08 May 2014 / by Radmila Gurkova

How to teach beginners English as a foreign language- I want, I don't want

How to teach beginners English as a foreign language in the target language only is sometimes a headache for ESL teachers. As it turned out, teaching the function I WANT in English without translating is not that easy. Students tend to confuse its meaning with I LIKE because this structure appears in similar contexts. How to teach beginners I WANT without simply saying "Yo quiero…"? When we tried to find the best way, we found out that students often confuse its meaning with LIKE and getting them to understand WANT, was more than complicated. The question was, what context is undoubtedly related to WANT and not to like? How would we explain it with the means of English only and some visuals and examples?

A team of teachers suggested this fantastic, teacher friendly and simple activity that nails the approach. Enjoy!























Title: I want, I don't want
Objective:
(short)
To encourage students to practice the basic expressions to want in both positive and negative contexts.
Intro: I am hungry. I WANT food.
Are you hungry? Do you WANT food?Positive - Yes, I WANT food.
Negative - No, I DON'T WANT food.I am thirsty. I WANT water.
Are you thirsty? Do you WANT water?Positive - Yes, I WANT water.
Negative - No, I DON'T WANT water.
Activity: Activity #1 - ChildrenIntroduce SS to a child. ''This is a child.''
Ask them, what does a child want? What doesn't a child want?Proceed to children.
What do children want? What don't children want?Activity # 2 - Teens

Introduce SS to a teen. ''This is a teen.''
Ask them, what does a teen want?

Proceed to teens.
What do teens want? What don't teens want?

Activity #3 - Adults

Introduce SS to an adult. ''This is an adult.''
Ask them, what does an adult want? What doesn't an adult want?

Proceed to adults.
What do adults want? What don't adults want?
Wrap up: What do children want? (sweets, toys)
What don't teens want? (homework, vegetables)
What do adults want? (money, holidays)

19

July 2012
The Goring of the Bulls
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmp4DjtWcuw Have you ever been to the running of the bulls in Pamplona? This event has recently made the news yet again... Half-ton fighting bulls have trampled and knocked over more runners during Spain's San Fermin festival, injuring at least 10 people....

19

July 2012
The Ghosts of Spain
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apQkjjcqGnI When you go aborad, which airport do you normally use? Do you know how many airports there are in Spain? Do you think there are too many? Have a look at this video and read a related news story... Have you heard about the billion euro airport designed during Spain's booming economy, ser...

12

July 2012
A Scottish Visitor's Guide
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LnVIo3Bwzs Do you have your vacation booked this year? Where are you going? Have you ever visited Scotland? When you visit different countries and towns most guide books tell you the "Do's and Don'ts". Do you listen to the rules or do you just do what you want to do? The Japanese - when visiting Scotland - ha...

12

July 2012
Five Things You Should Know About ''the man'' snooping on your digital stuff
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nuMogouSM8 Is it legal for someone to read your email if you don't log out? Do you have to unlock your phone if a police officer asks? Can a private Facebook post be used against you in court? If these are questions that you don't know the answer to then r...

05

July 2012
What would you sell on eBay?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLRzN3m97qE A religious order in the Tuscan countryside has become FRUSTRATED by the lack of interest in their small village TUCKED away in the hills. So they have put the whole thing up for sale on eBay. The village – Pratariccia requires some work but could be yours for €2.5...

05

July 2012
The Bubonic Plague is Back!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIhYDcfsN2I&feature=player_embedded Did you know there has been a man diagnosed recently in America with the Bubonic Plague? A Man lies in CRITICAL condition in a US hospital after being DIAGNOSED from SUFFERING with the Bubonic Plague. The man...

28

June 2012
Smoking at work... more than just a break?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BsggEckcjg Are you a smoker? How many people smoke at your workplace? This video shows some thoughts about smoking in the workplace... Here are some statistics COLLATED in March this year about employees at work taking a “FAG” – cigarette break Two in five of tho...

28

June 2012
Just-In Time!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdadZ_KrZVw Do you have enough time in the day? Ever wish you had more time to do something? What would you do? Have you heard about Justin Timberlake's new movie 'Just in Time' (En Tiempo)? This is a movie about the future where everyone is 25 years old and is about to die or is working for additi...

21

June 2012
Are you a daredevil?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY4XAajKXLs&feature=related Nik Wallenda became a real-life Daredevil over night. On Friday the 15th June he BALANCED on a 51mm wire SUSPENDED 46 meters above one of the world’s most dangerous waters - Niagara Falls. He began his STUNT...

21

June 2012
Potatoes with your car wash?!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Vs-KMuqjI Attracting business is extremely TOUGH in today’s world but it seems that one Madrilenian car wash owner will go to any extreme to get your money. He is offering to wash your car and you can take away a bottle of Rioja, three kilos of potatoes or he will buy you a beer in the bar ...