Speaking Pairwork 3: Think of a real story in your life and 4 words connected with it

Click here for ‘The Basic Method for Speaking Pairwork’

Tell the students you want them to think of real stories in their lives and write 4 words connected with each one. Do an example from your own life on the board first e.g. write: 
21/Pyramids/Paul/horses

Get students to ask questions like
‘Did you go to the Pyramids?’
‘Who is Paul?’
‘Why did you write ‘horses’?’

If the students have trouble give them the question beginnings; write on the board
‘Who is _____?’
‘What is_____?’
‘Why is _____ important?’

Answer the questions- tell them the whole story- e.g. that you went to the Pyramids when you were 21 with your friend Paul and you rode horses there etc.

Then tell them to write 3 x 4 words each- to convey the gist of 3 stories from their own lives. They then work in pairs, showing their words to other students, who ask questions. Tell them they should discuss only one story with one person and make that conversation last at least 3 minutes by asking lots of follow-up questions (e.g. why were you in Egypt? How long did you stay there? How did you get there?)

When the students have prepared their words and just before the actual speaking stage begins, do an example with one of the brightest students in the class where she tells you her 4 words and you ask her many questions to demonstrate how the conversation can go on and on.