List of Language Activities for Learners and Teachers

SIMPLE LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
FOR TEACHERS AND LEARNERS

ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS, WE PRINT

    Read a newspaper in the target language to practice the language and keep up with events.

AS THE WORLD TURNS

    Watch a movie to practice understanding the target language and to get more exposure to the culture of the language.

BRAINSTORM

    Brainstorm with other language learners some possible topics for writing in the new language.

BREAK-DOWN

    Break down into parts any long words and expressions in the new language that you find overwhelming.

CANNED TALK

    Learn some common canned routines by heart in the new language, so you can rattle them off easily when you need them in social conversation.

CHECK-UP

    Check yourself to see the kinds of errors you make in the new language, and then try to figure out why.

COLORS

    If you use a notebook, color code your notebook, so you can find things easily.

CUISINE

    Read and follow recipes in the target language.

FRAIDY CAT

    Make positive statements to yourself in order to feel more confident and be more willing to take risks in using the new language.

GOOD OLD SHERLOCK

    While reading the new language, constantly look for cues to the meaning.

HELP!

    When you can't seem to find the word to say in the new language, ask for help from somebody else.

HOW AM I DOING?

    Ask someone else for feedback on whether you have understood, said, or written something correctly in the new language.

KEEP QUIET

   Try to just listen and understand the new language for a while because your speaking skills aren't so hot yet.

LOOKING AHEAD

    Use preview questions or other ways to look ahead at the new target language reading material so that you can orient yourself.

MIND IMAGES

    When learning a list of words in the new language create a picture in your head of the words and the relationships among them.

MOUTHING

    When trying to learn the sounds of the new language, pay attention to how a native speaker shapes his/her mouth when talking; then you do the same while looking at a mirror.

MUSIC TIME

    Listen to song lyrics in the target language, and try to sing a long and learn the words.

NITPICKING

    While reading or listening to the target language, look for specific new words, forms, or pieces of information.

PEERS WITHOUT FEARS

    Stop competing with your fellow students, and learn to work together in learning the new language.

PHYSICAL TRAINING

    In class, follow commands of your teacher, such as "STAND UP", " GO TO THE BOARD", " PICK UP THE BOOK", "WRITE YOUR NAME."

SECRETS

    Keep a journal of your language learning progress, and write down the new words and expressions.

T-TIME

    Take down notes of what you hear and read in the new language by drawing a big T on the paper, writing the key idea or title at the top of the T, then listing details in the left column and examples in the right column.