Borrowing Things in Class

Objective & content

By the end, A1 students can ask to borrow classroom things and respond politely. This resource is a pair speaking activity: two self-contained cut-out role cards — a student who forgot their things (Card A) and a classmate (Card B) — each carrying only the phrases that role needs, plus [S]/[A] variants. Prints 5 sets per A4 page.

Pedagogical guide

Roleplay cards work because each student only sees their own role, so the exchange stays a real information gap. This card set targets classroom functional language (can I borrow…?, have you got…?, polite responses) and pairs naturally with a classroom-objects lesson. Use it once students recognise common school-supply words.

Suggested procedure

1. (2 min) Distribute one Card A and one Card B per pair; model one round with a confident student.
2. (1 min) Set the goal: Card A borrows a pen, a rubber and a book; Card B lends or says sorry.
3. (8–10 min) Pairs run the exchange, then swap roles and repeat.
4. (2 min) Quick whole-class check: did students ask, lend, and thank?

Adaptations

• [S] Ask for one thing only; phrases stay on the card; no timer.
• [A] Cover the "You can say" lines and improvise; use the complication (Card B needs the pen back at the end of the lesson); bonus: swap roles and borrow different things (ruler, pencil, sharpener).

Materials & prerequisites

Print the cards sheet (A4, 5 sets per sheet) and cut into cards; one set per pair. Assumes basic school-supplies vocabulary.

Curriculum alignment

Maps to Cycle 3 "child and close environment" (FR 6e) — everyday classroom interactions.