Before you start teaching a new language to your TY students we encourage you to engage them in some introductory tasks.

We have prepared a number to choose from.  They explore both the language and culture of the country/ies they are going to learn about. You can choose a couple of them or get your students to work in stations to complete them all.

All the material you need is included in each task.

What do I know about

In this introductory module, we present a series of tasks and activities designed to awaken students’ curiosity about the language and culture they are going to learn over the next few weeks. The tasks are also aimed at helping students to explore language learning strategies and tap into their existing knowledge of the country/ies and language.

• Download the lesson plan here
• Flower template
• Airplane template
• Tweet template
• Placemat template
• Map

Let’s Brainstorm

Read the Instructions and download the Chinese Loop Game.

Discussion Board

Ice-breaker activity or Reflection exercise. It encourages students to develop an awareness of the target language and culture and helps them reflect on what they know or perceive the target country/ies. Download the Resource.

Create Your Chinese Name

Students will learn about the basic workings of the Chinese writing system and name culture. Download the Resource.

These two resources focus on talking about myself and others. You can complete all the tasks suggested or do the ones which suit your students best.

Visual Description

Students will use some very basic phrases to talk about themselves. Students will learn to introduce themselves by describing where they live, how old they are and giving simple physical descriptions. Download the Resource.

Family Tree

Students will learn basic vocabulary and structures to introduce themselves and their families. Download the Resource.

These three resources focus on talking about hobbies. You can complete all the tasks suggested or do the ones which suit your students best.

A Famous Person

Students will learn to use some very basic phrases to talk about a person. These will include simple descriptions of someone’s nationality, occupation and personality.  Download the Resource.

A Class Survey

Students will learn to use some very basic phrases to talk about others as well as ask and answer questions about personal details. Download the Resource.

Planning My Week

Students will learn to use some basic phrases to talk about the date and afterschool activities. Download the Resource.

These three resources focus on talking about food and shopping. You can complete all the tasks suggested or do the ones which suit your students best.

A Traditional Dish

Students will learn some basic vocabulary for Chinese food and ingredients and some simple expressions related to Chinese cookery. Download the Resource.

Dinner Party

Students will learn basic food vocabulary, typical foods from China and simple expressions and phrases used to order food and to act appropriately when sitting down to eat. Download the Resource.

Planning My Week

Students will learn to use some simple words for colours, sizes and lengths to describe clothing. Students will also gain some basic knowledge of traditional Chinese clothing and how this is reflected in modern Chinese fashion. Download the Resource.

These three resources focus on talking about festivals and holidays. You can complete all the tasks suggested or do the ones which suit your students best.

Come Visit Me

Students work in groups and research a specific tourist attraction and ‘sell’ it to the rest of the class. Download the Lesson Plan and the Tourist Attraction template.

Becoming a Language Detective

Students use their ‘detective’ skills to uncover language based on authentic material. Access the Lesson.

My Digital Story

Students will learn to recognise and use some basic words and phrases to talk about and describe holidays. Download the Resource.

These three resources focus on talking about cultural awareness. You can complete all the tasks suggested or do the ones which suit your students best.

Before and After

This resource is designed for reflection exercises. It encourages students to draw insights from their previous and current learning of the language and culture towards greater pluricultural awareness. Download the Resource.

My Learning Experience

This resource is designed for reflection exercises. It encourages students to review their learning experiences and share with their peers. Download the Resource.

Challenging stereotypes

Students will learn some basic expressions to talk about feelings and make comparisons between their own perceptions in the past and present. Students may also have the opportunity to present their opinions in class, at school and in the local community. Download the Resource. For more ideas for this task, click here.