Every Day Comprehensible Input Activities
I don’t know if you know this, but I actually have a terrible memory and I don’t how many times I’ve discovered a great CI activity then forgotten it by the next week. So, what I wanted to create was a quick reference guide (mostly for myself), with minimal reading, when choosing CI activities. A place where you (we?) can pick an activity at a glance and then chuck it into a lesson or program.
The activities are organized roughly in terms of complexity and are divided into two broad categories - Activities for newer and experienced students, though you could use any activity at any time really. Newer activities would largely revolve around establishing classroom routines and reinforcing the Super 7 grammatical points, while more advanced activities can create conversation starters and contexts for rich vocabulary comprehension.
Activities for Newer Students
Equipment Check
Students get out all the necessary equipment for class and the teacher walks around the room circling whether the students have them or not.
Spot the Difference
The teacher displays a spot the difference challenge. Students have to tell the teacher the differences between the pictures in their second language.
Special Person Interview
Students complete infographics about themselves and they are projected onto the screen and discussed/circled amongst the class
Guided Drawing
The students and teachers draw something together, at the same time. The teacher gives descriptions as they draw in Japanese. For an interesting twist, the teacher does exactly the same, but draws on a portable whiteboard facing the class so they can’t see, then compare at the end.
Who is it?
Students from the class or across the entire year complete small personal profiles. The teacher collects them, the draws one “randomly” to illustrate and talk about in Japanese. Students have a small piece of paper, when they figure out who it is, they write their initials, clue number and their guess on it and hand it in.
Gokiburi
The teacher leaves the room and the students hide a toy cockroach. The teacher then has to ask questions in Japanese order to find it.
Picture Talk
The teacher projects an interesting picture (or students can provide a picture in advanced) which the teacher circles and the class discusses
Calendar Talk
The teacher discusses the calendar in simple, repetitive language, building familiarity with dates/days etc. as well as learning significant cultural dates.
Smart Ass
The teacher has a person, place or thing in mind. The teacher illustrates 10 clues on the board and talks about them in their second language. Students have a small piece of paper, when they figure out what the thing is, they write their initials, clue number and guess on it and hand it in.
Timetable Talk
Discuss how the student’s day has looked, what subjects have they completed and what subjects are upcoming. Also if possible, discuss what they are studying etc.
Activities for more Experienced Students
Clip Chat
The teacher shows a short, engaging video clip and discusses it with students in the target language, using simple questions and statements to build comprehension and introduce relevant vocabulary.
Movie Talk
Unlike "clip chat," which uses very short clips as a conversation starter, MovieTalk often involves longer segments and a deeper focus on narrative and language structures. Involves a lot of pauses and scene discussions, with the sound on and off.
Myriorama Stories
Students get into groups and the teacher displays a Myriorama card. The first group has to start a story by describing the card. They then draw a card for the next group, then they must continue the story.
Brain Teasers
Project a brain teaser and discuss it in Japanese. Have your students give the answer in Japanese.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Students play through a simple choose your own adventure story, stopping at a cliffhanger question each session.
Tabletop Simulator
This is a little broad, but this is an opportunity to apply/transfer your skills to virtual boardgames.
Point and Click Adventure
Play through a ‘point-and-click’ game without, having the students control and discuss what to do in the game. Can be played with the story in English or Japanese, though some games have no text at all.
NHK Easy News
Project the website NHK simple news and discuss what is happening in Japan at the moment.