I often get asked about my favorite structured language practice activities for ESL students. There are so many great activities out there, it’s always hard to narrow down the list! That’s why I’ve decided to share some of my all-time favorite ones that have worked well with my classes. These are tried and true methods that help students practice speaking and using the language in a fun, interactive way.
Here are some of the ESL structured language practice activities that I think are perfect for elementary-level ESL learners. Some of these may sound familiar to you, while others might be new ideas to try. I hope these activities will inspire you and give you some great tools to use in your classroom. Feel free to share some of your own favorite activities, too!
Here are a variety of ESL Structured Language Practices to get started:
A/B Partners
This is a great way to get students talking with different partners and practicing language prompts.
1. Give each student a card with an “A” or “B” on it.
2. Tell students with “A” to find someone with a “B” (and vice versa).
3. Student A asks a question or uses a language prompt, while Student B responds with a full sentence.
4. After they finish, have students switch their cards with each other and find new partners.
5. Keep the practice going as long as you need!
Switch It
An activity that works best after introducing a new grammar point. It gets students writing and speaking with different partners.
1. After teaching a new grammar structure, ask students to write a short response to a prompt or question using the new grammar.
2. Students pair up and take turns reading their responses out loud.
3. After reading, they switch papers with their partners and find a new partner to continue practicing.
4. The activity keeps going until you call time.
Echo Writing
1. Here is an activity to help students practice writing and speaking language patterns using the grammar and vocabulary you’ve taught.
2. Students work in pairs. Partner A creates a sentence using the grammar and vocabulary you’ve focused on.
3. Partner B repeats the sentence.
4. Both students write the sentence down.
5. Partner B now creates a sentence using the same grammar and vocabulary.
6. Both students write the new sentence.
7. Students switch partners and continue practicing.
The activity goes on until you signal to stop.
Appointments!
This is a fun way to keep students moving and practicing language with different partners.
1. Have students make four “appointments” with different classmates for time slots like 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00, and have them write it on a paper clock for reference.
2. When you call out a time, like “Meet with your 3:00 appointment!”, students find their partner for that time and practice the language patterns you’ve taught.
3. Have students make four “appointments” with different classmates for time slots like 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 9:00, and have them write it on a paper clock for reference.
4. When you call out a time, like “Meet with your 3:00 appointment!”, students find their partner for that time and practice the language patterns you’ve taught.
These activities are simple, flexible, and engaging for students. They provide plenty of opportunities for speaking, listening, and using new grammar structures.
Happy teaching!
Lori
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