10.11.10

Breakfast in class in English

We have just had breakfast in English. This is an activity which consist of having breakfast in class. Students play the roles of customers and waiter/waitress and serve and eat real breakfast. It is very easy to organize: most products are available at the school cafeteria (milk, toasts, jam, butter, hot chocolate, fruit, orange juice...) and those which are not are brought by some students (muffins, bums...). We displayed two tables together as a counter and they had to order something to drink and eat. No mistakes in English are allowed. In case they don't know how to ask for something, they won't get it. In order to control this I started playing the role of a waiter.
Previously, we had worked in class the following points:
- vocabulary: cutlery (fork, mug, napkin, spoon, etc), food (muffin, a piece of toast, olive oil, etc)
- ordering: 1. Customers: "Can I have the menu, please?", "I'd like...., please", "Could I have.......?", "I think I'll have...", etc.
                 2. Waiter/waitress: "Can I help you?", "Are you ready to order?", "Would you like to see the menu?", "Anything to drink?", etc.
- expressing opinions: "That sounds good", "It is delicious", "It is tasty", "It is crunchy", etc.
- intonation in questions: 1. rising intonation in yes/no questions: Can I see the menu, please?, can I help you?, etc.        
                                     2. falling intonation in open questions: What do you recommend?, "What would you like to drink?, etc.

I find this activity very motivating as students really enjoy what they are doing (they are having breakfast!!) and there is not one single students who doesn't like this. Therefore, they do their best to know how to order and how to play the waiter/waitress role paying special attention to how words are pronounced and how questions are uttered with the proper intonation.

It is time for you, customers, waiters and waitresses, to evaluate this activity. Please write a comment on it focusing on the following points:
a. Do you think you could order food in an English cafeteria after having done this activity?
b. Value how you have improved:
                  1. Vocabulary related to food and cutlery.
                  2. Vocabulary and structures to order food and drinks.
                  3. Vocabulary to express your opinion on food.
                  4. Intonation in questions.
c. Would you like to do this activity again? If so, say why.

7 comments:

  1. a. Yes, I think after this activity I can order food in any place.
    b.
    1. I've already known many of the words.
    2. I didn't know many of them.
    3. Most of the words were new for me.
    4. I knew them because we practise this the last year when we interview the basketball players.
    c. Yes, it was a diferent experience and the food was delicius.

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  2. Hi!!
    a)Ye, we have practised a lot an I think that now I can have a conversation with a waiter and that he understands me all right.
    b)
    1.I have learnt all I need to know about tools but I should improve my food vocabulary. I know that I can have breakfast but no about lunch or diner.
    2. We have practised a lot of estructures to order and I've memorized all of them.
    3.I have never learnt similar vocabulary, it has been interesting.
    4. This section has been very useful because I've learnt the entonation to all the questions.
    c) Yes, but with other meal, to practise different vocabulary.
    Bye
    Marta Martínez

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello!

    a) yes why not?. I think that I prepared to go to any cafe someday.
    b)
    1- I admit that i studied this vocabulary in the school but I didn't remember it. Now I won't forget it.
    2- It's very useful and easy to learn.
    3- The most I hadn't heard buy they're necessary.
    4- Knowing the entonation will serve us to make us understand better.
    c)Of course but the next time we will bring the food ourselves, it's more economic =).

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi!
    a) Yes! I think that I could order food, although,at the beginning I may have some difficulties, but I think I can make myself understood.
    b)
    1.I have learnt enough vocabulary to order food for a breakfast, but I don't think the same for lunch or dinner. But I have learnt a lot of vocabulary!
    2. I didn´t know much vocabulary to describe food, but I've learnt a lot! It's very useful!
    3. For me, the intonation is very difficult but I try to looklook at it and practice a lot because it's very important for some understand you.
    c) Sure! But I'd like to be a lunch o dinner. It's better!
    Bye =)
    Yaiza
    Bye =)
    Yaiza

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi!
    a)Yes, I think that I could order food in a restaurant. But also I need to practise more.
    b)
    1. I have learned enough vocabulary that I don't know but all I've learned to vocabulary of cultery.
    2. It's very simple and easy to learn.
    3. I think that this vocabulary is more difficult because we knew him and I don't found it easy to memorize their meanings.
    4. I've practiced the intonation several times and I think are very useful for other questions.
    c)Yes, I want to repeat this activity because it is fun and I learn.

    ReplyDelete
  6. a) Yes becouse with this practise we have more vocabulary to order in a many kind of cafeterias and restaurants.

    b) 1- I´ve known many words who we used.

    2- I´m learn many expresions to order food and drink.
    3- It is the thing in which I learn too much.
    4- If I entonate in good way the question people understand my sure.
    c)Yes, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, it sounds like a good idea, fun and tasty! ;)

    I may do it with my students as well!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete