ADVANCED BEGINNER ENGLISH INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH ADVANCED ENGLISH CONVERSATION STARTERS two sets of 100 English conversation starters @ $2.75 each in the bundle Files are non-editable in a zipped format. The resource is copyright, all rights reserved. It may not be copied, rewritten, amended, shared or distributed outside your own classroom in any way. The license for purchase is a single-user license only. Please read the Terms of Use. Set 1 English Conversation starters features 100 starters in question format, suitable for advanced beginner English to intermediate English students. Set 2 English Conversation starters also features 100 starters in question format, suitable for intermediate English to advanced English students. Speaking is a language skill that learners tend to find very challenging, regardless of level, and increased engagement with language that requires them to both reproduce accurately language they are already familiar with, and to be creative with that language in order to produce new language is integral to successful language learning. In Set 1, the questions focus largely on the present tense, with some examples of the present perfect tense. I include tenses we may not have formally covered, as the activity is not solely about practicing language, but also about actively learning it. I encourage students to look for cues and clues in the questions themselves, and this certainly enables them to engage with new or unknown language successfully, and to progress in their learning. In Set 2, the questions feature a range of tenses and moods, such as the present tense, present subjunctive, perfect, imperfect, and conditional perfect. There are several questions focusing on if + subjunctive + conditional clauses. There is a significant amount of implicit input on a range of grammatical concepts, particularly the use of tenses. I try to include as broad a range of language as I can in the questions, regardless of student learning level, as the activity is not solely about practicing language, but also about actively learning it. I encourage students to look for cues and clues in the questions themselves, and this certainly enables them to engage with new or unknown language successfully, and to progress in their learning, which is just as important for more advanced learners. Questions formats are varied, to ensure maximum opportunity to work with the different ways to ask questions in English. Some questions seek to elicit very similar information, but are asked in different language: this avoids learners simply parroting learned responses to fixed prompts. Each card has an image: some of these are specific visual prompts to help students infer meaning; some are more generic images. I do use images as much as possible with this kind of activity, not only to provide the prompt, but also to add to the visual appeal of it, which is a real motivator for learning. I remind students that it is not necessary to tell the truth - the purpose is to create and produce accurate and realistic language. Students can prepare their responses in as much detail as possible on the accompanying planning sheet, remembering that these are conversation starters, so that once they have responded, they should then say something to continue the conversation going. Frequent and regular engagement with the activity brings the best results: with the planning sheet, students can create and prepare increasingly detailed and more complex responses, reflecting their learning progress. I definitely find it useful to read through the questions together as a whole-group, with students offering initial suggested responses. This ensures everyone can actually access the language, and they also benefit a lot from each others’ ideas. As a whole-group activity, distribute the cards amongst your students, one or several. Ideally, they should walk around the classroom, asking questions, and swapping cards. For pair or small-group work, students can work in a designated area. This really helps them focus closely on the language, and helps learners who are slightly less confident working with a larger group. The cards work particularly well as ice-breakers at the beginning of the school year. They’re also great as both entrance and exit tickets, and also for five-minute refreshers, which I use quite frequently during the school year. In the preparation phase, having access to bilingual dictionaries and / or the internet, this can be really helpful. These tools can help them prepare detailed responses to questions in ways that do not necessarily always focus on their own life and experiences. The starters in Set 1 broadly address the following themes: personal information family & routines at home hobbies & free time likes & dislikes local environment food & drink school & studies sport & healthy living countries & languages weather & seasons The starters in Set 2 broadly address the following themes: music, film & television literature & culture personal life, information & preferences leisure & free time health & well-being history & society recent & current events travel, tourism & holidays technology & social media likes & dislikes local environment environmental & social issues education & studies Try this freebie to see if this kind of activity would work well for your students: 10 ENGLISH CONVERSATION STARTERS FREEBIE FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH LEARNERS https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/english-conversation-starters-freebie-12925205 Have a browse in my store for more English independent learning activities, and a wide range of other English teaching and learning materials, with English dollar deals, special offer bundles, and lots of freebies - I’ve included a couple here for you to try. THANKS AND ENJOY YOUR ENGLISH LESSONS!

EFL ESL ENGLISH CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCHES WITH ANSWER KEYS, GRID TEMPLATES & CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY LIST TWO SETS OF WORD SEARCHES @ $2.00 EACH IN THE BUNDLE The mini-bundle is non-editable in a zipped format. It is copyright, all rights reserved. It may not be copied, rewritten, shared or distributed in any way outside your own classroom. The license for purchase is a single-user license only. Please read Terms of Use carefully. English Christmas Word Searches #1 The set features ten differentiated word searches, focusing on high-frequency English Christmas vocabulary, with each consecutive grid increasing in challenge. There are 48 Christmas words featured, and there’s a full vocab list in the pack - I encourage learners to note down the equivalent in their first language - learners don’t have to learn all the words in English, though over time, they will definitely become familiar with them. The words focus on UK-based Christmas vocabulary, with vocab such as Boxing Day and Christmas crackers - it’s a great way of stimulating discussion about cultural, religious and national traditions and practices. There are some religious words in the searches, such as Nativity and Three Kings/Wise Men. The searches offer a really useful learning opportunity - consolidating not only new words and vocabulary, but also working on reading, writing, spelling and English Language skills in general. Learners are able to identify which direction words are located in within the grid by referring to the arrow key. There are also four question and answer key grid templates for learners to create their own searches for each other — this is a really popular activity, and I’ve found that my learners often like to create grids for family at home too. The templates enable learners to apply their language practically and creatively, which is really important at this stage of language development. answer keys There is a single grid per 8.5 x 11 (A4) sheet, portrait format - I like to ensure that text is accessible to all learners - and at this stage of their learning, it’s absolutely essential that language looks accessible and manageable. English Christmas Word Searches #2 This set features five differentiated word searches, focusing on English Christmas words, with each consecutive grid increasing in challenge. The searches offer a really useful multi-skill language learning opportunity - working on reading, writing, spelling, common high-frequency vocabulary and language skills in general. Learners are able to identify which direction words are located in within the grid by referring to the arrow key. For additional consolidation, they also rewrite each word in the word column. There are also five question and answer key grid templates for learners to create their own searches for each other — this is a really popular activity, and I’ve found that my learners often like to create grids for family at home too. The templates enable learners to apply their language practically and creatively, which is really important at this stage of language development. I encourage my learners to include other Christmas words that aren’t included in the grids. We also discuss Christmas traditions and practices in our home and other countries, and this gives an additional opportunity to add words and phrases they can use in their own word searches. The word searches are in landscape format, mirroring the direction of reading and writing in English from left to right, facilitating learner engagement with the activity. There is a single grid per 8.5 x 11 (A4) sheet. Have a browse in my store for more English Language Christmas activities, and a wide range of other ESL EFL teaching and learning resources, with special offer bundles and lots of freebies. THANKS AND HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

ADVANCED BEGINNER FRENCH INTERMEDIATE FRENCH ADVANCED FRENCH CONVERSATION STARTERS two sets of 100 French conversation starters @ $3.25 each in the bundle Set 1 French Conversation starters features 100 starters in question format, suitable for advanced beginner French to intermediate French students. Set 2 French Conversation starters also features 100 starters in question format, suitable for intermediate French to advanced French students. Speaking is a language skill that learners tend to find very challenging, regardless of level, and increased engagement with language that requires them to both reproduce accurately language they are already familiar with, and to be creative with that language in order to produce new language is integral to successful language learning. In Set 1, the questions focus largely on the present tense, with some examples of the present perfect tense. I include tenses we may not have formally covered, as the activity is not solely about practising language, but also about actively learning it. I encourage students to look for cues and clues in the questions themselves, and this certainly enables them to engage with new or unknown language successfully, and to progress in their learning. In Set 2, the questions feature a range of tenses and moods, such as the present tense, present subjunctive, perfect, imperfect, and conditional perfect. There are several questions focusing on si + imperfect + conditional clauses, and a significant amount of implicit input on a range of grammatical concepts, such as agreement with preceding direct object, use of the subjunctive and so on. I try to include as broad a range of language as I can in the questions, regardless of student learning level, to facilitate learner progress. I encourage students to look for cues and clues in the questions themselves, and this certainly enables them to engage with new or unknown language successfully, and to progress in their learning, which is just as important for more advanced learners. Questions formats are varied, to ensure maximum opportunity to work with the different ways to ask questions in French. Some questions seek to elicit very similar information, but are asked in different language: this avoids learners simply parroting learned responses to fixed prompts. Each card has an image: some of these are specific visual prompts to help students infer meaning; some are more generic images. I do use images as much as possible with this kind of activity, not only to provide the prompt, but also to add to the visual appeal of it, which is a real motivator for learning. I remind students that it is not necessary to tell the truth - the purpose is to create and produce accurate and realistic language. Students can prepare their responses in as much detail as possible on the accompanying planning sheet, remembering that these are conversation starters, so that once they have responded, they should then say something to continue the conversation going. Frequent and regular engagement with the activity brings the best results: with the planning sheet, students can create and prepare increasingly detailed and more complex responses, reflecting their learning progress. I definitely find it useful to read through the questions together as a whole-group, with students offering initial suggested responses. This ensures everyone can actually access the language, and they also benefit a lot from each others’ ideas. As a whole-group activity, distribute the cards amongst your students, one or several. Ideally, they should walk around the classroom, asking questions, and swapping cards. For pair or small-group work, students can work in a designated area. This really helps them focus closely on the language, and helps learners who are slightly less confident working with a larger group. The cards work particularly well as ice-breakers at the beginning of the school year. They’re also great as both entrance and exit tickets, and also for five-minute refreshers, which I use quite frequently during the school year. In the preparation phase, having access to bilingual dictionaries and / or the internet, this can be really helpful. These tools can help them prepare detailed responses to questions in ways that do not necessarily always focus on their own life and experiences. The starters in Set 1 broadly address the following themes: personal information family & routines at home hobbies & free time likes & dislikes local environment food & drink school & studies sport & healthy living countries & languages weather & seasons The starters in Set 2 broadly address the following themes: music, film & television literature & culture personal life, information & preferences leisure & free time health & well-being history & society recent & current events travel, tourism & holidays technology & social media likes & dislikes local environment environmental & social issues education & studies Try this freebie to see if this kind of activity would work well for your students: 10 FRENCH CONVERSATION STARTERS FREEBIE https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/french-conversation-starters-freebie-12903491 Have a browse in my store for more French independent learning activities, and a wide range of other French teaching and learning materials, with French resource boxes, special offer bundles, and lots of freebies - I’ve included a couple here for you to try. Files are non-editable in a zipped format. The resource is copyright, all rights reserved. It may not be copied, rewritten, amended, shared or distributed outside your own classroom in any way. The license for purchase is a single-user license only. Please read the Terms of Use. MERCI BEAUCOUP ET BON APPRENTISSAGE !