Hobbies And Interests
Introductions
Getting students familiar with each other at the beginning of camp creates a positive atmosphere that helps ease any nervous or anxious feelings. Ask the students to stand in a circle, then ask them a general question such as, "Do you have a pet dog?" Students who answer yes sit down, and another question is asked of the students who remain standing. Continue asking questions until only one student is still standing; he is pronounced the winner. Break the students into smaller groups to repeat playing the game among themselves. A wonderful icebreaker, this game lets students get to know each other and practice their conversational English.
Runaround
Designate three areas on the ground as A, B and C. Ask the students a general English question about grammar, usage, meaning or pronunciation, and assign a possible answer to each of the three designated areas. After asking the question, give the students a few moments to choose which area they believe represents the correct answer and run to that spot. When all of the students have made their decision, announce the correct answer. Students standing in that area continue to the next round; students standing on a wrong answer are eliminated. Continue to ask questions until only one student remains. This game tests the students' knowledge of fundamental English in a fun and competitive way.
Three Part Sentences
Label three containers as "tense," "pronouns" and "positive/negative." In each container place several slips of paper with words that relate to the label. For example, in "tense" place slips with "future," "past" and "present" written on them. In "pronouns" have slips with "I," "you," "he" and "she" written on them, and in "positive/negative" write "positive" or "negative" on slips to determine the tone of the sentence as positive (do, does) or negative (doesn't, don't). Have the students come to the front of the class individually to draw a slip from each box. Call out an infinitive verb to the student, who must then say a sentence for the class using that verb with the tense, pronoun and positive/negative slips they pulled. If the student creates a sentence that correctly uses all three components, she receives 2 points. If the student fails to use all the components correctly, the question goes out to the rest of the students for a chance to steal one point. The student with the most points at the end of the game wins. By requiring all students to write down correct answers as the game is played, this game gives them a chance to practice reciting and writing their English.
Who Am I?
Students receive a card with the name of a famous person on it. Ask the students not to look at their card as the organize themselves into small groups or pairs. A student passes his card around the group so that everyone else knows his identity. The student then asks questions of the group in an attempt to determine his identity. Once the student correctly guesses his identity, another student in the group passes her card around the group, and the game begins again. This game provides students a chance to practice their conversational English with each other in a fun and non-intimidating environment.