In total there are four pages; the first page is an example, the next two pages are the riddles, then the last page has the answers. I have used this exercise in both my English and German lessons, (you could potentially use it for any target language). Depending on the students level, the exercise can be adapted, so for example my Year 7 had to write the answer in German, whilst my Year 10 and Year 11 had to translate the riddles into German.

This Halloween exercise “Who am I?” has 12 descriptions in English, where the pupils will need to write their answers to each of them. In total there are four pages; the first page is an example; page two and three is the actual exercise, and page four has the answers in English. I have used this exercise in both my English and German lessons, (you could potentially use it for any target language). Depending on the students level, the exercise can be adapted, so for example my Year 7 had to write the answer in German, whilst my Year 10 and Year 11 had to translate the descriptions into German.

I have prepared in total 6 pages (the example page not included); On the first three pages are 8 tongue twisters with their English translation, and the last three pages are with the same 8 tongue twisters but without a translation. Obviously I didn’t use all the sheets as one task; I used them selectively, depending on the skills and ability levels of each class. The tongue twisters with the translations, I used with our Prep School (Classes 3/4/5/and 6). The tongue twisters without the English translations I used for our Senior School (Classes 7/8/9 and 10); so the students also need to translate them. I find tongue twisters are a simple but effective way to improve pronunciation and fluency in a foreign language, whilst also having fun learning them. All my classes (including the weaker and shy pupils/students) were motivated and tried them, and enjoyed them. I use this activity as a ‘end of year’ activity, as well as a ‘starter’ activity when we return to school after the summer.

Berufe zuordnen und Berufe raten (A) The first page is only an example and an overview of the two actual exercises. The exercise “Berufe”(one page) is divided into two sections; on the first half of the page are 14 job professions (male and female version), which need to be matched to the descriptions on the second half of the page. I also use this exercise as a speaking task; where I ask e.g. “Was macht der Schauspieler/die Schauspielerin?”, and the student will need to answer “Er/Sie spielt Theater und dreht Filme.” The exercise “Was bin ich von Beruf” (one page) has 4 job descriptions, where the job profession titles are required for the female and male versions.

Nomen zuordnen Revision on basic vocabulary ‘nouns’ The first page with only 3 lines is just an example, and therefore an overview of the actual exercise page, which contains 18 lines. The three nouns in each line are the clues for the ‘places’(on the bottom of the sheet) where they can be found. I use this exercise as ‘non compulsory’ work which the pupils/students can choose (or not) to do. I also use this exercise as a revision exercise in my additional support sessions. For this, we would first go through the exercise together, and then the students have to use the sheet as a speaking task, in which they take turns to ask (‘Wo findet man…’) and answer.

Quiz about Fasching (three pages) This ia a simple multiple choice quiz, where there is only one possible correct answer to each question. The third page provides the answers.

Fasching wordsearch (one page) I use this sheet for the following 3 tasks: Word Search: searching for the words in the grid. I then let the students use a dictionary to translate the words. Then we decide together which article belongs to each of the nouns.

Numbers (one page) This sheet is divided into two tasks; in the first task, the numbers need to be written down, and in the second task, the numbers need to be written as a word. This exercise could be used as either a quick starter activity for revision on numbers, or as an additional exercise for teaching numbers. Another possible use, is as a little competition between the students; either as individuals or in small groups. For example; setting a time limit (1 minute, etc) in which the goal would be to fill in as many gaps as possible.

Verbs ‘haben’/’sein’ (one page) This sheet is useful for revision on the verbs ‘haben’ and ‘sein’, or as a starter activity.