Workshop 3

A | Synonyms

Time: 15 minutes

Synonyms are different words that have the same meaning. You can make you writing and speaking lively by using synonyms and it broadens your range of vocabulary.

In this exercise the teacher is going to say 10 words. For each word you are going to write down all the synonyms that you already know. You will get 30 seconds for each word.

After these 10 words you will go to mindmeister.com and for each word you are going to put in the synonyms that you have written down.

You will now get a piece of paper and you will create a mindmap on paper. For each word you draw a small circle and write the word in the circle and the synonyms around it. Also add new synonyms from the mindmeister mindmap. The synonyms have to be linked to the circle with a line. Be as creative as you want, but make sure to use different colours for each word.

At the end of this exercise you have broadened your range of vocabulary that you can now use in your writing and speaking.

B | Speaking Prompt Cards – Informal

Time: 10 minutes

This exercise is designed for duos. Person A asks the question, person B answers. Each round takes 2 minutes. After each round you switch roles.

Family

 

Tell each other about your family. How many brothers and sisters do you have? How long have your parents been married? If you have a boy/girl-friend, can you tell something about their family?

 

Examples:

 

I have two brothers and one sister.

My boyfriend’s family is always very nice to me.

My parents are celebrating their 30th anniversary today.

My family is the best!

School

 

Tell the other about school. Do you like it? Do you like the class? Is it a lot of work, or are you able to deal with it? How are the teachers?

 

Examples:

 

I like our study, but I think it’s a lot of work to do.

I don’t like our teacher for English, he/she is always making silly jokes.

I like our class, we get along really well.

Right now

 

Describe what is happening in class or outside of class right now. Each say one thing at a time.

 

Examples:

 

She is wearing very pretty shoes.

A man outside is throwing garbage in a garbage bin.

The teacher is working on his laptop.

That girl is smoking a cigarette.

Hopes and Dreams

 

What are your hopes and dreams for the future? What do you want to do one day? What wishes do you have?

 

Examples:

 

I want to travel around the world one day.

I hope my grandfather gets better. He is feeling sick at the moment.

I am going to set up my own business when I am older.

Favourite celebrity

 

Who is your favourite actor/singer/sports(wo)man? What do you like about this person? What makes him/her so talented?

 

Examples:

 

I love Jim Carrey, because he is always so funny.

Ariana Grande always makes the most beautiful songs.

Tony Hawk is still doing the best tricks in the world, even though he is getting old.

Happiness

 

What makes you happy? What brings you new energy? What are some of your favourite activities?

 

Examples:

 

I get happy when I walk outside with my dog.

Going out with friends always makes me happy. We’re always having fun.

Most of the time I watch films or series. I’m married to Netflix.

Social media

 

Do you use Social Media a lot? Which ones do you use (Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat)? What do you like about Social Media and what do you not like?

 

Examples:

 

I use Facebook and SnapChat a lot.

I don’t like all those filters on SnapChat. They make you look so weird.

I think Instagram is great because of the beautiful pictures some people post.

C | Speaking prompt cards - Formal

Time: 10 minutes

This exercise is designed for duos. Person A asks the question, person B answers. Each round takes 2 minutes. After each round you switch roles.

Job interview

Person A - Interviewer

1. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

2. How did you hear about the position?

3. What do you know about the company?

4. Why do you want this job?

5. Why should we hire you?

6. What are your greatest professional strengths?

7. What do you consider to be your weaknesses?

8. What is your greatest professional achievement?

9. Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it.

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Person B – Interviewee

Answer the questions person A asks.

Interview

Examples:

The environment: Global warming, Animal rights

Politics: USA, The Netherlands, Europe

Foreign country you visited

 

Phone conversation – making an appointment

Examples:

Making an appointment, asking for information

Doctor, beauty salon, dentist, hairdresser, job interview.

For example dialogues go to Tools.

D | Standard procedures at a Conference

Time: 15 minutes

1. Introduction


2. Announcing the subject of your presentation


3. Practical points

4. Outline of presentation

 

5. The main part

Introducing your first point        

Rounding of a point

Starting a new point

(Mid) summarising + checking if everyone's still with you

Digressing

-> Don't forget to lead your audience back to the main points!

6. Closure

7. Dealing with questions

E | Plan Conference

Time: 30 minutes    

Divide the class into six groups. This is the group for next week's Conference.

The groups have time to make a plan of action, divide the work and start on their Conference speech.

E | Evaluation

Time: 10 minutes

What did you learn today?

Which words stuck?

Is everything clear as it comes to the Conference?

HOMEWORK

Prepare your Conference meeting.