Learning 'This is' and 'That is' at the very beginning can help you quickly move onto picking up some basic vocabulary so that students can start building vocabulary from the very beginning.
Part I: This is, That is
Teacher: This is a pencil. (Stress 'this', hold the pencil up in your hand)
Teacher: (Signal students should repeat)
Teacher: That is a book. (Stress 'that', point to a book somewhere in the room)
Teacher: (Signal students should repeat)
Continue this exercise with some basic objects around the room such as: window, chair, table, board, pen, bag, etc. Make sure to stress the difference between 'this' and 'that' when you hold or point to something.
Part II: Questions with this and that
Teacher: (Model a question to yourself by first holding the object and then laying it down for the response, you can also change places in the room, or change your voice to indicate that you are modeling.) Is this a pen? Yes, That is a pen.
Teacher: Is this a pen?
Student(s): Yes, that is a pen. OR No, that is a pencil.
Continue this exercise with some basic objects around the room such as: window, chair, table, board, pen, bag, etc. Make sure to stress the difference between 'this' and 'that' when you hold or point to something.
Part III: Students ask questions
Teacher: (Point from one student to the next indicating that he / she should ask a question)
Student 1: Is this a pen?
Student(s): Yes, that is a pen.
Teacher: (Continue around the room)
Back to the Absolute Beginner 20 Point Program
