Character problems and solutions - English conversation games and activities for higher level students

49 ESL Conversation Games & Activities - Jackie Bolen 2020

Character problems and solutions
English conversation games and activities for higher level students

Skills: Speaking/Writing

Time: 10-15 minutes

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Materials Required: Nothing

Reading is generally more of an individual activity than an interactive one. However, it's certainly possible to do some activities related to the reading that are engaging, interactive and require some serious levels of communication between students. Here's just one example of such an activity.

This is a post-reading activity to include in a novel study or to use with a short story. Choose a problem a character faced in the story. Discuss the problem and how the character solved it. Then, have students brainstorm other ways the problem could have been dealt with. This can be a sneaky grammar lesson for modals of regret (could/should/would have done/etc.) without getting too personal with students.

Tips for increasing interaction:

With a small class of only a few students, it's possible to have this discussion with the entire class. But, if more than 5-6 students, I prefer to put students into pairs or groups of three. I strongly encourage/require that students discuss the problem and solutions in English. Then, we come together as a class to discuss what they came up with.

Procedure:

1. Choose a problem a character faced in the story.

2. Discuss the problem in pairs or small groups and how the character solved it.

3. Have students brainstorm other ways the problem could have been dealt with.

4. Students can talk about what they would have done if faced with that same problem.