TeachingEnglish has lots of different activities for teachers who are teaching English around the world to children aged 5-12. To help you find suitable activities, we have three levels on our site. These activities for level 1 are most suitable for children who can understand and use some words and short phrases, and can follow simple stories, songs and texts. Teachers can use the levels as a guide. For example, if they start to find level 1 activities too easy, you can try more level 2 activities. However, all children learn differently, so try activities from different levels at any time, especially if it is a topic they enjoy.

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The Alphabet

The alphabet can be an easy way of collating new vocabulary and lends itself well to fun activities that will help your learners remember what you introduce into the lesson.

Drawing dictations

Drawing dictations are a great way to practise vocabulary and to find out how well the students in your class listen to you.

Using opposites

This is a lesson designed to help learners understand and remember opposite adjectives. Many of the techniques used here could be used for teaching other words or adjectives too.

Working in pairs and groups

The tendency with primary learners is to treat the class as a whole group and underestimate their ability to work in pairs or in small groups. Even very young learners can become independent in their learning and guided early on they will be more likely to grow into autonomous and successful language learners.

Back writing

This activity practises vocabulary and spelling and can be good for restless classes.

Drama with children 2

Following on from Drama with children 1 here are a few suggestions that will help you integrate drama into your classroom. Many of the activities are non-verbal but can be adapted at a later stage.

Toys

The following ideas are ideal for a post-Christmas show and tell style session but can be equally adapted throughout the year. You will need to spend a couple of lessons on toys to introduce ‘favourite’ and for children to bring their toys in for the lesson after to talk about them.

Zoo animals

Children love learning about animals, especially ones which are big, scary, colourful, wild, and potentially dangerous!

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

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