Engaging Ideas for Teaching English Basics to Level 1 Beginners

Personal Information Portfolio

Have students create a personal information portfolio. They can include:

  • Their name, age, nationality, and hobbies.

  • Teach them how to format this information using both cardinal and ordinal numbers (e.g., "I am 20 years old," and "My birthday is on the 3rd of May").

  • Encourage them to decorate their portfolio and present it to the class, allowing them to practice speaking while using visual aids.
    This helps students practice personal introductions using the vocabulary and grammar structures they have learned.

Number Games with Flashcards

Create a fun flashcard game using numbers, both cardinal and ordinal. Have students:

  • Design their own flashcards with numbers 1-20 for cardinal and 1st-20th for ordinal numbers.

  • Use these cards in pairs or small groups to quiz each other, or play matching games.
    Students can also incorporate numbers related to their personal interests (e.g., favorite sports players' jersey numbers), making the activity more relevant to them.

Pronunciation Practice with Tongue Twisters

Introduce tongue twisters that include the sounds of "s," "z," and "iz." Examples include:

  • "She sells sea shells by the sea shore, and zebras zigzag in the zoo."

  • Break the class into small groups and have them practice saying the tongue twisters, first slowly and then faster.

  • Record their readings and play them back to improve their pronunciation, adding a fun element of competition.
    This reinforces pronunciation practice while allowing them to enjoy language play.

Interactive Quiz on English Basics

Organize an interactive quiz session using digital tools like Kahoot or Quizlet where students can:

  • Answer questions related to the verb to be, personal information, and the pronunciation of the letter "s."

  • Encourage friendly competition and teamwork by letting students work in pairs or teams.

  • Incorporate questions based on personal interests to keep engagement high.
    This makes learning more dynamic and enjoyable while reinforcing the lesson content.