Evaluating Teaching Activity

Choose the icebreaker below , and evaluate it taking into account points 1 to 4 below. You are required to elaborate on these points and answer them in paragraph format. Word count: 500-600 1. What is/are the aim/s of the activity? Is there a linguistic** the component as well as the purpose of getting to know the students? For example, a. assessing/reviewing a grammar topic; if so, mention the grammar topic/s; b. assessing knowledge of vocabulary; if so, mention the type of vocabulary. c. assessing S’s speaking, listening, reading and/or writing skills; if so, identify which skills are being assessed. 2. Do you think this activity would be suitable for young learners, teens and/or adults? Why? Why not? Elaborate on your answer. 3. What do you like about it? Why do you think it will be a good activity for the first day? Elaborate on your answer. 4. What problems might you encounter with this activity? How would you solve them? ** Linguistic aims focus on the specific areas of the language: grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, discourse, and language skills. Icebreakers are simple activities that teachers use on the first day for varied reasons. They are motivational tools that can build rapport, and stimulate participation.  They are also used to assess students’ level, interests and language needs, and are excellent activities to get students warmed up and ready for the rest of the lesson. Following are a few ideas. Everyone’s a Liar (Suitable for low intermediate and above) The teacher writes three statements on the board. Two statements are true, and one is a lie. Example: I have been teaching for 10 years. I have a new pet called ‘Isaac Newton’. I lived in Switzerland for a year. Students ask ‘lie detector’ questions to get further information, in order to determine which statement is false. For example: Teaching – Where have you taught? What have you taught? What year did you start? Pet – How old is Isaac Newton? What does Isaac eat? Where do you keep Isaac? Switzerland – Where did you live in Switzerland? What language was spoken in that part of Switzerland? Students vote on which statement is a lie. Reveal which are truths and which are lies.