Conversation Class Lesson Summary

 Language Resident Name: Tatiana Ermolaeva

Day and Date: Wednesday, 09/07/2016

Language and Level (intermediate or advanced class): Russian, Intermediate

Class theme/topics discussed: Directions vocabulary

Goal of the class: to memorize the patterns of giving directions through the game; to make them feel like a team where every one trusts and respects each other

How did you structure the class?

  1. Warm up. Catch the ball. The aim of the game is to tell an embarrassing or secret fact about you when catching a ball. 10 min
  2. Introducing the vocabulary to give directions (направо, налево, вперед, назад)

5 min

  1. Trust Walk Teambuilding activity.

There’s a labyrinth on the floor made of the blue tape. The class is divided into pairs. One person doesn’t see anything; the other person has to guide him/her to come to the finish line. Then they change their roles. If they step on the tape, they have to start over again.

35 min

  1. Discussion of the activity:

– What was it like to be the guide?

– What do you think was the purpose of this activity?

– Did you have any difficulty trusting your partner while blindfolded? Why or why not?

– Why is it important to trust your teammates?

– How did it feel when you successfully completed the task?

– Was it hard to work as a team? Why or why not?

10 min

What technology, media or props did you use? (internet resources, playmobiles, handouts, etc.)

Blue tape, whiteboard, a ball

What worked well in this class? What did not work?

I can tell now already that it’s one of the best lessons in this class. I had to modify it a little bit as the number of people was not even so 2 people were giving directions in turns and 1 person was following them. They changed their roles when someone moved too far and stepped on the blue tape. The game was vey exciting and challenging for them.

Advice: don’t forget about a back up activity in case the game will over faster (if the students are good at giving directions in Russian).

How could this class be improved/ modified? 

If you have a more detailed lesson plan, please attach it below (OK to use target language for that).  Please attach any handouts as well.

An example of the Trust Walk for activity 3:

picture1