Young language learners between 9 and 12 years old

Working with kids between these ages could be easier as now they see the world differently by recognising the difference between real facts and fiction. They become a little independent, and start showing interest by asking more questions. 

Learners between nine and twelve years old are already competent users of the language. 

Activities

1. Air words

This activity is very easy, useful and funny for children that already know the alphabet and they can read and write. The teacher writes a list of some recently learnt vocabulary. Working in pairs, students sit opposite each other and spell out their words in the air with their fingers. Students have to say the words that their partner spells. 

2. Realia race 

Vocabulary: Adjectives and classroom objects

Grammar: This/ these/ those/ that

Everybody stand in the middle of the classroom. The teacher is going to say some adjectives. The first person to call out something in the classroom described by that adjective gets a point. 

- Students have to call out the object and then repeat "This is a ... it is ...."

- The kid with most points at the end is the winner. 

SOME USEFUL ADJECTIVES: 

blue, bright, big, warm, new, old, soft, long, tiny, yellow, thin, round, small...

3. Simon says

Vocabulary: Any kind 

Grammar: Action verbs/commands

These is a very popular and known game, usually use to implement TPR in your classes. You can practice many topics with it. 

The teacher (or a student) will play as Simon. The students must listen carefully to the teacher and they have to do as Simon says only by hearing "Simon says..." at the beginning of the sentence, if Simon does not say his name, students will not do anything. 

EXAMPLE: 

- You can practice the parts of the body [feet, ears, eyes, head, legs, toes, fingers, knees, teeth, nose, lips, hands, stomach, shoulder, thong]

- Use different verbs to notice who is not paying attention (you must explain the verbs before starting the activity) For example: MOVE your hands. STAND UP. SIT DOWN. TOUCH your ears. JUMP on your right foot. 

NOTE: If you notice that one of your students is not participating, you can ask them to play as Simon. 

4. Cooking race 

Vocabulary: Food

Grammar: Simple present

- Students will compete in groups (In our case five people per group)

- On the board the teacher writes ten requirements for a shopping list: 

[Something salty, something sweet, a kind of meat or fish, a green vegetable, a round fruit, a dairy product, hot drink, junk food, something healthy, your favorite food]

- Each group has to write a ten-item shopping list complying with the requirements that the teacher wrote. 

- They will have 2 minutes to write the list. 

- Ask your students what they like or do not like.

5. My relatives

Vocabulary: Members of the family 

Grammar: Possessive with 's, present progressive 

- In pairs, students tell each other the names of your relatives. Example: My mother's name is Susan. 

[father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, cousin]

- Students tell each other what they think their relatives are doing at this moment. Example: My mother is working.

- Students have to draw one of the actions that their partner described and then explain it in front of the class. Example: She is John's mother, her name is Susan. She is working. 

6. Picture board

Vocabulary: Any kind

Work in two teams. Students have to take turns to come to the board. The teacher is going to give their students a job (for example) [Write them on a piece of paper or whisper it]. Each student have sixty seconds to draw pictures to help their team guess the job. They must not write any letters or words.

[doctor, policeman, teacher, chef, soldier, vet, secretary, firefighter, artist]

7. Practicing colors

In pairs, students will write a list of things that are the color the teacher says. Example: WHITE - snow, paper, clouds... 

- The teacher will give them thirty second before he/she says another color. 

- Each team will get a point for each thing that the other teams didn't put. The team with more points is the winner.