Purpose: to improve fluency

Info: This activity works well in classes of any size. Students are largely responsible for managing their conversations, so the teacher may simply monitor and offer assistance/advice when needed.

Step One: The teacher places students into pairs and distributes five flashcards to each pair. The cards should be picture side down.

Step Two: Student A draws a card and asks a question to his partner based on that card. The pair must generate a discussion for as long as possible. Follow-up questions are a necessity, so students shouldn't simply ask, answer, and move on to the next card. For example:

    Student A: What did you eat for breakfast?
    Student: B: I ate cereal for breakfast.
    Student A: Do you like cereal?
    Student B: Yes, I do. I eat it every morning. What did you eat for breakfast?

Step Three: When the conversation reaches a lull and/or the pair gets stuck, student B draws a card. Again, based on the flashcard, he asks a question to begin the conversation.

Step Four: Students continue through their decks. After five minutes (easy) or ten minutes (difficult), the teacher should say, "Stop!"  Each pair counts the number of cards drawn, which serves as a good indicator of how long they maintained each conversation. The teacher should write the following guidelines on the board as a measure for students:

    One card drawn: You can definitely continue a conversation well. Excellent!
    Two cards drawn: Very good. Next time try to use only one card.
    Three cards drawn: Not bad. Not bad at all.
    Four cards drawn: You didn't use all the cards. Next time try to use only three.
    Five cards drawn: Think about how to continue one of the conversations and practice.