Welcoming assistants Some examples of activities to help in the class, How to get the students to speak and use their imagination,

Activity: Famous person A student writes a famous name on a piece of paper and pins it on someone’s else back. The student tries to guess what name is pinned on her /his back by asking others around the room yes or no questions. Variation: Use famous places instead of famous people.

Food for thought To get to know students and to help them get to know one another, have each student state his or her name and a favorite food that begins with the same first letter as the name. For example: « My name is Latrece and I like liver » As each student introduces himself or herself, he or she must repeat the names and favorite foods of the students who came before. TRICKY FOR THE LAST ONE

Poems Have each child use the letters in his or her name to create an acrostic poem. For example, Bill could take his name and write Big Intelligent Laughing Loving. Tell students they must include words that tell something about themselves -- for example, something they like to do or a personality or physical trait. Invite students to share their poems with the class. Allow older students to use a dictionary or thesaurus. You might also vary the number of words for each letter, according to the students' grade levels.

Other activities Make a CD of your favorite songs to send it to your foreign correspondent, A video about life in your school Write down a play An audio guide for the visit of the city by your correspondent. Film students in their presentations

Examples of documents you can use TEXTS: magazines, poems IMAGES: adverts paintings, cartoons, comic strips VIDEOS: trailers, music videos GAMES for role plays RECORDINGS: songs, news, weather broadcasts

Getting the students to speak Prepare two sets of cards: one with questions the other with the beginning of the answers. Divide the class into small groups, give each student two question cards and two answer cards: a student starts by asking a question, the student who has the corresponding card answers and must ask the next question. Next possible step: give the students cards with key words

Getting the students to speak Play board games, taboo, Make questions for a game: After showing the students your town, city, state, country they write questions on the landmarks, monuments festivals, Organise debates: « BUY NOTHING DAY » SUNDAY TRADING »

Tasks suited to pupils in « collège »  and vocational high school students Create a tourist brochure for their town or region, Get the students to present their school Help write a CV or a cover letter, Set up mock job interviews Write an article about the tasks and working conditions in a job (summer job, work placement)

Other activities Advertise for a flatmate Advertise for a job Write a postcard Draw a poster Write an article for the school magazine Complete an application form Choose a holiday

More examples Organise a charity day « Red Nose Day. Organise a special week to present your country and its traditions, Make a video or a recording of pupils presenting their favourite singers, sports stars, Make an English newspaper or magazine for the school