Scaffolding the comparatives with adults

 I created these comparison cards (I know, nothing revolutionary!) for my adult group at A2+ level. They’re designed to practice comparatives and the as…as structure in a fun, visual, and interactive way. Although I made them with adults in mind, you can easily adapt them for teenagers as well. The cards are flexible and can be used at different stages of a lesson — from controlled practice to freer speaking tasks.

There are three types of cards:

1. Cards with two things, adjectives, and pre-filled stars (guided practice).

2. Cards with two things and adjectives, but blank stars for students to decide (semi-guided).

3. Cards with blank spaces for students to choose the two things and adjectives themselves, and colour in the stars (freer production).

Here’s how you could use them step by step with adult A2 learners:

Cards with Provided Stars (Controlled Practice)

Purpose: introduce/reinforce structures, lower cognitive load.

• Activity Idea – Sentence Builders
  Give each student/pair a card with two things (e.g., Pizza vs. Salad).
  Students read the stars and make at least 3 sentences:

  • Pizza is more delicious than salad.

  • Salad is not as expensive as pizza.
    Teacher monitors accuracy.

• Variation – Race to Compare
  Split class into teams. Show a card on the board.
  Teams take turns making correct comparative sentences. Each correct one = 1 point.

Why it works: Controlled input → clear visual support with stars → helps low-level students build accuracy before moving to freer tasks.

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Cards with Blank Stars but Pre-Chosen Adjectives (Semi-Guided Practice)

Purpose: encourage choice, personalization, and discussion.

• Activity Idea – Rank & Talk
  In pairs, students decide how many stars each side gets (e.g., Is salad healthier than pizza?).
  They must then explain and compare:

  • We think pizza is not as healthy as salad, because…

• Variation – Class Survey
  Each pair ranks their card, then compares with another pair. Do they agree?
  Quick plenary discussion: Who thinks pizza is more popular than salad? Hands up!

Why it works: Semi-controlled → still guided by provided adjectives, but requires decision-making, negotiation, and justification (key for adults).

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Cards with Blank Things + Blank Adjectives (Freer Practice)

Purpose: free production, creativity, personalization, fluency.

• Activity Idea – Create & Compare
  In small groups, students choose two things (e.g., Netflix vs. Cinema) and 4–5 adjectives (fun, expensive, relaxing).
  They decide the stars and present their comparisons to the class:

  • The cinema is more expensive than Netflix.

  • Netflix is not as social as the cinema.

• Variation – “Challenge the Class”
  A group presents their card without saying the stars. Other groups guess how they ranked it by asking comparative questions:

  • Is Netflix as interesting as cinema?

  • Is cinema more expensive than Netflix?

Why it works: Freer task → promotes autonomy, creativity, and student-centered learning. It also taps into adults’ experiences and opinions, which increases motivation and engagement.

Extra Tips for Adults:

• Encourage opinions: “Do you agree with the stars?” → sparks authentic speaking.

• Allow pair/group negotiation: Adults like reasoning, not just drills.

• Extend to mini-debates: e.g., “Living in the city is better than in the countryside” — agree/disagree.

If you want, you can download my cards here: CARDS

A TWISTER CHALLENGE REVISION GAME

 Looking for a way to make grammar and vocabulary revision more exciting? I bought a pack of jelly beans and that gave me the idea to turn them into a revision game for my students. Of course not eating or playing with jelly beans themselves :) The result was the Twister challenge revision game – a mix of knowledge, luck, and a little bit of fun competition that turned a routine review lesson into one of the most engaging classes of the semester.

Why This Game Works

Revision lessons often risk becoming repetitive. Students practise the same grammar structures, phrasal verbs, or idioms, but without much energy. By adding a game element and a touch of surprise, the Twister Challenge makes revision interactive and memorable.

• Revision in disguise – Students spin the arrow, choose a category, and answer a task. They’re revising phrasal verbs, idioms, or word formation – but because it feels like a game, the pressure is off and participation goes up.

• Points = motivation – Instead of just being “right or wrong,” students earn (or lose!) points through fun prompts: “Double your score!”, “Lose 3 points!”, or “Swap with the other team!”. The randomness keeps everyone on edge.

• Collaboration – Teams work together to solve language tasks, explain grammar rules, or invent examples. This strengthens not just their language skills, but also their teamwork.

• Relationships & atmosphere – The silly “penalties” (like starting from zero or losing points to the other team) often lead to laughter, which builds a positive group dynamic and lowers the fear of making mistakes.

What Students Practise

The game can easily be adapted to any level, but at B2 it’s especially effective for:

• Phrasal verbs – e.g. come up with, break down, set off

• Grammar structures – conditionals, passive voice, cleft sentences, inversion

• Vocabulary – collocations, topic-based words, tricky synonyms

• Idioms & expressions – the last straw, cost an arm and a leg, bite the bullet

• Word formation – exam-style transformations (base word → correct form)

• Functions / communication – polite requests, giving advice, agreeing/disagreeing

Teachers can use all six categories or select the ones most relevant for their group.

Takeaway

Games like this remind us that learning is social. When students laugh, compete, and collaborate, they remember language better. The Jelly Bean Challenge transforms a simple revision class into a shared experience – one that students actually talk about afterwards.

So next time you need to revise grammar or vocabulary, try mixing it with a spinner, some point prompts, and (optional) jelly beans. You might find it’s the sweetest way to learn.

Game Instructions

Teams compete to earn the most points by answering English questions correctly. Points are won or lost through the combination of categories, tasks, and jelly bean point prompts.

What You Need

• A spinner (to choose the category). Or you can use th eonline one.

• A set of task cards for each category.

• A set of point prompt cards (rewards & penalties).

• A scoreboard (whiteboard, paper, or digital).

• Optional: Mr Twister jelly beans for the “fun twist.”

Categories (6 total)  

1. Phrasal Verbs 

2. Grammar Structures

3. Vocabulary

4. Idioms & Expressions

5. Word Formation

6. Functions / Communication

How to Play

1. Spin the Arrow

   • A team spins the arrow to choose their category.

2. Pick a Task 

   • The teacher (or another team) draws one task card from that category.

   • The team has 30–60 seconds to answer or as the promts says.

3. Check the Answer 

   • If the answer is correct → the team earns the chance to draw a Point Prompt card.

   • If the answer is wrong → the other team may try to “steal” by answering.

4. Draw a Point Prompt 

   • Good flavors = rewards (e.g. “+5 points,” “double your score”).

   • Weird flavors = penalties (e.g. “lose 3 points,” “start from zero”).

5. Record Points 

   • Keep track of points on the scoreboard.

6. Continue Play 

   • Teams take turns spinning, answering, and drawing prompts.

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Winning the Game

• The game continues until:

  • all categories are played through, OR

  • a set time limit is reached (e.g. 30 minutes).

• The team with the highest number of points wins.

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Extra Variations

• Double Trouble: A team can risk answering a harder question for double prompts (two draws instead of one).

• Steal Mode: If the first team fails, the second team gets both the task AND the point prompt if correct.

• Speed Round: In the last 5 minutes, all tasks are worth double points.

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This way, the game mixes knowledge (tasks) with luck (prompts) — keeping it fair, fun, and full of surprises.

I have created a ready-to-use set for B2 level students. It contains:

- 2 pdf files of a category cirlce (BW and colour)

- 20 tasks for each category = 120 tasks alltogether

- 20 rewards/penalties prompts

It can be yours for 30PLN

AUTONOMY IN ACTION: TEAR-OFF FLYERS

 

What It Is

Tear-off flyers are classroom posters with small strips (tabs) at the bottom. Each strip contains a question, word, or task. Students rip off a strip and use it to speak, write, or complete a mini-challenge.

This activity is interactive, flexible, and motivating because it combines movement, choice, and surprise. Learners don’t just get “given a task” — they choose their own tab, which provides a sense of autonomy and ownership over learning. This makes them more engaged, less anxious, and more willing to speak.

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Why It Works

• Autonomy & Choice → students select their own question/topic.

• Personalization → topics are varied, surprising, and easy to connect with.

• Movement & Energy → students move around the room, adding fun and novelty.

• Flexibility → one set of flyers can be used for warmers, fluency practice, pair work, or homework.

• Reusability → once created, flyers can be reused with different groups.

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What’s Included in the pack?

🔹 Tear-Off Flyers – B2 Level

• 6 Topics × 9 Questions each (54 questions total)
  Examples: Travel, Food, School

• Students speak for 1–2 minutes, using examples and extended answers.

🔹 Tear-Off Flyers – A2 Level

• 6 Topics × 9 Questions each (54 questions total)
  Examples: Travel, Food,  Daily Life

• Students answer in at least 2 sentences (answer + reason/explanation).

🔹 Story Chain Strips

• 27 strips with random words/phrases.

• Students continue one big class story, each time including their strip.

• Great for fluency and creativity.

🔹 Find Someone Who Strips

• 27 surprising/funny prompts (e.g., Find someone who has sung in the shower).

• Students mingle, ask questions, and collect mini-stories.

• Fun icebreaker or energizer.

🔹 Homework Extension Strips

• 27 creative homework ideas (e.g., make a comic, record a 1-minute podcast, teach a new word at home).

• Students choose one to extend their learning after class.

• Promotes autonomy and different learning styles.

🔹 Blank Flyers

• Editable, ready-to-print templates with empty tear-off strips.

• Teachers or students can create their own sets of questions, vocabulary, or challenges.

 

         

How to Use in Class

1. Preparation

   • Print flyers by topic (e.g., Food, Travel, Hobbies).

   • Each flyer has 6–12 tear-off tabs with different prompts.

   • Stick the flyers on the classroom walls.

2. Activity

   • Students walk around the classroom, choose the flyer/topic they like, and tear off one question.

   • They speak individually, in pairs, or in groups.

   • Peers or the teacher can ask follow-up questions to extend speaking.

3. Correction / Feedback

   • Teacher listens and gives quick feedback on grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation.

   • Peers can also give supportive feedback (e.g., “I liked your example,” “You used new words well”).

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With this pack, you can:

• Energize your speaking lessons.

• Differentiate tasks easily across levels (A2 vs. B2).

• Reuse flyers as warmers, fluency tasks, or homework.

• Give students choice and make learning feel less like “schoolwork” and more like play.

It can be yours for 25PLN.

FIRST WEEK MAGIC

The beginning of the school year is always stressful – new classes, students full of energy after the holidays, and a long list of organizational tasks on the teacher’s shoulders. On top of that, coming up with creative activities to break the ice and build classroom atmosphere can feel overwhelming.

That’s why I created the eBook “First Week Magic – 15 Creative Activities for the Start of the School Year” 

Inside you’ll find ready-to-use ideas not only for the very first lesson but also for the first few classes – so you can start the year calmly, with tried-and-true activities at your fingertips.

It includes, for example:
✅ Human Bingo – a great way to get everyone talking
✅ Speed Dating – Summer Edition – quick and fun introductions
✅ Puzzle of Us – a visual activity to build group identity
✅ Class Recipe and Island Survival Contract – creative ways to make a class contract together

Many activities come with printable materials – in both a colorful and a black-and-white version, so you can choose what works best.

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Why is this eBook worth the investment?

✔️ Save time – no need to search for or prepare activities yourself.
✔️ Get 15 tried and tested activities that engage students and create a positive classroom atmosphere.
✔️ Clear step-by-step instructions – no stress, just results.
✔️ Use the ideas not only in the first week, but also later in the year for integration, substitute lessons, or energy breaks.
✔️ The ideas stay with you forever.

Special launch price: 49 PLN until September 12th!
After that, the price will rise to 69 PLN – so don’t miss the chance to get it cheaper now.

Let your first lessons be full of conversations, laughter, and energy – not stress and last-minute searching for ideas. 

Summer Bingo Chart

 

The first days back at school are a mix of excitement, nerves, and endless stories to share. One of the easiest (and most fun) ways to break the ice and get your students talking is with a Summer Bingo Chart. I got the idea from some website (Polish version), I just changed the content abit and the design.

What Is a Summer Bingo Chart?
It’s exactly what it sounds like—a bingo-style grid filled with prompts about summer activities. Instead of numbers, each square has a lighthearted statement such as:

• “Went swimming in a pool or lake”

• “Ate ice cream for breakfast”

• “Read a book just for fun”

• “Traveled to another city or country”

• “Watched a movie more than once”

The goal? Get students up, moving, and talking as they find classmates who match each square.

How to Use It in Your Classroom

1. Hand Out the Bingo Cards
   Give each student a Summer Bingo sheet and a pen or pencil.

2. Set the Rules
   Students walk around and talk to each other, asking questions to see if someone fits a square. When they find a match, that person writes their name in the box. (You can decide if they can sign their own square!)

3. Encourage Conversation
   The magic isn’t in shouting “Bingo!”—it’s in the chatter that happens along the way. Students will share fun facts, swap summer stories, and make new connections.

4. Wrap Up with Sharing
   Once the activity winds down, gather everyone together and invite them to share the most surprising, funny, or unique things they learned about their classmates.

Why It Works

• Breaks the ice naturally—no forced “stand up and introduce yourself” moments.

• Encourages movement—students mingle, which eases first-day jitters.

• Fosters community—kids find common ground they didn’t know they had.

Whether your students spent the summer traveling the globe or just perfecting the art of the perfect popsicle, the Summer Bingo Chart gives everyone a reason to smile and connect from day one.

Help yourself to the chart: Summer Bingo Chart

Back-to-School Speaking Fun

 As the new school year soon begins, it's the perfect time to ease students back into speaking English confidently — and have some fun along the way! To do just that, I’ve created a set of 50 engaging speaking challenge cards designed for B2-level learners. These cards focus on summer holidays, travel, and free time, while revising key grammar and vocabulary in a playful, communicative context.

To make things even more interactive, I’ve also designed a board game that works perfectly with the cards, turning speaking practice into a lively classroom adventure.

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What Are the Speaking Challenge Cards?

These are 50 task-based speaking prompts that encourage students to:

• Share real or imagined travel stories

• Use key grammar (past tenses, conditionals, modals, comparatives, etc.)

• Recycle vocabulary around holidays, activities, and free time

• Collaborate, debate, and role-play with their classmates

Each card poses a challenge — from “Tell us a story using three past tenses” to “Create a travel app” or “Describe your dream picnic.” Some are quick and fun, others require creativity and storytelling — perfect for building fluency and confidence.

    

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Language Skills Covered

• Speaking fluency and accuracy

• Grammar in context: past tenses, conditionals, modals, etc.

• Vocabulary: travel phrases, activity-related collocations, summer idioms, descriptive language

• Functional language: giving advice, making suggestions, expressing preferences, persuading

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 How to Use the Cards

Here are several classroom-friendly ways to make the most of the cards:

 1. Board Game Version (Highly Recommended!)

I created a printable game board where students move around by rolling dice and drawing a challenge card for each stop. You can:

• Divide the class into small teams or pairs.

• Use tokens or coins as markers.

• Set a timer (e.g., 1–2 minutes per challenge).

• Award points based on creativity, grammar accuracy, or effort.

I added bonus spaces with instructions like: freeze, pass the question, move forward.

2. Mystery Box Challenge

Put the cards in an envelope, box, or bag. Students draw randomly and complete the challenge solo, in pairs, or as a team. Great as a warmer or filler!

 3. Speed Rounds / Stations

Set up speaking stations around the classroom with different cards. Students rotate every few minutes, practicing a variety of skills with new partners.

 4. Digital Spin Wheel

For online or hybrid classes, upload the card prompts to a random spinner or digital tool. Have students spin, speak, and interact from their screens.

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 Teacher Tips

• Use as a diagnostic at the beginning of term to assess speaking fluency, vocabulary range, and grammar awareness.

• Differentiate by assigning easier or more complex challenges based on group level or confidence.

• Gamify with a point system or badges for specific goals (e.g., “Best Use of a Modal,” “Most Creative Story”).

• Follow up with writing tasks: “Write a blog post based on your story,” or “Create a poster for your dream destination.”

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 Why It Works

After a long break, students often need low-pressure, high-interest tasks to get back into the rhythm of English. These cards:

• Encourage meaningful communication

• Foster creativity and laughter

• Provide opportunities for peer interaction

• Build confidence through structured spontaneity

The set can be yours for 25zloty.

Gardening Idioms

 If you’re an English teacher, language learner, or conversation club leader looking to bring some fun and idiomatic expressions into your lessons, you're in the right place!

I've created 20 conversation questions using gardening idioms—perfect for building vocabulary, encouraging thoughtful discussion, and adding some greenery to your classroom or study group.

Below, you’ll find all 20 questions. Each card features a question with an idiom and a simple explanation in brackets to help learners understand and use the idiom correctly.

Feel free to copy, print, or share these! Gardening cards

   

Tips for Using These Cards

• In the classroom: Use them for warm-ups, pair work, or group discussions.

• In conversation clubs: Perfect for sparking engaging dialogue and idiom practice.