A positive way to start a lesson and keep pupils on their toes is to run frequent role-play competitions.

These can sometimes be done with teams and sometimes for individuals on such topics as: Best accent today Best unpredictable response Funniest unpredictable response Longest unpredictable response Fastest response Most exciting vocabulary used in a conversation.

If sweets are not a suitable reward in your school, try contacting parents of pupils who perform well in such competitions.

They love to receive a call with your praise. You can also keep a running PowerPoint showing the names of pupils who win each lesson

Sara Sullivan is head of languages at Woodlands School in Basildon, Essex