Conversations
Conversations
Lesson Plan: Using Conversation in the Classroom (CEFR A2 Level)
Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to engage in conversations in the classroom using appropriate language and communication strategies at the CEFR A2 level.
Time: 60 minutes
Materials:
Whiteboard or blackboard
Markers or chalk
Flashcards with conversation starters
Dialogue handouts
Conversation task worksheets
Procedure:
Warm-up (5 minutes):
Begin the lesson by engaging students in a simple warm-up activity to activate their conversational skills. For example, play a quick "Find Someone Who" game where students have to talk to their classmates to find someone who has certain characteristics or experiences.
Introduction to Conversation Skills (10 minutes):
Write "Conversation Skills" on the board and ask students to brainstorm different aspects of effective conversations.
Facilitate a class discussion, guiding students to share their ideas about active listening, turn-taking, asking questions, and showing interest in the conversation.
Summarize the key points and highlight the importance of using these skills to have meaningful conversations.
Vocabulary and Expressions (15 minutes):
Introduce useful vocabulary and expressions that students can use during conversations, such as greetings, introductions, asking for clarification, expressing opinions, agreeing, disagreeing, and giving reasons.
Write the vocabulary and expressions on the board, provide definitions and examples, and encourage students to practice saying them aloud.
Dialogue Practice (15 minutes):
Distribute dialogue handouts or create a dialogue on the board.
Model a conversation using the dialogue, focusing on the target vocabulary and expressions.
Have students practice the dialogue in pairs or small groups, taking turns playing each role.
Monitor their conversations and provide feedback on pronunciation, fluency, and correct usage of vocabulary and expressions.
Conversation Starters (10 minutes):
Use flashcards with conversation starters or create a list of conversation prompts on the board.
You can find a list of great conversation starters below this lesson plan
Model how to use a conversation starter and encourage students to do the same.
Have students work in pairs or small groups to ask and answer questions based on the conversation starters.
Walk around the classroom, monitoring their conversations and offering assistance if needed.
Conversation Task (10 minutes):
Provide students with conversation task worksheets that include a topic or a scenario.
You can find lots of conversation worksheets on different topics at this link https://www.englishclub.com/esl-worksheets/conversation/
In pairs or small groups, ask students to engage in a conversation related to the given topic or scenario.
Encourage them to use the vocabulary, expressions, and conversation skills they have learned throughout the lesson.
Monitor their conversations and provide feedback on their performance.
Wrap-up and Reflection (5 minutes):
Summarize the main points covered in the lesson, emphasizing the importance of using conversation skills to enhance communication in various contexts.
Ask students to reflect on their progress, highlighting the areas they feel more confident in and the areas they still need to improve.
Provide opportunities for students to ask questions or seek clarification on any doubts they may have.
Extension Activities:
Assign students to interview each other and then present a summary of their partner's responses to the class.
Have students create their own conversation starters and use them in a group discussion.
Assign a role-play task where students have to act out a conversation in a specific situation, such as ordering food in a restaurant or asking for directions.
Note: The timing provided for each activity is approximate and may vary based on class dynamics and student proficiency.
Conversation Starters for Teens
What makes you feel good about yourself?
How do you deal with stress?
What is the best conversation topic for the middle of the night?
If you were a candy bar, what candy bar would you be?
What’s the dumbest miscommunication you’ve ever had with a friend?
Is there something you enjoy that I don’t know about?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Do you plan to prioritize a career or family when you grow up? Do you think it’s possible to balance both?
Do you have anyone you’re crushing on right now?
What country do you think has the best government?
What do you think we should be doing to care for the planet?
What do you think would help decrease homelessness?
What program or club do you wish your school had more money for?
Would you ever date someone with different religious beliefs than you? Why or why not?
Do you think it’s ok to have secrets in relationships?
Would you ever be vegan? Vegetarian?
What makes you happy?
What bands are you listening to lately? Can we listen to your favorite song? What do you like about this song?
What’s your favorite show right now? Who do you identify with in the show? Do you have a crush on any of the characters?
What teacher do you like best this year? What do you like about them and their teaching style?
How would you describe your style? Do you feel like other teens are accepting of your class or critical?
Which subject do you think would be the most fun to teach?
What is everybody talking about right now?
Describe your perfect day.
What makes a good friend? Do you feel like you have any friends like that?
What’s your favorite part of the day?
Is there anything you are looking forward to right now?
What do you dream of doing when you’re older? Is there anything you can do now to help you accomplish that goal?
What’s an accomplishment that you are proud of?
What’s something you wish you knew?
What language would you like to learn? Why?
Is there anything about you that you wish could change? What makes you feel that way?
What’s your opinion about banning books? Do you think censorship is ever a good idea? Is there a book you’re curious about you don’t think I would want you to read? What interests you about it?
Are there parts of your body that you like or dislike?
Do you ever feel jealous of any of your friends? What makes you feel jealous?
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
What are you worried or stressed about right now?
What political party will you join when you can vote? Why? Is there anything you disagree with in the political party even though you’d vote for them?
Do the ends ever justify the means?
What makes a person successful?
What would make the world a better place?
What do you think should be changed about the education system?
What do you think is most important when it comes to dating?
What have you learned about yourself in the last year?
What do you feel like other people judge you for?
Are there topics your school doesn’t teach you about that you should know?
Do you have trouble falling asleep?
What do you need right now that you don’t have?
Do you feel you have too much to handle, or are you managing your time well?
Do you like to have time alone or prefer to be surrounded by friends?
What do you like to do when you’re alone?
What would you make that world look like if you were the leader of a post-apocalyptic world?
Which is the best book genre? Dystopian, fantasy, chick lit, or family and relationships?
What was the worst part of your day today?
What have you learned in school that a teacher didn’t teach you?
If you could time travel, what time would you choose? Why? What would you do while you were there?
What’s something unique about you?
Are there any new skills you’d like to learn?
If you could do whatever you wanted, what would that be?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What’s the funniest thing that happened this week?
What’s your favorite comfort food?
What makes you feel anxious?
What app should I get on my phone that I don’t have yet?
Who is your celebrity crush?
What movie can you quote all the lines from? What do you love most about that movie?
Which do you prefer, texting or phone calls? Is there anyone you make an exception for?
Who is your favorite YouTuber? What do you like about them?
Would you rather wear grandpa’s clothes the rest of the year or dress like Lady Gaga for a month?
Would you rather have 10 kids or no kids?
Would you rather be asked to dance with someone you don’t like or be turned down by someone you do like?
Would you rather date someone very quiet or very loud?
Who makes you laugh?
What makes you laugh?
What book should they make into a movie?
What movie or song does everyone love but you don’t like?
What’s your favorite TikTok trend?
What would your ultimate vacation look like?
If you could paint your room any color, what would you choose? Why?
What’s the best dream you’ve ever had?
How many pets will you have when you get your place?
If you could have an exotic pet, what animal would you choose?
What do you want to do for your next birthday?
Funny Conversation Starters for Teens
What trend do I think is cool, but do you think it’s tacky?
If you could be a walrus or a porcupine for one day, which would you choose, and why?
If you were a pair of shoes, what kind would you be?
What crime would you be arrested for?
If you could communicate with one type of animal, which would you choose?
What is the most annoying word?
Have you ever sent a text message to the wrong person? What did you do?
Tell me your funniest joke.
What’s the strangest thing you’re afraid of?
What’s the weirdest thing you find attractive in a person?
If your crush had food in their teeth, would you tell them?
What animal makes you giggle? Show me pics/videos!
What topic could you talk about for hours?
If you could trade lives with a character in a book, who would you choose?
Do you eat soup or drink soup?
What one food could you eat every day for the rest of your life and never get sick of it?
What is one food you would never want to try?
What is the most disgusting food combo you’ve ever seen someone eat?
What company would you choose to be a brand ambassador for?