The Four Skills and Video in the ESOL Classroom

The Alphabet Game

Directions:

1. Write a sentence with a blank on the board or newsprint
   (e.g. Video is ______________________ in/to/for ESOL classes.) - It can be changed to fit any subject or group of participants or students.

2. Divide participants in two teams. Each team gets one marker.

3. Place a sheet of paper on the floor listing all the letters of the alphabet for each team. The participants of each team form a line and each member becomes a letter of the alphabet. The first person gets the marker.

4. When the game starts, letter "A" races to write a word beginning with an "A" that completes the sentence correctly. When finished, s/he gives the marker to the next person. When all people on the team have gone and there are still letters left, the "A" person goes again assuming a new identity/letter. If a particular letter is having difficulty coming up with a word, the rest of the team can help. As soon as one team finishes the whole alphabet, the game ends.

5. Post both lists up so that everybody can see them. Read and discuss the sentences and words together. If you are doing this activity with students, give points for good spelling, sentences that make sense, original words, etc. Decide which team wins. It could be the first team to finish, or it could be the team with more points. If you are using this activity with teachers, discuss the sentences as appropriate for the goals of the activity