Would You Rather: Christmas (A2+)

Objective & content

24 numbered "Would you rather ...?" cards about Christmas, to cut out, 12 on each page, some with a small real photo. Each card asks a question ("Would you rather get one big present or ten small presents?") and adds a second line to keep the talk going ("Give two reasons.", "Who would you invite?"). A third page gives useful phrases in large type, for the table: choosing, agreeing, disagreeing nicely and keeping the talk going. Pupils give opinions with reasons and react to each other.

Pedagogical guide

There is no wrong answer, so every pupil can speak: an answer is right if it comes with a reason. The second line on each card takes pupils past a one-word answer. The phrases page gives them the language for a real exchange ("I'd rather ... because ...", "I see what you mean, but ..."). The cards work as a warm-up, at the end of a lesson, or for a few minutes before the holidays, and groups can play again with new cards another day. There is no answer key.

Suggested procedure

Before the lesson, print and cut out one set of cards per group.

1. (2 min) Make groups of 3 or 4. Put a set of cards face down and the phrases page on each table.
2. (3 min) Play one card with a volunteer in front of the class: choose, give a reason, ask "What about you?".
3. (10 to 15 min) Pupils take turns: take a card, read it aloud, choose and give a reason. The others say if they agree or not, and why.
4. (2 min) Ask each group for its funniest answer.

Adaptations

[S] Give each group fewer cards, and let pupils read a phrase from the phrases page before they answer.

[A] The others must disagree on purpose, so the speaker has to defend the choice.

Materials & prerequisites

One set of cards per group (pages 1 and 2, cut along the dashed lines) and one phrases page per group, in colour or in black and white. Scissors, before the lesson.