Resources for ELICOS teachers

Students learn and practise new vocabulary by performing physical actions (Total Physical Response). You can watch a demo here: Sadlier School on YouTube

Level: Any

Time: 15+ mins

Requirements:

• Definitions of target words on pieces of paper (1 per student)

Instructions:

1. Assign each student in your class a different vocabulary word
2. Have each student quickly learn the definition to their word
3. Have students form one large circle so they are all side by side
4. Start with the first student and have them loudly say their vocabulary word along with a quick motion for the word
5. After the student performs the action while saying the word, have the rest of the students repeat the word and motion together
6. Repeat until every student has given their word and motion
7. Go around the circle one more time for practice
8. That's the prep done! Now, one student does their word+motion, then someone else's. That person must do their own word+motion, then someone else's. Students must remember each other's words and motions as quickly as possible.

Students revise learnt vocabulary by racing to grab words.

Level: Any

Time: 15+ mins

Requirements:

• Target words on cards

Instructions:

1. Attach the vocab cards to a whiteboard, or spread them out over a desk
2. Divide the class into teams
3. The teacher says a word and the chosen student from each team runs to the front and grabs the correct card. Repeat until all cards have been nabbed. The team with the most at the end is the winner.

Variations:

• Indicate words by using synonyms, antonyms, definitions, part of speech, spelling patterns ... you name it!

Students pass a whispered sentence down the line.

Level: Pre-Int+ (CEFR A2)

Time: 5+ mins

Requirements:

• Space for the students to stand/sit in a line without being too close together

Instructions:

1. Have the students stand or sit in a row
2. Person 1 whispers a sentence to person 2, without anyone else hearing
3. Person 2 then needs to whisper the message to person 3 etc until it reaches the end of the line
4. The last person then reveals the message to the class.

Variations:

• Instead of a sentence, the students can spell a word, which can be either whispered, or the letters drawn on the back of the person in front
• You might try limiting the number of times a sentences can be repeated, or introducing a time limit for when the sentence must be finally revealed

Students memorise and recite an ever-increasing shopping list.

Level: Elem+ (CEFR A1)

Time: 5+ mins

Requirements:

Instructions:

1. Have the students stand or sit in a circle
2. Person 1 starts by saying, 'I went to the supermarket and bought some bread.'
3. Person 2 then says, 'I went to the supermarket and bought some bread, and an apple.'
4. Person 3 then says, 'I went to the supermarket and bought some bread, an apple, and some cheese.'
5. Continue around the circle until someone is unable to remember all of the list.

Variations:

• If someone can't remember all of the items, they're 'out' and the game continues until only one person remains