Activate Manual

64
Activate: Games for Learning American English
“Player Talk” in TV Talk Show
Communication Tools
Host:
Good evening viewers. It is my pleasure to introduce our special guest(s) today: 
two members of the rock band…
Guest:
[Thank the host and greet the audience.]
Host:
We know your public personality. Tonight, we would like to learn more about the 
real you. Okay?
Guest:
Yes, of course. 
Host:
Thank you. In that case, I would like to ask about [the topic on the card]. How do 
you communicate with your family? 
Guest:
I call them on the phone.
Host:
What about your fans?
Guest:
I usually use Facebook.
The conversation continues.

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65
Activate: Games for Learning American English
DIY! (DO-IT-YOURSELF)
Activate: Games for Learning American English
comes with 24 
Picture This
cards that can be used for a va-
riety of conversation and word games. On one side of the card, there is a title, six small pictures, and 
words or phrases that match the pictures. On the other side, there are six questions or prompts that 
are related to the pictures. Teachers can create their own cards to make the collection specific to the 
content of a class and the level of ability of the class. The homemade cards can then provide a fun way 
to practice a range of important vocabulary, grammatical patterns, and functions in English.
MATERIALS
Use 
small pieces of paper
or cut small rectangles from larger paper to make cards. (Recycled file 
folders or pieces of cardstock are great for this purpose.) The original 
Picture This
cards are 2.75 inches 
(about 7cm) wide and 4.25 inches (about 11cm) long. However, it is not important that all of the cards 
be the same size as the original 
Picture This
cards. 
Each new 
Picture This
card will need about six 
pictures
. Pictures may be hand drawn, cut from old 
magazines, or downloaded from the Internet. You will need glue or tape to affix the pictures onto the 
cards. Finally, you will need