Before introducing new words to the students, it's always good to start class with a hello. A longer and more complicated greeting conversation would be even better, with the teacher asking, "How are you?" so that the students respond with how they are feeling: "I'm happy/hungry/sleepy," or simply "I'm fine, thank you."
Thank You Introduction
The teacher can begin by reviewing previously studied objects: animals, for example (see ESL Basic Animals Lesson). Repeating previously studied vocabulary will make for a good transition into the new lesson content.
- After placing previously studied animals on the board, the teacher should choose one student to select one animal, asking the student, “What animal do you like?”
- Once the student answers the question correctly – "I like tiger(s)," for example – the teacher gives the student the appropriate card.
- Repeating after the teacher, the student says “Thank you.”
- The entire class should mimic the proper pronunciation of "Thank you," several times.
- As necessary, the teacher can translate "Thank you," into the students' native language.
- With words and gestures as necessary, the recipient of the card is prompted to pass the animal card to the person behind him, and the receiving student should say “Thank you."
- The card continues around the room until everyone has received it and said “Thank you.”
It’s good for the teacher to receive the card a few times – between rows, for example – and have the whole class say “Thank you” together, in order to keep students from gradually repeating non-native pronunciation.
- The students are then ready for a quick game.
- Essentially, the activity is repeated; the card progresses in the opposite direction through the class, back to the first student, and the activity is timed.
The teacher should follow after the card, to make sure that the students are pronouncing "Thank you" accurately. If a student does not say, "Thank you," then the teacher should stop the card's movement until the offending student pronounces the word correctly.
- The card is passed through one last time; can students improve their times?
Please Introduction
- After applauding the students for a good effort during the activity, the teacher should approach the student holding the card and say, “(That animal you're holding) please.” A begging gesture will help drive home the meaning of the word "Please."
- Students mimic the teacher's pronunciation of "Please" several times.
- As appropriate, the teacher can translate the word into the students' native language.
- Once the students understand the meaning, the teacher should point to the available animal cards on the board and ask the students again, "What animal do you like?"
- If a student answers, "I like dog(s)," then the teacher should say, "Say 'Dog, please.'"
- Once the student says, "Dog, please," then the teacher can pass on the card.
- After repeating the process for two more students, the teacher should approach another student and ask for something silly. For example, "Shoes, please," or "Chocolate, please," requesting objects in English the students might recognize.
- As necessary, the requests can be directly translated into the students' native language. Supposing that the student (does not have and) does not want to give the teacher the requested item(s), the student should give an emphatic "No!'
- After asking a few more students, the teacher has the entire class stand; students should begin requesting things from their classmates. The requestees can either give up the requested items, or give an emphatic "No!"
- After minute, the students should return to their usual seating arrangement.
Please and Thank You Race
- The class is rewarded for concentration and participation with the announcement of a game.
- Dividing the class in half, based on seating arrangement, one student from each half chooses his or her favorite animal.
- Each half of the class is named a team, based on the chosen animal, and the appropriate animal card is given to a student on each team.
- For example, if Dog is chosen on one side, the first member of the Dog Team would have told the teacher, “Dog please.”
- The teacher then gives the student the Dog card, and the student should say, “Thank you.”
- The second student on the Dog Team then requests, “Dog please," and the card is passed.
- With the "(Animal) please/ Thank you" conversation, the card passes through each team respectively.
- The first team to finish, with a "Thank you," from the team's final recipient, is the winner.
- If possible, it's good to have two teachers for this game, one to monitor each team.
Once the rules are clear, everyone stands, and the game starts.
- The game can be repeated in the opposite direction, to give the losing team a second chance.
Class ends with the teacher telling the students goodbye, and having the class return the goodbye.
The teacher should then be able to leave the classroom with the satisfaction of thoroughly teaching the students very useful words using simple activities that can be fun for both elementary school students and teachers alike. The basic polite speech is an excellent base to build from, to be used in subsequent lessons.
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