All ages

Counting is a simple yet effective way of getting whole-class attention while practising vocabulary. Counting down from five or 10 is one method to get the class quiet but what happens when you get to one and not everyone is paying attention?

Counting up from one to 10 or 15 or even 20 in the target language, until the entire class is participating, is a great way of practising basic numbers while letting the class know that you want everyone’s attention (especially after pairwork activities).

If you get as far as 15 before the entire class has joined in, set a target of reaching only 10 the following time. With more confident linguists, count in twos or threes and practise numeracy skills at the same time. Be sure to practise before the lesson, though

Laura Bradshaw teaches languages and is a professional mentor at Ashton on Mersey School in Cheshire