Teachers create multiple sets of of index cards in pairs with one set containing vocabulary words and another set containing the definitions for the words. Students are asked to pair up. One student picks the index cards with the vocabulary words and the other student gets the set of index cards with the definitions. A timer is started and one student in each pair is asked to hold up the first word while the other is asked to find and hold up the definition for the word. The first pair to get a matching word and definition wins.
The teacher stands at the front of class with two completely different objects and asks the students to write down a description of each of the objects. The students then have five minutes to write how they are different or similar to each other.
The teacher picks one student and asks her to instruct another student to pick up any object in the classroom without looking directly at that object. The other student has to follow the first student's instructions successfully. This provides the first student with the opportunity to use her communication skills by providing precise verbal directions. The second student develops his listening skills as he goes through the process of following directions. As students progress in learning the language, student pairs can be asked to give and follow a more complex sequence of directions.
The teacher asks a student to read a paragraph out loud. The teacher then asks other students about the paragraph structure, the vocabulary and their interpretation of the meaning of a specific sentence. This is designed to set off a classroom discussion about the text.