The best shindig ever!

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Vocabulary - colloquial language

party people dancing and learning party words and phrases

LESSON OVERVIEW

In this lesson students watch a video on how to host a party, learn and practise some informal party words and phrases and engage in a role-play. Just a friendly reminder – this is a lesson for adults.

C1 / Advanced60 minStandard LessonPremium Plan

WARM-UP & PARTY WORDS AND PHRASES

To engage students’ interest in the theme of the lesson and teach them some party words and phrases, they start by brainstorming different names of parties (e.g. housewarming, farewell party). Then, students read five gapped questions, complete them with one party name each and discuss. The following activity introduces them to some informal words and expressions related to throwing a party (e.g. gatecrash, shindig, booze it up). Students analyse a box with twelve words and expressions and have to highlight the synonyms of the word ‘party’. Next, they focus on the other words from the box and try to guess their meanings. They work in pairs and answer two questions related to their own experience with parties and then come up with four questions involving four words from the previous exercise to ask their partners.

VIDEO & ROLE-PLAY

The second part of the lesson starts with a funny video on how to host a party. As a pre-listening task, students have to come up with six tips on their own. Then, they watch the video for the first time and compare their tips to the ideas presented in the video. Next, they move on to listening for more detailed information. They focus on eight sentences taken from the video and have to complete them with two to five words used by the speakers. As a follow-up, they discuss the complete sentences and decide whether they agree with them or not. The lesson finishes with a role-play.They have to imagine their friend is throwing a party and discuss some details. They stick to the instructions on a role card given by the teacher and act out the dialogue (hopefully, using the party words and phrases they’ve learnt in this lesson).

WORKSHEETS

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  1. pinkpanther

    This sounds like fun, and that it can also be tied into cultural events like Halloween and Christmas

  2. Юлия Ткаченко

    It is actually a great class and I managed to use it right after the war in Ukraine started. I am from Ukraine and all my students are. Everyone was texting me “Hey, Julia, it would be so cool to hang out when this madness is over”. So, that’s how I introduced it and we kinda planned a party in the end))
    So, I just wanted to say thank you for creating and exploring such a great topic for distraction.

    Btw, here is a link to Quizlet with the keywords and examples:
    https://quizlet.com/_b726t2?x=1jqt&i=3bq11w
    It is open to everyone)

    1. Stan

      Thanks for sharing that Quizlet set! I guess it’s going to be useful to other teachers. Also we’re happy to hear that you could use this lesson to let people take their mind off of what’s going around in Ukraine.

  3. macieq

    one of the best lesson plans i’ve ever seen and used in my life! Students friendly and mind broadening. I mean most of people love talking about party throwing/having… plus some nice vocabulary – it’s a must do!!!!!

    1. Justa

      We’re happy to hear such positive feedback! Thanks! The topic of the lesson might seem unusual, but actually, as you mentioned, students love talking about parties 🙂

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