An Interactive Speaking Activity for B1-Level Teens 

Asking For & Giving Information

Objective:
The objective of this speaking activity is to provide teens at the B1 level with an opportunity to practice asking for and giving information in English, using various topics of interest.
(Since our high school classrooms have learners often ranging from A2-B2 levels for English speaking, this activity is suitable for classes VIII-XII)

 Instructions:

• YES/NO questions (questions that you can answer with yes or no) -- rising intonation at the end of the question. (Are you ready?)
• QUESTION TAGS
  1. When not expecting an answer- falling intonation. (Great weather, isn’t it?)
  2. When a real question - rising intonation. (They can’t come on Friday , can they?)

• QUESTION WORD questions ( What , How , Where...) -- falling intonation at the end  OR OPEN-ENDED question (questions that have longer answers instead of saying yes or no) -- falling intonation at the end. (How did you manage to hurt yourself?)
• CHOICES offered in a question -- rising on the first and additional choice and falling on the last choice. (You could paint this in red , orange or yellow.)

6. When asked, the other student(s) will respond with relevant information, using complete sentences.
7.  Giving a demonstration will make things clear for the students.
8.  Encourage students to ask follow-up questions and engage in a conversation about the topic.
9. After a set amount of time, have the pairs or groups switch roles so that each student has an opportunity to ask and give information.
10. Monitor by going around the classroom while the activity is in progress. Take notes and share collective feedback towards the end.

                                                                       TOPIC CARD EXAMPLES:
1. Favourite Books: Ask your partner / group members about their favourite books.
 Find out-
-- why they like them
-- if they have any recommendations

2. Travel Destinations: Ask your partner about their dream travel destinations. Inquire about-
-- the reasons behind
--their choices any specific attractions they are interested in

3. Hobbies: Ask your partner about their hobbies.
 Find out-
-- how they got interested in them
-- what they enjoy the most about them

4. Future Plans: Ask your partner about their plans for the future.
 Inquire about-
-- their career aspirations, academic goals etc.
 --any other plans they have

5. Movies and TV Shows: Ask your partner about their favourite movies or TV shows.
Find out-
-- what they like about them
-- if they have any recommendations
 
6. Cultural Traditions: Ask your partner about their cultural traditions.
 Inquire about-
-- celebrations, customs, or practices that are important to them
-- their favourite and ask for the reason

7.  Sports: Ask your partner about their favorite sports.
 Find out-
 --if they play any sports themselves
 --what they enjoy about them / (if they don’t play , enquire what they would , if they had to)

 8. Music: Ask your partner about their favourite music genres or bands.
 Inquire about-
 --their favorite songs or concerts they have attended
 --their preference - live or recorded music and reason

Note:
1. You can modify or add more topic cards based on the interests of your students or the context of your classroom.
2. For convenience, copy these topic cards on a word doc, take 1-2 copies of print- outs. Cut slips of each topic card and distribute to groups or pairs (Decide as per you class size). It helps to tell the students not to write on these card/ slips as you would use them in another class/ section. [I usually laminate my resources before use!]
3. Each group / pair gets a separate sheet of the language prompts .Alternatively, the teacher could showcase these on the Blackboard/ Whiteboard/ Smartboad.

Dear Teachers of English (IX-XII), CBSE
Wish to join the whatsapp group nurtured by motivated English teachers from across the country (IX-X & XI-XII CBSE) , who continue to remain learners ?
Are you keen to partake in the relevant and invaluable discussions about concepts, practices, questions etc.?
Have you waited to embrace an academic group that rejects forwarded posts and celebrates individual perspectives and ideas?
Wish to belong to a growing family that doesn't judge, stands by you, listens, and offers advice when sought ?
You're welcome to connect with me at 9810998209 / www.ruchisengar.ourabode@gmail.com. I 'll call and we'll have a talk.