Why use warm-ups?

• Ss can “turn on their English brain”
• Ss settle into the class and leave the outside-world outside
• warm-ups create and encourage group dynamics
• warm-ups provide a break without a real break in the lesson
• warm-ups provide non-threatening physical body contact, which improves atmosphere
• warm-ups may serve as a disguised way of checking attendance
• warm-ups are a way of painless revision
• Ss enjoy warm-ups, which boosts motivation
• warm-ups may help involve language skills that are not going to be part of the lesson
• warm-ups allow to experiment with a range of language forms
• warm-ups are a good way to allow latecomers enter without disturbing
• T may find time to get ready to the class
• warm-ups may have the function of pair/group forming activities
• warm-ups may have the function of organizing the seating arrangement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example warm-up activities:

Any short activity, possibly involving movement, may serve as a warm-up, for example:

• mad libs
• spot the difference
• match words with pictures
• guessing games
• “writing” on partner’s back

 

 

 

 

When is it best to use a warm-up activity?

It’s great to start a warm-up at the beginnin{mospagebreak}{mospagebreak}{mospagebreak}{mospagebreak}g of a lesson.

You can also use it during the lesson (to change the mood, pace or subject of the lesson).

 

Bibliography

Bartram, M. and Walton, R. 1991. Correction. Mistake Management. Language Teaching Publications: 1991.

Brumfit, C. 1994. Communicative Methodology in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 

Byrne, D. 1990. Teaching Oral Skills. Harlow: Longman.

Byrne, D. 1990b. Teaching Writing  Skills. Harlow: Longman.

Harmer, J. 2001. The Practice of English Language Teaching.  Harlow:  Longman.

Ur, P. 1996. A Course in Language Teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

 

 

 

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