Lesson Plan: Getting to Know Each Other
Subject
English as a Second Language
Duration
30 minutes
Level
Adult Learners
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Introduce themselves in English.
- Share information about their background, interests, and goals.
- Engage in small talk and initiate conversations with classmates.
Materials Needed
- Name tags
- Whiteboard and markers
- Handout with prompts (e.g., questions about hobbies, professions, dreams)
- Timer
Lesson Outline
1. Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)
- Objective: Create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
- Activity: As participants enter the classroom, hand out name tags. Ask them to write their name and one interesting fact about themselves.
- Instruction: Encourage them to greet each other and start informal conversations while waiting for the lesson to begin.
2. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Objective: Set lesson expectations and introduce the topic.
- Activity: Briefly explain the importance of getting to know each other in a language learning environment.
- Tips for the Instructor:
- Emphasize the value of building connections to enhance language skills.
- Highlight that sharing personal stories can make conversations more engaging.
3. Guided Pair Activity (10 minutes)
- Objective: Practice introductions in a structured environment.
- Activity: Pair participants and provide them with a handout containing questions to ask each other, such as:
- What is your name?
- Where are you from?
- What do you do for a living?
- What are your hobbies?
- Instruction: Give participants 5 minutes in each pair to ask and answer the questions. Remind them to take notes about their partners for later use.
4. Group Sharing (5 minutes)
- Objective: Consolidate learning and practice speaking in front of a group.
- Activity: Invite participants to introduce their partner to the group.
- Instruction: Each participant will share:
- Their partner's name
- One interesting fact they learned about them
- Tip for the Instructor: Encourage supportive feedback and positive reinforcement from the group.
5. Small Group Discussions (5 minutes)
- Objective: Encourage informal conversation among larger groups.
- Activity: Organize participants into small groups (3-4 people) and provide discussion topics such as:
- Favorite places in their hometown.
- Their favorite foods.
- Future travel plans.
- Instruction: Allow groups to discuss for about 4 minutes, with each member taking a turn to speak.
6. Closing Activity (5 minutes)
- Objective: Reflect on the lesson and encourage future conversations.
- Activity: Regroup and ask each participant to share one new thing they learned about someone in the class.
- Instruction: Thank participants for sharing and encourage them to use the questions learned in future conversations.
Assessment
- Informal assessment will take place throughout the lesson through observation of participation and speaking abilities during activities.
- Participants will be encouraged to provide feedback at the end of the lesson about what they enjoyed and found challenging.
Follow-up Activities
Encourage learners to engage in the following activities:
- Find a language partner for practice outside of class.
- Write a short paragraph about someone they met in class, to be shared in the next session.
Conclusion
This lesson plan aims to create a welcoming environment for adult English learners, facilitating initial interactions that set the foundation for effective communication and community building within the classroom.