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Find someone who... had a good summer vacation! An ESL speaking activity

I used this one at the beginning of the fall semester, right after summer break. I went over rejoinders and follow-up questions before we started. This is also when you get students to create their own for #13-15. They should be related to the summer vacation theme if possible.

Watch out for the one about the swine flu rule - it's for Korean schools starting the fall 2009 semester.

During the activity I usually circulate, participate a little bit (to encourage students), and listen a lot. I write down the mistakes I hear so that I can put them on the board and go over them with the entire class after the activity.

Use rejoinders (cool, that sucks, really?, etc.) and follow-up questions. After the activity you will have to report some of what you learned to the class so take notes as you speak to your classmates.

__________________ visited a foreign country during summer break.

__________________ visited an interesting place in Korea during summer break.

__________________ did something wild this summer.

__________________ is planning a trip for winter break.

__________________ has gotten yelled at recently.

__________________ has goals s/he needs to achieve this semester.

__________________ recently found something new that s/he enjoys.

__________________ got some new clothes this summer.

__________________ had to wait before coming to campus because of the new swine flu rule.

__________________ did a lot of work this summer.

__________________ went to the beach or to a water park this summer.

__________________ read a good book over the summer.

13.

14.

15.

Check out James Trotta's travel blog for summer vacation plans, travel news and ideas, and more.

Rejoinders from Conversation Strategies :

Surprise: Good news:
Oh really? Oh really! You're kidding That's great! Terrific!
Express interest: Bad news:
I see. Oh yeah? That's too bad. I'm sorry to hear that.