Several weeks ago I published a post on Conditionals. In the post, I tried to cover all the conditionals in one mind map and I think that I succeeded.
However, the post was unnecessarily complicated for lower level students. Therefore I created a simpler one for lower intermediate students who need to know only the second conditional. Here you can see the result.
Second conditional – mind map
The mind map very simply depicts the form and usage of the second conditional.
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Last week I taught passive and present perfect tense. I thought that I was well prepared but in both cases we encountered one big problem. The students could not form the past participles correctly. So they fought with the past participles and completely ignored the grammar taught.
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So now I know that we have to deal with past participles before we return to the two grammatical points again. That is why I have prepared this post. Here the students can learn and practise the past participles of 40 irregular verbs. It is not a full list but, it is better than nothing. There is a rap to start the lesson, there is a mind map and several games to practise the verbs. I hope you will find these useful too.
Past participles – RAP
Watch and follow the video. You can sing along if you dare.
Past participles – mind map
Here I try to track some regularities in forming the past participles in English. These rules are based on the pronunciation.
- Past participles are not as difficult as they seem.
Past participles – GAMES
In this section of the post you can practise the 40 past participles in different games. First of them is called Fling the Teacher and your task is to choose the correct past participle. If you get all 15 questions correct your teacher will be fired. Good luck.
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The second game is called En Garde. Your task is to choose the correct past participle and then hit your opponent. Kill him sooner than he does the same to you.
The third game has already been presented on our site. It is called Teacher invaders and your task it to kill all the invaders and write the past participles of the verbs displayed. Enjoy.
The word “HOW” is one of the most productive words in English. It helps us create meaningful questions and sentences. The word “HOW” combines with many other words to create these questions.
In this post I try to introduce the basic phrases “How much”, “How many”, “How often”, “How well”, “How long”, “How far” and “How old”.
How in questions – mindmap
Here the students can practise the basic usage of the word HOW in questions. First, they should create their own questions and later they can cover the inner rings and say the correct phrases.
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The way you can create questions with how.
How in questions – games
In the first game your task is to complete the questions with the correct word. Moreover, you should shoot all the invaders and save the Earth 🙂
In the second game you should choose the correct answer and shoot only the BAD ducks. You can try to shoot one of the bottles too and get a bonus.
I hope that by now you know all the basic usages of the word HOW.
I had been using these phrases long before I learnt that they were a grammar item. However, as I have to teach them to my students at school, I have created this short post. There is just a simple graphical presentation of the phrases and two games to practise them.
To practise phrase there is someone doing in a more realistic and communicative way I recommend using some similar picture where students should find the differences. Nice pictures for spotting the difference can be found at Maryglasgowmagazines (you have to pay to be a member though).
There is someone doing – Mind map
This simple chart shows how the phrase There is/are … doing something should be formed.
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The way these phrases are formed.
There is someone doing – games
I think I have not used the Penalty template for some time, so here you can play the penalty shootout. Your task is to answer each question correctly and then score a goal. Good luck.
The second game is called Teacher invaders. Your task is to shoot all the invaders and finish the sentences with the correct for of the verbs in the brackets. Be careful with your spelling.
Past simple or past continuous? – quiz
More grammar games
You can find some more grammar games for elementary students at our site. For example there are games and mind maps to learn the past simple tense of irregular verbs. Or you could try the games on forming Adverbs correctly.
Two days ago we encountered a simple exercise in our textbook. Students’ task was to fill in the missing prepositions. Even though my students are strong lower intermediate students who can understand a lot of English and speak quite fluently, they were not able to use the correct prepositions. Although the students met the adjectives and prepositions many time before, they could not use them. So I have created this post where I will teach the adjectives and prepositions.
This post contains only a few adjectives but I believe it is better if you always use a few adjectives with the correct preposition than if you know a lot of adjectives and use the prepositions wrongly.
Adjectives and prepostions – infographic
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Learn the few adjectives with the right prepositions.
Adjectives and prepostions – games
I have been using games in class for quite a long time, but I never fail to be surprised how easily students learn the correct answers to the questions just because they want to win the game.
The first game is called Teacher Invaders and your task is to shoot all the invaders and complete the sentences with the correct prepositions.
The second game is called On target and your task is to shoot as many bad ducks as you can. You can shoot a bottle too and get a bonus. Give it a try.
On Target game
More posts on prepositions
If you need more practise on prepositions there are two more posts on prepositions at our site. They explain the usage of the prepositions AT, IN, ON for places and time.
You can find the posts at:
https://engames.eu/prepositions-place/
https://engames.eu/prepositions-at-in-on-time/
In this post, I try to explain what countable and uncountable nouns are. When I speak with native speakers of English they often tell me that the concept of countability in English is absolutely natural. “You simply know which noun is countable and which is not.” However, this natural feeling is nearly impossible to teach.
Based on my experience I have created the following mind map where I try to set some rules to help the learners of English. The rules given here are in no way foolproof but I hope they will help a bit.
In this post you will find the mind map and three game to revise the concept of countability.
Countable or Uncountable – mind map
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Games to practise countability
Now it is time to test your knowledge in games. The first one is absolutely new. You play the Tetris games and after 4 pieces you have to write whether the noun is Countable (C), Uncountable (U) or Both (B). USE ONLY CAPITAL LETTERS!!!
Countable and uncountable nouns – Tetris game
The second game is incredibly popular in my classes. It is called On Target and you should shoot the bad ducks. You can shoot one of the bottles on the side to get some bonus. The game is in Flash and will play only on desktop computers that have the Flash plugin activated.
Countable and Uncountable – On Target game
The third game is called Penalty Shootout. In this game you should choose the correct answer and then try to score a goal. Good luck.
As the game is in Flash, it will only play on desktop computers with Flash add on activated.
You can find more activities and explanations on this topic at Countable and Uncountable Games.
You can learn the usage of the words HOW MUCH and How MANY here.
My friend keeps asking me whether there is a logical way to see if he should use DO or MAKE. I always told him that there is not and that he should learn the phrases by heart. However, when he asked me for the third time I sat down and created a logical division for him. It is not foolproof but it is better than nothing. So I hope you will find it useful too.
Make and do – mind map
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Make and do – games
As there is nothing more to explain, here are two games to practise the language.
Make and do – Hoop shoot
In this game it is your task to choose the correct verb and then stop the circles as close to the center as possible. Good luck.
The HOOP SHOOT GAMEThe game is in Flash
Make and do – Teacher invaders
In this game your task is to write the right word (MAKE or DO) to complete the phrases. And then … SHOOT THEM ALL.
The INVADERS GAMEThe game is in Flash
In my opinion Plants are one of the worst covered vocabulary topics in ELT. That is why, I have created the following post. There is a pictionary with all the words, a mind map, a video and four games to practise the vocabulary. I hope you will find these words useful.
Plants – vocabulary video
Here is a video with the words and their pronunciation.
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Plants – pictionary
Here are all the words in a pictionary. You can print this material out (as long as you do not try to profit financially from this.)
Plants pictionary by engames.eu
Plants – mind map
This mind map tries to divide the vocabulary into three categories: Deciduous trees (those that have leaves), coniferous trees and flowers. Some students find these divisions useful.
Watch and practise
Watch the pictures and say the words in English.
Plants – games
Here are four games to practise the vocabulary. Give them a try:
Flashcards
Click Here to play the game
Pick a letter
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Click Here to play the game
Matching
Click Here to play the game
Crosswords
Click Here to play the game
This is quite a simple grammar point – adjectives with the endings ed or ing. The more annoying it is when students use the endings incorrectly. In this post you can find a mind map, two games and a BBC presentation on this topic. I hope it will work fine for you and that you will never ever confuse these two endings again.
Adjective endings – mind map
I call it a mind map but in fact it is a graphical explanation of the grammar point which has nothing to do with a mind map.
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Adjective endings – games
In both of the following games your task is to choose the correct adjective and then shoot 🙂
Adjective endings – On Target game
Adjective endings – Penalty game
Adjective endings – BBC grammar challenge
I have tried to turn the great BBC programme into a video. You can watch the result below. It explains the usage of the grammar.
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This will be quite a short post. But sometimes easy does it. So, I hope it will be the case.
I would love to explain the usage and form of Used to here. To achieve this I have created the following mind map:
Used to – mind map
In this mind map I try to explain the form and usage of the form USED TO:
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Used to – games
There are two simple games to practise the grammar explained above. The first one is called On target. Your task is to choose the correct form to complete the sentences and then you will get a chance to shoot the bad ducks. You have 5 shots but you might win a bonus if you shoot one of the bottles 🙂
Used to – On Target
Used to – Teacher invaders
The second game is called Teacher invaders. Shoot all the invaders and save the Earth. Moreover, your task is to complete each sentence with the correct form of “USED TO”.
Many elementary students feel they cannot see the difference between these two tenses. To help them I have created a rap which explains the grammar and gives some example sentences, two mind maps explaining everything simply and several games to practise this grammar point. I hope you will find it useful.
Present tenses – mind maps
The first mind map explains the basics about the present simple tense:
The second mind map has already been published here in the post on Present continuous tense. The mind map explains the usage and form of the present continuous tense.
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Present tenses – rap
Watch the rap and then try to answer the comprehension questions in the game On target. The rap explains the usage of the two tenses and gives some examples.
Now try the comprehension game. Answer all the questions and then shoot the bad ducks 🙂
Play the game here.
Present tenses – games
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Now it is time to check whether you understand the grammar point. Here is a game called En Garde. Your task is to choose the correct tense and then hit your opponent. Good luck.
You can play the game En Garde here.
Many people think that the topic animals is suitable only for children. Thus the learners learn the names of twenty animals when they are young and they think it is enough. However, intermediate students need to know more animals than the twenty they learnt as children. That is why I have created the following post. Here the intermediate students can practise what they learnt a long time ago and add some more new words.
Animals – pictionary
Here is a beautiful pictionary with all the animals which will be dealt with in this post.
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Animals – video
Watch the video and repeat the names of the animals. Each word is pronounced twice.
Animals – mind map
For many people it is much easier to remember new vocabulary if it is organised. Here is a mind map which tries to do this.
Animals – games
There are three games here. The first one is a classical wordsearch. Find the word, click on the first letter and then on the last one. Your task is to find all the animals there.
Animals Penalty game
The second game is called Penalty. Read the definitions and choose the correct animal.
Teacher invaders game
The last game is called Teacher invaders. Your task is to shoot all the invaders and write the names of the animals.
Half a minute game
And here is a bonus game. As some people do not like Teacher invaders here are the same words with the same definitions in a much quiter game:
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There are very few grammar points that I know so well as conditional sentences. Students always ask about them and they appear in tests and students. I have tried many times to explain this grammar, but I feel that I have always failed. I have created about 5 different presentations and three mind maps till I got to this simple one.
Conditionals – mind map
This is the simplest mind map I have managed to create and students say it is fine and they can understand it now. I hope it works the same way for you.
Read the map from the left side. The two arrows in the midle of the map show that the RESULT part can be at the beginning and the IF part at the end.
The horrible mess in the middle of the Unreal conditionals, shows the mixed conditionals, where the IF in the past can have a RESULT NOW. Or where IF now can have a RESULT in the past. I hope you understand.
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Conditionals – games
It is very important to understand the grammar rules, but it is even more important to be able to use them correctly. You can try this out in the following games.
The first one is called On Target and your task is to answer the questions and shoot all the BAD ducks. You can get a bonus if you shoot one of the bottles.
The second game is a new one. It is called darts. You should choose the correct answer but then WAIT and click it only at the moment you aim at a high number. It is not as easy as it seems. You can leave your score at the comments section and the winner will get ELM magazine from us.
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Scientists claim that the center for rythm is located next to the long-term memory in our brain. Knowing this, we could exploit it to the students’ benefit and teach them vocabulary through rhymes or raps. So, I tried to create the following rap to teach the students the following words: beach, prefer, rhyme, crazy, bone, railway, clothes, lots, fun, sand and shower.
Crazy Vocabulary Rap -video
First listen to the following rap and answer the comprehension questions under the video.
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Now check your comprehension by playing the following game:
Crazy vocabulary rap – Hoop shoot
Crazy Vocabulary Rap – mind map
Now that you met the vocabulary it is time to introduce it. I love introducing new things using mind maps, so here is another one. Each word contains a definition and three examples.
Crazy Vocabulary Rap – Vocabulary games
Once you think you know all the words it is time to test your knowledge. There are three games to check whether you really know the words. In the first two your task is to complete each sentence with the best option. If you answer correctly you will get to play a game.
Crazy Vocabulary Rap – Hoopshoot game
Crazy Vocabulary Rap – Fling the teacher game
The last game is a bit different. You will see a definition and then you have to write the word. Do not forget to shoot the invaders, though 🙂
Crazy Vocabulary Rap – Teacher invaders game.
Crazy Vocabulary Rap – Lyrics
You might want to learn the whole text, so here you are:
I’m going somewhere on this train
I’m going somewhere fun
A place that has a beach and sand
Railway take me to that sun….
I prefer to go somewhere out west
But any beach will do
Before I go I need a shower
I have no water, what to do….
I need a beach where clothes aren’t needed
Cuz mine I do not have
They got destroyed by a beast
Doing something reasonably bad….
He was drinking lots of milk he was
This milk I wanted some
Cuz in my youth I want strong bones
To stay in shape and have some fun
This rhyme is really crazy
This I really know
Time for me to say bye bye
It’s time for me to go….
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The whole planet is following the Winter Olympic games in Sochi. And as this site has got the word “games” in its name I think it will be appropriate to make a post on winter olympic sports.
Winter Olympic sports – video
Here you should listen and repeat the words.
Winter Olympic sports – interactive mind map
This mind map contains all the sports and the less typical ones contain a link to a Youtube video where you can see the sport.
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Winter Olympic sports – Mind map
Here you can see the mind map with all the sports.
Winter Olympic sports – Games
There are two games to practise the winter olympic sports. The first one is called On target. Your task is to read the definition and then choose the best option. If you answer correctly you will get a chance to shoot the Evil ducks. Do not forget that you can get a Bottle Bonus if you shoot a bottle.
Winter Olympic sports – On target game
The second game is called Half a minute and your task is to put the letters in the correct order. However, you have only 30 seconds to do this.
Winter Olympic sports – Half a minute game
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Negative prefixes are very productive. It seems that if you learn these then you might be able to create countless English words. However, it is not enough to learn only the prefixes. As each word has its own prefix and there are just a few rules you have to learn the whole words.
Knowing this, I took 4,000 most frequent words in English and I looked for the words with negative prefixes among them. Once I found them I created the following mind map:
Negative prefixes – a mind map
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Go through the mind map above and use a dictionary if you do not know any of the words.
Negative prefixes – games
Once you think that you know the words with negative prefixes I believe it is time to test your knowledge in games. This time there are 4 games. The first two (En Garde and On Target) contain the same tasks in different games. Choose the one you like better and plaaaaaay!!!
Negative prefixes – En Garde
Negative prefixes – On target
In the game called Half a minute your task is to put the jumbled word into the correct order. It is not easy but if you know the words you should manage to do this.
Negative prefixes – Half a minute
The last game is called Teacher invaders. Your task is to shoot all the invaders and write the words with negative prefixes. I believe this is the most difficult game, so give it a try!!!
Negative prefixes – Teacher invaders
Negative prefixes – a blind mind map
Have you played all the games and they were a piece of cake? Let’s try something more challenging. Print the following mind map and complete it with the missing words:
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This material is a demonstration of the approach called CLIL. In CLIL You learn the content and thus you learn the language. However, experimenting a bit with the approach I like to do this a bit differently. First, I introduce the vocabulary through the mind map, then I present the text (this time in a video) and then we assess the understanding and play the games to practise the vocabulary.
Battle of Hastings – video
Watch the video and try to understand it.
Battle of Hastings – mind map
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Battle of Hastings – games
Once you have watched the video you should try the comprehension questions in the game. Your task is to shoot only the evil figures.
Battle of Hastings – On Target game
Vocabulary games: In the first game you should read the definition and guess the word. Then click the arrow and you will see the correct words
Now that you know the words it is time to see whether you know the words:
Fill in the blank – vocabulary
Battle of Hastings – For teachers
As many of the readers of this blog are teachers here is a brief section for them. When I teach this section I display the second slide of the Powerpoint presentation and I teach the vocabulary there. Then I play the video and play the comprehension game On Target with the students (divide the students into two teams to make the game more enjoyable.) Then I display the last slide and the students have to retell the story of Harold, Harald and William. Moreover, there is a pdf file with the mind map and a presentation which is easy to display on the IWB as it is in Powerpoint.
1066_Battle of Hastings
Battle_of_hastings
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Three days ago we were talking about presents with my students and I could hear that they were using the verbs buy,give, get etc. in a way that everyone would understand them but which was wrong. So, I created the following presentation and several exercises. What surprised me was that even after my presentation the students protested that some other forms (the ones they used) were correct too. But it is not true. They are not and you have to use the verbs in the way demonstrated here to be understood and correct.
Verbs with two objects – mind map
I am really proud of this mind map. It took a lot of time to construct and I think it clearly demonstrates the verbs and their usage:
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Verbs with two objects – games
Once you have mastered the three possible patterns it is time to use them. There are two game to practise this grammar point. In the first one you should choose the correct option to get a chance to hurt your opponent. Are you good enough to win the fight?
Verbs with two subjects En Garde game.
The second game is quite quick. You have to shoot all the invaders and answer all the questions. The best I have ever seen was level 5. Can you get further?
Verbs with two objects – Teacher invaders
Verbs with two objects – for teachers
I have realised that this site is frequently visited by teachers. And that is why I have decided to enter this part into my post. Here I would like to offer the teachers the materials tuned for teaching. First is the mind map in powerpoint file. If you have an IWB you can display the parts of the mind map and explain the concept.
The other file contains the mind map in a pdf file.
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BBC site offers a lot of interesting and really useful materials for learners and teachers of English. However, they just present something and they do not give you much chance to learn what they teach. That is why I prepared this short post.
Take a rain check – video
Some time ago a researcher proved that students can learn a lot if they just read and listen to a text. Therefore I turned the BBC recording into the following video which follows this principle.
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Take a rain check – mind map
Once you have read and listened to the recording it is time to identify the most difficult parts which you should learn. Here is a mind map with all the important language from the recording:
Take a rain check – games
And to remember all the key words and concepts from the recording it is best to practise them in games. Here are two games:
Enjoy
In time clauses it is important to understand that you cannot use WILL after certain conjunctions, even though you are referring to the future. And that is the whole trick. If you do this (not will do this), your English will be fine. And that is what you need.
Time clauses – mind map
To make this concept clearer I have created the following mind map. Read the mind map clockwise and start at 12 o’clock.
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Time clauses – games
As the grammar point is quite simple to understand, I have created only two games to practise this. The first one is called Fling the Teacher and if you answer (not will answer) all the questions correctly you will fire the teacher because you won’t need him any more. So what are you waiting for? FLING THE TEACHER!
Fling the teacher – time clauses.
The second game is ideal for a classroom. You can work in two teams and the teams fight against each other. If you answer incorrectly your opponent gets a free chance to hurt you.
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