaching for free. A: Try to get B to divulge a secret about someone else. B: Don't be persuaded to do it. A: Ask B to give you a ride home. B: A's house is out of the way, and your time is limited. A: Call and tell B you can't come to the party on Friday.

B: Try to get A to come to the party. (It's a surprise party for him/her.) A: Try to get B to smoke marijuana. B: You don't want to use any illegal drug. A: Call to order a pizza. B: Wrong number. You sell pitas, not pizzas. A: Present B with an unsolicited gift. B: You do not feel comfortable accepting the gift. A: Try to get B to go on a date with your niece/nephew. B: You can't stand A's niece/nephew. A: You ran over B's favorite pet with your truck. Apologize to him/her. B: You are very upset with the news. The pet is irreplaceable. A: You lost your wedding ring. Tell your spouse (B). B: Get angry with A for losing the ring. http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/role_play_topics.html Something to talk about 1. An interesting place you have been to recently 2. An interesting person you have met 3. What you would like to do when you get older 4. What you would like to learn in the future 5. A frightening experience you had when you were young 6. A person you like to spend time with 7. An exciting experience you had 8. A favorite pet 9. Something you like to do when you have free time 10. A place you would like to visit in the future 11. A person you would like to meet some day 12. A person who has influenced your life 13. Something you have never done but would like to do 14. Something you have done but never want to do again 15. An experience which made you laugh

16. An experience which made you cry 17. What you would do if you had a million dollars 18. What you would do if you were President of your country 19. A gift you could give others 20. A gift you would like someone to give you 21. A special talent you have http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/something_talk_about.html Speaking Tasks 1. Introduce yourself to a partner Have a short conversation Close the conversation politely 2. Start a conversation with a person you haven't seen for a while Respond appropriately to good news or bad news Ask questions to get more information 3. Ask your partner for advice Listen to advice/suggestions Respond to advice/suggestions 4. Give your partner advice Make suggestions Respond to his/her concerns 5. Give your opinion on a particular course of action Support your opinion 6. Ask yes/no questions Respond to yes/no questions appropriately 7. Make invitations and offers Respond positively or negatively (but politely) 8. Make requests Respond positively or negatively (but politely) 9. Explore the pros and cons of an issue Discuss your opinions in detail 10. Choose the best option for a course of action

Tell why your choice is better than the alternatives http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/speaking_tasks.html Talking Topics List of Topics Beginning

Daily Activities Body and Health Classroom Items Occupations House and Home Clothing Transportation Sports Hobbies Food Pets and Farm Animals Colors Family and Relationships Personal Items

Intermediate

Marriage Anyway Billboards in Space Prison Uniforms Mountain Living Cat Survives Trip Homework Lawsuit Life Expectancy Man on Fire Big Sandwich Yawning Boy Runs Away from Homework Giant Surfboard Lottery Winner Soccer Players

Advanced

India's Undersea City Chinese Language Study Disaster Plans Flying Squirrel Jockeys Injured by Birds Type B Men Shunned Art Education Internet Blogs Marriage and Health Junk Food Ban Global Flyer Returns Chimps Break Out

Want to practice your English by talking with someone about these topics? Check out Speak-English-Today.com. http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/talking_topics_main.html