Tired of the same old vocabulary drills and grammar exercises? Spice up your ESL classroom with this multi-faceted activity that caters to not one, not two, but THREE of Howard Gardner’s famed intelligences:
1. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence: The Shakespearean Slam Poetry Showdown
Unleash your students’ inner bards by challenging them to create and perform slam poetry using newly learned vocabulary and grammatical structures. Encourage them to explore themes of cultural identity, personal experiences, or even the absurdity of English idioms (e.g., “It’s raining cats and dogs? What about elephants and giraffes?”). Bonus points for incorporating obscure literary references or Shakespearean insults (“Thou art a canker blossom!”). Fun fact: Did you know that Shakespeare invented over 1,700 words? That’s more than the entire vocabulary of some languages!
2. Interpersonal Intelligence: The “Lost in Translation” Skit Spectacular
Divide students into groups and assign each a hilariously mistranslated phrase from a foreign language (e.g., the Swedish “Det är ingen ko på isen” which literally means “There’s no cow on the ice” but actually means “There’s no need to panic”). Have them create a short skit depicting the confusion and hilarity that ensues from the misinterpretation. This activity not only promotes collaboration and communication but also highlights the nuances and cultural context of language. Did you know that the Japanese word “bakku-shan” describes the experience of seeing a woman who appears beautiful from behind but not from the front?
3. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The “Grammar in Motion” Charades Challenge
Tired of students staring blankly at verb conjugations? Get them up and moving with a grammar-themed charades game. Assign each student a verb tense or grammatical structure (e.g., “present perfect continuous”) and have them act it out without speaking. The rest of the class must guess the correct form. This kinesthetic approach not only reinforces grammar concepts but also adds a healthy dose of laughter and physical activity to the classroom. Fun fact: Did you know that the average person burns approximately 100 calories per hour while sitting? Get those verbs moving!
By incorporating this multi-intelligence extravaganza into your ESL curriculum, you’ll not only cater to diverse learning styles but also create a memorable and enjoyable learning experience for your students. Who knows, you might even discover hidden talents among your students – a future slam poetry champion, a budding comedic actor, or even a grammar-themed interpretive dancer. The possibilities are endless, just like the quirks and complexities of the English language itself.
