Back-To-The-Board.
- Use it for reviewing vocabulary, practicing explaining skills.
- Easy to modify for different levels.
- Fun, Active Game which most students enjoy.
How to Play. (S = Student)
- Divide S's into teams or groups.
- Each team needs a leader or boss. The boss has to sit so that he/she can't see the board.
- The teacher writes a word or phrase on the board and each team must try to explain the word/phrase to their boss.
S's cannot use the words on the board, their native languages, or body language / gestures.
Optional : Allow use of body language/gestures for lower levels. - When the boss is sure he/she has the correct word or phrase, he/she needs to call the teacher to double-check.
Finishing the Game.
There are a number of ways you can score the game.
- You can give 2 points to the first team to finish, and 1 point to all other teams who finish within a time limit.
- Give points for all teams who finish within a time limit.
- No points but teams try to race to finish within a set time limit.
- There is NO penalty for teams who can't finish, just better luck next time.
After finishing the word/phrase, Ss change their boss/leader so everyone has a turn.
Useful Phrases.
Here are some phrases which students will find useful when they explain words.
- It's another word for ......
- It's the opposite of ......
- You feel this way when ......
- You do this when ......
- You use this to ......