Most of us have played games at some point in our lives, whether it’s video games or board games. With so many different types of games available, it’s a versatile topic that’s suitable for people of all ages. Even C1 Cambridge prep students can benefit from discussing games, as it’s an easy way to learn how to compare and contrast different types of games. Let’s explore this topic further and discover the fun and educational aspects of playing games.
During my class, I got inspired to create a lesson plan on a topic that one of my students loves. She is preparing for the CAE exam, and although she is great in all the other sections, she struggles with Speaking Part 2. I decided to help by showing her how to compare and contrast pictures. This idea came up when we were discussing her hobbies, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to use this topic to help my student with her exam.
If your students need help with Speaking Part 2 phrases, you can download the presentation and worksheet with the teacher’s notes below to discuss while playing games.
To start the class, present a list of games that includes everything from board games to classic children’s games. Some of the games may be unfamiliar to the students, so take a moment to explain each one. After the students have correctly guessed the topic of the class, ask them to sort the games into three categories: children, teenagers, and adults. Keep in mind that some games may fit into multiple categories. Discuss the reasons behind the categorization with the students. Wrap up the introduction to the class by discussing the students’ own gaming preferences and highlighting any similarities between the games mentioned in the previous task.
Continue by presenting a sample answer for Part 2 of the speaking test. Ask the students to quickly read the text and predict the two card games mentioned (Poker and Cards Against Humanity). Read the text again and highlight any words or phrases used to draw comparisons and differences between the two games. Although this part of the class is not focused on answering the questions, it will demonstrate to the students how they can talk about the two pictures simultaneously.
To enhance my students’ vocabulary, I visited KSE Academy, a website that provides valuable information on Cambridge exams. I recommend reading CAE Speaking Part 2 to learn more about teaching Speaking Part 2. Go over a list of phrases and classify them into two categories: comparison and contrast. I advised you to keep this sheet handy as it’ll be used frequently throughout the course.
Encourage students to practice quick thinking by comparing and contrasting pictures. Introduce two popular board games (Chess and Monopoly) and have students work in pairs to identify similarities and differences between the two games. The comparisons can be based on anything, such as the appearance, rules, number of players, objectives, etc. Students can take turns sharing their findings using the phrases learned in the lesson. For students who may need more support, consider providing a few minutes to prepare notes after the initial discussion.
By this point, students should feel confident about the task’s structure. The only thing left is to think quickly and speak on the spot. Display two pictures depicting children’s games (Hide and Seek and Twister) and have the students work in pairs to discuss the pictures for about a minute. Monitor the activity and provide appropriate feedback at the end. You could also ask them to reflect on the task and evaluate what they did well and what could be improved.
The following activity is designed to simulate the CAE Speaking Part 2 exam. Read the interlocutor’s part that the CAE candidates will hear during the exam. The task is to compare and contrast two pictures while answering the questions given. Remember that the questions are there to guide them and so they don’t need to think of any other similarities and differences. Put one minute on the clock and answer the following questions: Why might the people play these games? How often do you think they play them?
Remind the students that during the exam, each individual candidate will receive a separate set of pictures and an additional question. Therefore, as a way to conclude the class, you can ask the students about their favourite game among (RPG) card games, video games, or children’s games like tug-of-war. You can end the class by providing feedback and some general advice on how to perform well in this section of the exam.
Are you looking for an exciting and engaging way to get your students involved in their learning? With this fun, interactive presentation and accompanying worksheet, your students can learn while having a great time. Click on the links below to access these valuable resources.
Are you a gamer? What games did you use to play when you were younger? What games do you like to play now?
