Microsoft Word M03 How To Teach Speaking 2002-03. doc

Ranking activities 

In ranking activities students are required to put the items from a given list into an order of 

importance or preference. This rearranging phase is usually followed by a period of discussion 

when students explain or defend their choice. One of the best known of these activities is 

"Castaway" in which students have to choose the most essential items to survive on a desert 

island for three months.  A standard procedure for ranking activities is as follows: 

1.  Familiarise the students with the task through oral presentation. Arouse their interest and 

go through key words. 

2.  The students work individually and write down their solutions. Set a time limit. 

3.  The lists are compared and discussed in small groups. 

 

 

 

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