"Hi, how are you?. I'm fine thank you, and you?" Does it sound so cliché? We, Coach Development team, found this often in classes. There is nothing wrong with those sentences, but the 'lead-in' section is one of the important activities for the coach to start the class! 

We would like to introduce you to a 'Lead-in' tricks for warming up or using as a starter, especially for kid's classes. If you having a difficult time in the lead-in section or wanted to spice up your classes a bit, we have some suggestions for you.

Lead-in Characteristic

- 3-5 minutes at the beginning of the new lesson 

- Choose an interesting and enjoyable activity 

- Related to the lesson topic and be useful to continue the class. 

- Prepare students for a period of concentration.

 

 

 

Building a connection between students and learning material if learners find that a task is related to their learning needs, they will perform the task with higher effort. But their performance level will be minimum when the task is irrelevant to their needs. Murphy (2002)

What is the advantage of it?

For students: Lead-in activities help them start the class easier, feel more motivated when using a topic as small talk as well as it is not stressful.

For Coaches: Lead-in is the connection between the coach, class content, and the student. It helps the coaches to catch student's attention and it is always exciting to start the class. 

The must-try tricks for lead-in 

There are many techniques for lead-in that each coach can use and adapt! In case you want to spice up the class. bit, pick some of these activities, and feel free to use them with your students. 

1. Using Pictures

It is one of the simplest ways and it is commonly used for the lead-in. Using pictures that related to the lesson can give the student some ideas and help the coach to start the class easier. For example, you may use a picture of famous dishes from any country and let the student guess the taste of it or a picture of fa funny crying crocodile for an idiom lesson. 

2. Dress up for a topic 

It sounds like a theme for Halloween's party where you dress up and present yourself as a ghost, but her you present the topic! If you live props, we would highly recommend having a designated box to store all of your "teaching props" AKA your "prop box". We found that students live when coaches enjoy going above and beyond to have a good time with them.  

3. Do you know what is today's topic?

This is a very common question to ask for a student's reaction, but there is nothing wrong with the question. Try some of these questions and sprinkle it with your creativity!

- "Pad Kra Pao looks so yummy but I cannot eat spicy food! Can you eat spicy food?"

- What will make you unhappy when you eat at a restaurant?

- Have you had breakfast yet? Did your mom cook for you or your dad?

- If I have a chance to go to Thailand, what would you recommend/want me to eat?

4. Eliciting vocabulary 

This trick is useful for vocabulary, coming up with the words, or even review at the end of the class. Instead of asking students for the definition, the coach gives students a definition and let them come up with the word. It should be a simple and clear explanation for them to guess. You can pick the definition from the vocabulary as it contains an easy explanation as well. A synonym is another trick for eliciting vocabulary. The opposite words as an Antonym can help as well. 

- Where you can sit on the horse with friends, running around in the circle?

- My job is I can go to many countries. Travel to many places and work on the plane!

- I can buy vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, and flowers here. I always go with my mom. 

5. What if 

This activity can be a bit too challenging for students in Globish Kids part 1-2, but what if they can. For example;

- What if you have am airplane ticker to go anywhere, where do you want to go?

- What if you become a teacher, which subject do you want to teach?

- What if you are lost, what would you do?

- If I meet an alien, I will ask him to be my friend, and you?

What-if questions help students to think outside the box and use critical thinking. 

How was it? We hope these tricks will be implemented in the class and we hope you love it! It is also useful for any classes whether are kids, General or Business, as long as it is suitable. Don't hesitate to use it with some of the adult students as well, they might love it too! 

Enjoy teaching at Globish,