Make It and Take It
EXPLORING THE INTERNET
FOR CONVERSATION IDEAS
Activity One
TITLE: Conversation Cards
LEVEL: High Beginning - Advanced
TIME: Teacher preparation - 30 minutes depending on computer proficiency. In class, 20 -45 minutes depending on students' abilities - more advanced students will want more time to talk.
FOCUS: To encourage conversation
OBJECTIVES: To speak and convey ideas so others can understand
To listen actively

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT:

Teacher access to a computer with word processing, Internet access, and a printer. Card stock, scissors
DIRECTIONS FOR CREATING
CONVERSATION CARDS: 		Access websites providing conversation topics-
http://www.eslpartyland.com/teachers/nov/conv.htm
http://iteslj.org/questions/
Create table for appropriate size cards (8-16 cards)
Copy and paste selected questions into the table - modify questions so appropriate for students' level.
Print, copy on card stock, and cut. Make enough sets for the number of groups of students you will have.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF CARDS: Before starting the conversation activity, review the questions with the students to help clarify understanding and meaning of vocabulary. Put students in groups of 3-4 mixing nationalities if possible. Put a group of conversation cards face down among the students. Direct the students to take turns asking each other questions. One student takes a card and asks the person on his right the question. The student asking the question may not show the card to anyone - it is important for the student speaking to make the others in the group understand. After the question has been answered, the person asking the question may ask one follow-up question. To encourage active listening, another member of the group should restate the response(s). Allow 20 to 45 minutes for this activity depending on your students' abilities. At the end of the activity, ask students to report on their findings to the class.

 
The Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center
Available online: http://www.vcu.edu/aelweb
1.800.237.0178
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