Your students can recognize and say the the words on various vocabulary topics. They can do the same with adjectives and verb forms in a variety of tenses.
But, the challenge is finding opportunities for students to use these language elements in context that moves beyond simply saying them as individual words. We need to support our students as they level up their proficiency and strive to create language beyond novice level.
That’s where this activity comes in.
Starting Point (Point de Départ / Punto de Partida) is a partner speaking activity that is quickly and easily adaptable to any proficiency level. If your students are at the novice level (words and phrases), then they can add one or two additional words.
If they are at a higher proficiency level they can create discreet or connected sentences with connecting words, adjectives, adverbs and other vocabulary to form more complex sentences. For the activities with verb forms there are question words along with each subject/verb pair to guide students in creating sentences.
Your students will be speaking non-stop in French or Spanish without even realizing it, because the object of the activity (aka game) is what they are really focused on.
You’re probably wondering how it works, so here you go…
- This activity is done in pairs. Each player needs a pencil or pen that is a different color.
- The goal of the activity is to score the most points by filling in the most boxes.
- Player 1 begins by connecting any 2 dots. Before connecting the dots the player identifies the picture or prompt or says the verb forms on either side of the line.
- Depending on the proficiency level of the class, the players can also be prompted to use the vocabulary words or adjective/verb forms to create more complex phrases and sentences.
- If the player is not able to complete the prompt the turn passes and a line is not drawn.
- When a player draws a line to make a complete box around a picture, prompt or subject/verb pair the player fills in the box and records a point on the top of the board.
- Once all boxes are filled in the player with the most boxes wins.
So, your students know the vocabulary and adjective/verb forms, but you would like them to use these language elements in context to create sentences. Problem solved with Starting Point (Point de Départ / Punto de Partida)….and no prep for the teacher at all.