Would You Rather: Christmas (A1+)

Objective & content

24 numbered "Would you rather...?" cards about Christmas and winter, 12 cards on each A4 page, to cut out. Each card has a question with two choices ("Would you rather get socks or a book?"), the frame "I'd rather ... because ..." and an extra question to keep the talk going. Most cards have a small photo. Pupils choose, give a reason and react to each other. A how-to-play box is at the top of page 1. 10 to 15 minutes, in groups of 3 or 4.

Pedagogical guide

The question gives pupils the words they need, so even shy pupils can answer with one choice and a short reason. The frame "I'd rather ... because ..." is used here as a fixed phrase, not as a grammar lesson. The extra question on each card turns one answer into a small conversation. Not every pupil celebrates Christmas: the cards are "imagine" questions (snow or the beach, a reindeer or an elf), so everyone can play. There is no answer key: every answer is right if it comes with a reason.

Suggested procedure

1. (2 min) Read one card aloud and answer it yourself as a model: "I'd rather get a book because I love stories." Teach two replies: "Me too!" and "Really? I'd rather ...".
2. (10 min) In groups of 3 or 4, pupils take turns: take a card, read it, choose, give a reason, then ask the extra question on the card.
3. (3 min) Ask two or three pupils to tell the class their favourite card and their answer.

Adaptations

[S] Give each group 6 to 8 cards with photos only. Write the frame and the two replies on the board.

[A] Pupils give two reasons, or one reason and one example. They can also write a new card for another group.

Materials & prerequisites

Two A4 pages per group, cut along the dashed lines (print on card if you want to use them again). Both pages come in colour or in the low-ink version. Pupils should know "because" and simple Christmas and winter words. Use the cards as a warm-up, at the end of a lesson, or with the reading "Christmas in Australia" (card 2 asks about a hot Christmas on the beach).