Talk-A-Tivities: Problem Solving and Puzzles for Pairs

From galaxy grids to strip stories, these completely reproducible activities place English language learners in the pilot's seat of communication! You'll "fly" through an irresistible, classic collection of picture differences, imaginative Picture That! drawings, cooperative crosswords, airline scheduling tasks, and many other challenging items of interest. Shop at the ESL Supermarket for a feast of vocabulary acquisition; stroll through Times Square while adding angles to your mapping methods; piece together a story in which the tea bag gets"pieced apart"; complete crosswords by literally "crossing" words with your partner; and role-play a robber en route, but be ready to describe your route to the cops! All activities develop speaking and listening skills through the transmission of information from person to person. Specific language functions include asking for clarification, describing details and locations, discussing alternatives, giving directions, making appointments, interpreting diagrams and maps, and understanding grids. The emphasized vocabulary covers direction words, letter names, numbers, occupations, times and dates, clothing, foods, and household objects. Each activity includes directions for the teacher and an answer key.