Teaching English does not have to be limited to modern methods and new technology. In this article, we want to convince you that many creative offline methods can perfectly support adult learners’ efforts to achieve their goals. These are very creative and original methods that will entertainingly break the teaching routine. What is more, they will add some fun to it. We hope that you will find the ideas presented here inspiring!
Cooking together
Many adult listeners are passionate about cooking, and conversations about food and the culinary arts are the theme of many conversations in various situations. Such a topic can easily become a practical and enjoyable activity! Cooking or preparing different dishes together can be a great exercise to test your English language skills. As a tutor, you can read the steps of a recipe yourself or use a video in which a native speaker reads such a recipe. The activity can easily be carried out both online (if there is no other option) and in person. This is an excellent idea for a group activity that will provide participants with opportunities for lots of shared and positive emotions. Such activity can develop listening and understanding, as well as speaking skills. Moreover, listeners learn to describe activities on their own.
Reading books and fairy tales
In the digital age, it is easy to forget about traditional paper materials. However, it is worth reminding the audience of their existence. Reading excerpts or discussing selected quotations can be an interesting way to deepen knowledge of the language, and literature is certainly a rich source of this. It also provides plenty of inspiration that can motivate adult learners. You can create a list of items to read together with your learners, and fairy tales might be among them. Contrary to what one might think, stories are excellent for teaching adults, helping shape creativity and expand vocabulary. Confronting different types and genres of literature broadens linguistic horizons and is an enjoyable experience.
Outdoor learning
Find out your audience’s area of interest and put it into practice! If their enthusiasm and commitment are at a high level, they are sure to respond positively to the suggestion of going on an excursion together, perhaps to a nearby forest or park, for example. Nature has a soothing effect on the senses, and a new environment is part of the challenge, which also means practical exercises. These can be, for instance, naming tree species and describing situations. There are plenty of possibilities. It is easy to add extra variation to any such expedition, e.g., learners preparing the map themselves or working in a group. It also works well to divide participants into two groups that set each other specific tasks in English. The outdoor activity can turn into an exciting field game. Those who favour this kind of challenge will most certainly find such a lesson idea attractive.
Games & quizzes
The growing popularity of board games can be a source of inspiration for using them as part of a lesson. When playing this type of game, many people are more relaxed, which makes it easier to break the language barrier. It is also an opportunity to practice informal language, which can come in handy in everyday situations. Both games and quizzes are an excellent workout not only for the brain but also for soft skills training that teaches, for instance:
• Teamwork
• Mutual communication
• Problem-solving and finding solutions.
This is one of the more enjoyable methods of teaching adults who are overloaded with daily activities. It is, therefore, worth diversifying the teaching plan with less standard methods that will make it easier and more enjoyable to master grammar or vocabulary. It is also an excellent method for breaking down the speaking barrier, which is essential for improving speaking skills.
