Topic: Transportation
Mode: Interpersonal
Level: Novice
Students will play a game of “taboo” to practice speaking and to develop vocabulary knowledge.
Components of this activity: Set of word cards for each group, time keeping device(s)
Instructions to the teacher
Taboo is a vocabulary review game in which players must describe the meaning of the word or phrase without using the word.
In advance, write/type each word on a small piece of paper, fold it up, and put them in a container. Each group needs their own set of words. This game is best played in groups of four: Two students (A and B) play against the other two students (C and D). Groups of six would also work.
Students should use their mobile phones to set a timer for 1 minute. (Adjust this time as necessary if it’s too easy for your class.) Student A draws a word and tries to describe it to student B. If the card is guessed correctly, the pair keeps the card, if not, the card goes to the bottom of the pile. The object of the game is to describe as many words as possible within one minute. The pair with the most cards at the end wins.
Instructions to students
Get into groups of four. You and another person will be a team playing against the other pair in your group. One person in the pair draws a word card. It is that person’s job to get his/her partner to guess the word on the card by describing the meaning of the word. You may NOT use gestures and you may NOT say the word or any similar word. You have one minute to get your partner to guess the word. If he/she does not guess, put the card at the bottom of the pile. If they do guess, keep the card.
| Flight attendant Bus stop Schedule Ticket Pilot Captain Driver Directions Map Route Line Fare | Book Reservation Motorbike Bicycle Taxi Bus Train Subway Plane Ship Delay/to be delayed On time/to be on time | Early/to be early Departure/to depart Arrival/to arrive Passport Platform Gate Station Conductor Ticket agent Ticket machine Tip |