72 Great Speaking & Listening
Activities for your ESL / EFL Students
131 pages of photocopiable ESL / EFL worksheets in a handy ebook
Hi! My name is Chris Elvin. I'm a university lecturer and a high school teacher in Japan, and I have been living and working here since 1988. In the 17 years that I have been working as an English as a foreign language teacher, I have built up several hundred personally made interesting and stimulating teaching materials.
For a limited period of time, I am offering 72 of my best activities for a knock down price of just $19.95. That's a whopping 61% off the regular price that I sell the hard copy version for here in Japan, and 21% off the price I have sold the ebook on eBay for.
"Lots of good ideas. Looking forward to using some. Was as described. A+++"
eBay customer blondeincharge
"Thanks VERY MUCH! AWESOME file too!"
eBay customer jacncpool
The best way to explain my offer, perhaps, is to answer some questions that you may have, so here goes!
Who are you?
- I'm not so well known outside Japan perhaps, but I am a regular presenter on the Japan circuit. I have a Masters degree from Temple University, Japan. I was program chair of the materials writers special interest group of the Japan Association of Language Teaching for a couple of years, and editor of the high school teachers' SIG newsletter for a similar period of time. My web site, EFL club dot com attracts over 10,000 individual clients per month, and my textbook Now You're Talking has been selling in Japan for nearly a decade, now, and is soon to be published in Thailand.
- I'm also honest and trusting, and have a 100% feedback rating on eBay where I occasionally sell my ebook.
What kinds of activities are in the book?
- Everything is either speaking* or listening*. Most activities, perhaps 70% are speaking. There are some class speaking activities and group speaking activities, but the majority is pair work. The listening activities are primarily class listening, with the teacher reading from a script.
* I categorize pair work as a speaking activity, even though it can also be viewed as listening. Conversely, many listening activities, such as class quizzes, can also be viewed as speaking. Basically, all activities involve some form of communication.
Can you list some of the activities?
Level 6
- Agreeing and disagreeing (social issues) - pair work - speaking
- Feelings - pair work - speaking
- Multiple intelligences - pair work - speaking
- Our opinions - group work - speaking
- Time (cultural relativity) - class work - speaking
- What will life be like in 2020? - pair work - speaking
- World cultures international party - class work - speaking
- World Flags - pair work - speaking
Level 5
- Are you emotionally smart? - class work - listening
- Emotions - pair work - speaking
- General knowledge quiz - class work - listening
- Guy Fawkes Day - class work - listening
- Halloween - class work - listening
- Japan and America - pair work / class work - speaking
- My home an hobbies - class role play game
- Science numbers - pair work - speaking
- Science quiz - class work - listening
- What is your future career? - pair work - speaking
- Why are you angry? - class work role-play
- FIFA world cup countries - class work role-play
Level 4
- 100 words - pair work - speaking
- Arnold Schwarzenegger - class work - listening
- Christmas holiday - class work - listening crossword
- Have you ever flown? - pair work - speaking
- How often is there a presidential election? - class quiz
- What did she major in? - pair work - speaking
- What do they do? - pair work - speaking
- Who am I talking about? - class work - listening
Level 3
- About you - pair work - speaking
- Bonfire night - class work - listening
- Describe and draw - pair work - speaking
- Find someone 1 - class work speaking role-play
- Find someone 2 - class work speaking
- Halloween - class work - listening
- Number practice - pair work - speaking
- Preferences - pair work - speaking
- Spring vacation - pair work - speaking
- Time bingo - class work - listening
- What am I thinking of? - pair work - speaking
- Which country? - pair work speaking crossword
- Which do you like better? - pair work - speaking
- Which country is it? - class work - listening
- Who's who? - pair work - speaking
- Will you master English? - pair work - speaking
- Christmas crossword - class work - listening
Level 2
- Christmas crossword - class work - listening
- Happy families - class role-play - speaking
- How often do you? - pair work - speaking
- Is she? - class tag response activity - speaking
- It's an animal crossword - pair work - speaking
- Let's go shopping - pair work - speaking
- Movie stars - pair work - speaking
- My friends call me Sue - class work - speaking
- Nice to meet you - pair work - speaking
- Same as me - pair work - speaking
- Time bingo - class work - listening
- What time do you have breakfast? - pair work - speaking
- Whose are these? - group work - speaking
Level 1
- Are you writing? - pair mime guessing game - speaking
- Are you happy? - pair work - speaking
- Bingo - class work - listening
- Can you? Do you? - group work - speaking
- Can you skate? - group work - speaking
- Do you have a pet? - pair work speaking
- Do you like baseball? - class work - speaking
- Do you like ice cream? - pair work speaking
- Do you play the piano? - pair work - speaking
- TPR (total physical response) for beginners - class work - listening
- When's your birthday? - class work - speaking
- Who cooks the dinner? - pair work - speaking
- Who is in the art club? - pair work - speaking
Does it come with a teacher's manual?
- No, it doesn't, but it doesn't need one. When I arrived in Japan way back in the late eighties, I was fresh off the boat and couldn't speak a word of the language. We had no resources, so I had to write them. At first, I wasn't able to explain my activities to my students very well at their level in my L1, so I decided to write really easy ready-to-use teaching materials that didn't require much explanation. I have kept faithful with this philosophy as a materials writer ever since.
Do I need to be an experienced teacher to use these worksheets?
- Not at all! As I say above, I had to develop a style that cut down on wasteful teacher talk, and get the students started early. Most of the worksheets have some basic rubrics for the students to read, but usually they don't need them. You may have to explain how you want them to do pair work for the first time, perhaps, but after that all you really need to do is briefly explain the activity, hand out the prints, and then let them get on with it while you circulate and monitor their progress. For the listening activities, you may need to read a script or ask quiz questions, for example, but nothing is rocket science!
Is it possible to see a sample file beforehand?
- All the files in my ebook can be downloaded for free, one by one, from my web site http://eflclub.com. If you try some of my resources and like them, please consider buying my ebook. This will encourage me to write more great free worksheets!
How do your worksheets compare with your textbook?
- They are a little difficult to compare. My worksheets are all great stand-alone activities, but work best as supplementary materials for regular course work.
- My textbook was first published just one year after I got my Masters in 1994. Most of my worksheets were made after my book was published, so in many instances, I think that they are superior to my textbook.
How can I get a hold of your textbook?
- If you live in Japan, just contact my publisher, EFL press, and ask for a sample copy. You may also order a copy directly by clicking on this link; Now You're Talking.
Can I use these worksheets with university students?
- Everything from level 3 and above works fine for any age, and some of level 1 and 2 does, too.
You teach EFL, right? How appropriate are these materials for ESL.
- I really can't foresee a problem. I don't think that there is much difference between teaching immigrants (ESL) and teaching abroad (EFL) anyway. If you are based in America, then my Japan & America worksheet, rather than being a window on America, could be used as a useful insight into Japan perhaps!
Do you recycle some units for other levels?
- No, I don't. Some of the titles may appear similar and share the same idea as other worksheets, but I can assure you that they are very different.
What class size are they for?
- I have used them in private lessons and in my regular fifty students a class lessons.
Is it in American English?
- Yes, it is. In Japan, we teach American English, regardless of our own nationality, so I write for that audience.
How big are the pages?
- They are A4, but you can easily re-size to any size for viewing on the screen or for printing.
Are there any mistakes?
- I don't think so. I have used these materials many times before, and I am always trying to improve them. If you happen to find a mistake, please contact me straight away and I will send you a copy of the re-edited version within 48 hours.
Do your worksheets contain graphics?
- Yes, some do, to add a little spice, but most don't. I used Corel Gallery and Microsoft clip-art in some worksheets, and a small but allowable amount of copyright photos in others.
Can I copy and paste the worksheets into my other documents?
- Yes, you can. I have saved and locked my file so that you can't alter it in any way, but you can still copy and paste the text and graphics into other programs. Copyright guidelines usually consider up to about 10% as fair use. I will allow you as much as you like if it is for teaching purposes only.
Can I print it?
- Yes, you can. I have saved the document so that you can print high resolution to any printer.
Is it likely to go out of date?
- No, I don't think so. In class we often focus on topical themes, but for this collection, I deliberately chose generic materials that would not go out of date quickly. However, some materials will naturally be replaced over time, as I am always changing things. If you would like to have the latest version of my ebook, just email me and I will send you a new copy.
THAT'S RIGHT! - FREE UPDATES FOREVER!
How long did it take you to write the materials?
- About 17 years! Since I arrived in Japan, I have always written my own supplementary material. Not all of them went well - some were disasters, and many needed to be re-edited or thrown out. The worksheets I am offering have all been thoroughly planned, are pedagogically sound, interesting, motivating, and have been piloted and refined several times over.
Why is your ebook so expensive?
- You are buying a photocopiable textbook that I am allowing you to use for yourself and all of your students for life! It has taken me the best part of two decades learning my craft as a teacher and materials writer. I think they are worth considerably more than the offer price of $19.95. In fact, I know I would have willingly paid about four or five times as much for it twenty years ago when I was just starting out as a teacher. Besides, 28 cents a copy for lifetime usage with free updates is pretty cheap, don't you think?
How can I pay?
- You can pay using most credit cards on Paypal's secure and encrypted server. Paypal is the Internet standard for online payments. PayPal is a global leader in online payment solutions with 64 million account members worldwide. For more information, click here.
How big is the file?
- It is about 2.3 megabytes. It should take less than a minute to download if you have broadband.
I don't have a very fast Internet connection. Is there any way I can receive the file?
- I can burn you a CD and send it by regular mail, but I will have to add an extra $5 to cover the shipping cost.
What happens if I lose the file?
- Just let me know, and I'll send you a new one. Also, if you are a traveling teacher, just email me once you reach your destination, and I will send you your file.
How soon can I receive it?
- Normally, I will be able to send you it within 48 hours of payment.
I don't want an ebook. Can you send me a hard copy through the post?
- That would be no problem, but I will have to add an extra $8 to cover the shipping cost.
- It is a book in digital format that you can download to your computer and read using a software program. Depending on the specific format, the eBook can be read on a computer, PDA, or dedicated reader device with the proper software.
Do I need any special software to read it?
- Yes. If you don't already have it, you will need Acrobat Reader, which you can download for free from Adobe.com.
What advantages do eBooks have?
- Aside from the obvious economic and environmental reasons, ebooks are less bulky, for sure, they never get dirty or old, and navigation is easier than paper books for most people. In my book, for example, you can click on a chapter title or worksheet title within a chapter to take you straight to where you want to go. The text is searchable, too, which can save a lot of time, and if you have the right software, you can even listen to it.
Can't I just download your resources for free from your web site anyway?
- Yes you can download my free resources one by one, but you will not be entitled to free advice about my resources, free updates, file recovery when you lose the file or when you travel, nor will you be in possession of a very easy to use ebook.
Do you offer a refund?
- You wouldn't be protected as a consumer if I didn't offer a refund.
I OFFER 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
- If you buy my book and discover it really wasn't what you were looking for, just put it in the trash, empty the trash and email me asking for a refund. I will repay you usually within 48 hours of your request.
Are you crazy?
- I hope not. If my offer gets abused, I may have to reconsider, but at this moment, I don't believe I will have to.
Can I resell the book?
- No you can't. I'm not that crazy! It is for personal use only. I still retain the copyright for all the materials in the book. This is one reason why my ebook is not anything like as cheap as the other resell books that circulate on the Internet.
Do you offer a discount?
- It is already discounted at 61% off. I have sold hard copies of this for over $50 dollars here in Japan. If I were forced to discount further, I would not be able to offer a lifetime of free updates, or file recovery, nor would I feel like responding to emails!
Do you have any special bonuses?
- If you are happy to pay the full price of $19.95, I can promise to send you an update of the file any time you want for as long as you want.
YES! - A LIFETIME OF FREE UPDATES!
How can I find out more about you?
- If you visit my web site, EFL Club, and click on my name at the bottom of the welcome page, you can read my resume and my online papers. You can also email me via a link on that page.
Would you buy the book for yourself?
- Absolutely! If there was one thing I needed when I arrived in Japan nearly twenty years ago, it was good materials to get my classes rolling. I would willingly have paid four or five times more than the price I am offering you for my materials on eBay.
Well, that's about all I can think of at the moment. If you have any further questions, please get in touch and I will add your question to the list. If you want to buy 72 Great Speaking and Listening Activities for ESL / EFL Students, I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. Please also remember that if, by any chance, you are not happy with my ebook for any reason, I offer a full refund minus my eBay listing fee and Papal charge.
I OFFER 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - NO QUESTIONS ASKED!
Finally, if you buy and like my ebook, please tell your friends, or keep in touch with me, either by email or via my website.
Good luck and kind regards!
Chris Elvin