Communicative fluency activities

Messages

Language - expressing one's opinions, making conjectures, saying something

is right/wrong

Other - fun

Level Intermediate

Organisation Pairs

Preparation As many pieces of paper with messages on as there are students

Time 15-20 minutes

Procedure Step 1: Each student takes a message which he is not allowed to show to anybody else in the class. Then the students find a partner.

Step 2: All the students stand around the walls of the classroom making sure that their partner is as far away as possible. The first student in each pair mimes his message to his partner. That is, half of the class are miming, while the other half are watching. The observing partners write down the message as they interpret it. Then the second students in each pair mime their messages.

Step 3: Everyone sits down with his partner and tells him what he thought the message was. Then the original messages are read out.

Possible messages I'd like to go to the cinema with you. Meet me at my house at 7 p.m.

Can I borrow your record player? Mine is broken.

I am having a party on Saturday. Can you come?

Could we do our homework together this afternoon?

I am going to go shopping tomorrow to get a new bicycle. Do you want to come?

Please do some shopping for me. Get four pounds of apples, two bottles of lemonade and some toilet paper.

I found a red purse on the floor. It has £2.50 in it. Is it yours?

Go to the library and get a book on cats.

Your trousers have split.

There is a big white stain on your pullover. It's right under your left arm.

Enjoy yourself jokes and riddles

1. Q: Why is "U" the happiest letter?

2. Q: What word of only three syllables contains 26 letters?

3. Q: What relatives are dependent on "you"?

4. Q: What is the end of everything?

5. Q: What has many keys but can't open any doors?

6. Q: What has 6 eyes but can't see?

7. Q: Who earns money driving their customers away?

JOKES

1. Man: I could go to the end of the world for you. Woman: Yes, but would you stay there?

2. Man: I offer you myself. Woman: I am sorry I never accept cheap gifts.

3. Man: I want to share everything with you. Woman: Let's start from your bank ac­count.

4. Teacher: Why are you late? Student: There was a man who lost a hundred dollar bill. Teacher: That's nice. Were you helping him look for it? Student: No. I was standing on it.

5. Customer: Excuse me, but I saw your thumb in my soup when you were carrying it. Waitress: Oh, that's okay. The soup isn't hot.

6. The real estate agent says, "I have a good, cheap apartment for you." The man re­plies, "By the week or by the month?" The agent answers, "By the garbage dump.."

7. Bank Teller: How do you like the money? English Student: I like it very much.

8. "Why do you take baths in milk?" "I can't find a cow tall enough for a shower."

9. Customer in a restaurant: I would like to have a plate of rice and a piece of fried chicken and a cup of coffee. Waitress : Is it enough Sir? Customer : What? Do you think I can't buy more?

10. "You look very funny wearing that belt." "I would look even funnier if I didn't wear it."

11. "I was born in California." "Which part?" "All of me."

12. Three mice are being chased by a cat. The mice were cornered when one of the mice turned around and barked, "Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!" The surprised cat ran away scared. Later when the mice told their mother what happened, she smiled and said, "You see, it pays to be bilingual!"