Tag Archives: PQA

218: 6 Activities for Interaction and Discussion in the Language Classroom


This is the first of 3 episodes in a series on CI Strategies.  There will be an episode on Story Telling and Narrative techniques, one on Reading and Writing procedures and today’s episode on Interaction and Discussion.  In this episode, we look at six comprehensible input strategies that foster real interaction and personalized discussion. From Picture Talk to Calendar, I’ll share detailed examples, differentiation tips, and practical ways to make your classroom a space for meaningful communication, no matter your students’ proficiency level.

Topics in this Episode:

  • Students are technically “participating,” but are then truly communicating? This has led me to rethink how I define interaction in a language classroom and to find activities that center personal connection and comprehensible input.
  • Six activities from my “CI Toolbox” that promote interaction and discussion adaptable for many levels, with built-in support for engagement and growth
    • Picture Talk
    • PQA (Personalized Questions and Answers)
    • Special Person Interviews
    • Card Talk
    • Weekend Chats
    • Calendar Talk
  • Get the PDF with all of the CI Toolbox Activities: 

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