Racing to English

Contents by Step & Teaching Order

This document lists all the activities on the Racing to English CD.

The activities are grouped in steps - about half a dozen activities in each one. Each step focuses on one or two language areas. I have tried to put the easiest language areas at the beginning, so this document also suggests the order in which to teach particular language items and in which to use the activities. However, this is only a suggestion - THERE IS NO CORRECT ORDER IN WHICH TO TEACH A LANGUAGE. It is important to think about the language that your pupils/students need rather than slavishly following someone else's ideas.

Numeracy

Racing to English includes some numeracy activities. Some are included in the steps with other activities, but most are in the folders called Maths. These activities can be introduced at various points depending on the age and educational level of your pupils/students.

Pronunciation

Racing to English also includes some pronunciation exercises which can be important for older learners. These may be needed at different points in a learner's acquisition of English and are therefore in a separate folder

Picture dictionary

Racing to English includes 50 photosets. Each photoset includes one or two pages from the Racing to English picture dictionary.

NOTE

Each activity will need to be used several times and it is useful to revisit them periodically even after you think your pupils/students have learnt the language involved.

Step 1

Naming - singular

Key Language areas

Giving personal information What's your name/school/class?

Naming objects - singular What's this? Is it a ….? Yes it is/No it isn't.

Vocabulary Classroom objects - pen, pencil, felt tip, table, door, scissors, rubber, etc. People - boy girl man woman baby Animals basic - cat dog horse etc.

Activities for Step 1
	NOTE: Ensure learners know key items e.g. toilet, classroom, teacher, and can answer questions like “What's your name? Where do you live? What group/class are you in?”
	First steps: Dialogue: Who are you? - What's your name/ school/class? Multigame real objects
	Classroom objects photoset
	People Singular Photoset
	6 Animals Photoset
	Wordsearches for Step 1

Other language areas that could be taught at this time:

School/college vocabulary toilet, hall, classroom, teacher, dinner time, playground,

Greetings/social language hello, goodbye, please, thank you,

Instructions e.g. stand up, sit down, get a felt tip, hang up your coat,

Step 2

Naming - plural

Key Language areas

Giving personal information What's your surname?

Naming objects - plural What are these? Are they XXXs? Yes they are/No they aren't.

Asking for things Can I have a XXX?

vocabulary People (plural) - boys girls men women babies Fruit and Veg (basic) - apples, carrots etc.

	Activities for Step 2
	Dialogue: Who are you? - What's your first name/surname?
	Plurals photoset
	People Plural - Basic Photoset
	Fruit & Veg 1 - Basic Photoset
	Dialogue - Can I
	Wordsearches for Step 2

Other language areas that could be taught at this time:

Asking for things cont. Can I have a/some …. please? Can I go to …. please? “Do you want ….?” Yes please/No thank you.

Step 3

Have got Face & body

Key Language areas

Giving personal info - age

Possession - Have you got two mouths?

Vocabulary: Face - mouth, eyes, nose, teeth, etc. Body - arm, hand, finger, leg, foot/feet,

	Activities for Step 3
	Dialogue: Who are you - What's your address? Where do you live?
	Body parts Photoset (foot, arm, back, fingers, etc)
	Body parts dominoes
	Face Pairs (eyes/ears/nose/hair)
	Face Photoset
	Face Connect 4 (glasses/hair/beard/hat)
	Wordsearches for Step 3

Step 4

Has got Colours & clothes Family 1

Key Language areas

Possession - I've got a blue shirt. Has she got a green coat?

Vocabulary Clothes - trousers, shirt, skirt, coat, Colours - red green blue yellow black Flower parts - stem leaves roots

	Activities for Step 4
	Dialogue: Who are you? - How old are you?
	Family 1 - mother/brother/etc.
	Clothes Basic Photoset
	Guess Which Boy
	Guess Which Girl
	Guess Which Flower
	Guess Which Robot
	Word-searches for Step 4

Step 5

Food Likes and dislikes

Key Language areas

Expressing likes/dislikes - Do you like ….? I don't like …

Asking for things Would you like a XXX? Do you want a? Yes please/No thank you.

Vocabulary -: Dining room - knife/fork/table/ etc. Food - vegetables (carrots, potatoes, etc.) fruit (apples oranges, etc.) Packaging - jar, bottle, carton, etc.

	Activities for Step 5
	House - Dining Room Photoset
	Fruit Photoset (apples/oranges/strawberries/etc.)
	Vegetables Photoset (potato/cucumber/tomato/etc.)
	Supermarket Photoset
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse and the biscuits
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse puppets
	Dialogue - would you like a ____?
	Wordsearches for step 5

Other language areas that could be taught at this time:

Describing objects using common adjectives - big small hot cold happy sad

Polite English - I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Offering - Do you want/Would you like a cup of tea?

Step 6

Actions

Key Language areas

Naming common actions What are you/is she doing? I'm jumping, running, walking, etc. Is she writing? Are they walking?

Vocabulary Actions - walking, holding, crying, etc.

	Activities for Step 6
	Actions 1 Photoset (He's standing)
	Actions 2 Photoset (She's driving)
	Actions 3 Photoset (He's riding a motorbike, etc.)
	Actions 4 - Cartoon Animals (the hippo is dancing)
	Actions 5 - Statues (This is a statue of a man who is holding a sword)
	Mime and Guess (actions/is doing)
	The “Can You?” track
	Wordsearches for Step 6

Step 7

Family 2 House & rooms

Key Language areas

Possession It's Ben's mouth. He's Tony's cousin.

Locating objects Is it in/on/under? There's a XXX in the XXX

Vocabulary House - rooms and furniture Family relationships - grandmother, nephew, etc.

	Activities for Step 7
	Possession - Jo's, Ben's or Fido's
	Family 2 (grandmother, uncle, etc)
	Prepositions 1 (in/on/under)
	Bedroom Photoset
	Living Room Photoset
	Kitchen Photoset
	Bathroom Photoset
	House and Rooms Connect 4
	Wordsearches for Step 7

Step 8

Vehicles & street Clothes

Key Language areas

Vocabulary Vehicles - car, taxi, lorry, etc Park - bench, swings, ducks Street - traffic lights, hedge, bus stop Clothes - men/women

	Activities for Step 8
	Vehicles photoset
	Park Photoset
	Street Photoset
	Clothes (men's) Photoset
	Clothes (women's) Photoset
	wordsearches for Step 8

Step 9

Narrating - intro to past tense

Key Language areas

Introduction to past tense I went, He saw me, Did you/they What did she

	Activities for Step 9
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse 1
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse 2
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse 3
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse 4
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse 5
	Billy, Milly, Maisy and Bob - alternative intro to past tense for older learners
	“Did you?” Question Track

NOTE The stories in this step are designed to introduce the simple past tense. The stories about Eek-eek-eek the mouse and his friends may be more suitable for younger learners. The stories about Billy, Milly, Maisy and Bob may be more suitable for older learners.

Step 10

Narrating Story File 1

Key Language areas

Narrating stories and reporting incidents using the simple past tense I went, He hit me, … Red Riding Hood saw/took/said Did you/they …? What did she do?

Vocabulary from stories esp. emotions: scared/sad/hurt/worried/angry/frightened

	Activities for Step 10
	Story File - Scared of a dog
	Story File - The Lost Watch
	Story File - I fell in the road.
	Story File - Baby and penny
	Story File - Snake in chicken house
	Story File - Broken glass
	Story File - At the river
	Story File - My brother threw a brick

Step 11

Narrating Story File 2

Key Language areas

Narrating stories & reporting incidents using the simple past tense (2)

Vocabulary from stories

	Activities for Step 11
	Story File - Lost Rings
	Story File - The Key
	Story File - Hot Water
	Story File - Fishing
	Story File - Motor-Scooter in House
	Story File - The Banana Tree
	Story File - Linh Tam & the Crocodile
	Story File - My Friend's Bicycle

Step 12

Do/Does

Key Language areas

Regular activities: Identifying everyday actions using the simple present tense - she watches television, he washes his clothes

Vocabulary days of the week more clothes adverbials of time - before/after, in the evening, in the summer, when it's cold.

	Activities for Step 12
	Clothes Market Photoset
	Clothes Connect 4
	Do you? Pairs
	Do you? Connect 4
	Days of the Week (before/after)
	Saturdays with Billy/Milly/Maisy/Bob
	Days at the Zoo
	When do you wear (Question Track)
	Cog the camel 1
	Cog the camel 2
	Cog the camel 3
	Cog the camel 4
	Cog the camel 5

Step 13

Animals Do/Does 2

Key Language areas

Constant truths e.g. Lions eat meat,

Vocabulary Animals: domestic/farm cat, dog, horse, etc. wild - elephant, lion, shark, whale,

	Activities for Step 13
	Animals Photoset (pet/farm)
	Animals Photoset (wild)
	Animal parts - Photoset
	Animal lives Connect 4
	Animal Classification Connect 4
	Animal Sets Connect 4

Step 14

Do/Does 3

Key Language areas

Describing regular events/constant truths - the leaves fall off the trees in autumn. you knock in nails with a hammer Describing people

Vocabulary Types of houses, external parts of a house (bungalow, terraced house, chimney, window, etc.) Seasons. Occupations People - old young, grey, beard, etc. Tools - hammer, nails, screw driver

	Activities for Step 14
	Types of Houses Photoset
	Occupations Photoset
	The seasons photoset
	The seasons Connect 4
	States of Matter Connect 4
	Guess Which Person
	Tools Photoset
	Tools Connect 4

Step 15

Narrating Story File 3

Key Language areas

Narrating stories and reporting incidents using the simple past tense (3)

	Activities for Step 15
	Story File - Chasing a Camel
	Story File - The Scorpion
	Story File - The Football Match
	Story File - In the River
	Story File - The Thief
	Story File - The spider in the shoe
	Story File - The Blind Old Man

Step 16

Position & direction

Key Language areas

Position in, on, under, in front of, between, behind, Direction towards, away from, into, out of

	Activities for Step 16
N/A	COPY OF Prepositions 1 - in/on/under photoset
	Photoset - Prepositions 2 (in front of, between, behind)
	Preposition Picture Pairs (In front of, behind, towards, away from)
	Dialogue Directions
	Describe and Draw 1 (left/right/above/below)
	Describe and Draw 2 (in front/behind/away/towards)
	Describe and Draw 3 (left/right/underneath/etc.)
	Describe and Draw 4 (top right hand corner, towards the middle)
	Describe and Draw 5 (alphabet, shapes, position)
	Describe and Draw 6 - faces
	Guess Which - Position & Direction
	Pairs - Opposite Prepositions (use as appropriate) -

NOTE All the activities that focus on position and direction have all been put in the same step so that they are easy to locate. However, it is unlikely that you will want to use them consecutively. For most learners the activities are best used individually whilst you are teaching other steps.

Step 17

Have done Has done

Key Language areas

Talking about the recent past, etc. using “Have/Has” - I've already paid for my ticket, he hasn't eaten any lunch, I've never seen a boa constrictor, etc

	Activities for Step 17
	Eek-eek-eek and the watch 1
	Eek-eek-eek and the watch 2
	Eek-eek-eek and the watch 3
	Dialogue - What's the matter?
	Eek-eek-eek the mouse forgotten
	Maisy “Have you forgotten?”

Step 18

Have/Has done 2

Key Language areas

As step 17 - Talking about the recent past, etc. using “have/has” - I've already paid for my ticket, he hasn't eaten any lunch, I've never seen a lion

Vocabulary Vehicle parts - wheel, tyre, etc. Holidays - beach, sea, etc. Funfair - dodgems, big wheel, candy floss, etc.

	Activities for Step 18
	Holidays Photoset
	Funfair Photoset
	Vehicles “Have you ever?”
	Vehicle parts Photoset
	Vehicles Connect 4
	Train Travel Photoset
	“Have you ever?” Question Track

Step 19

Future - going to

Key Language areas

Future using going to - What are you going to do Making arrangements - would you like to

vocabulary Weather - rain/rainy, sun/sunny, cloud, wind, freezing, hot, cold, etc

	Activities for Step 19
	Mog is going to run away
	Maisy is going to
	“Going to” Question Track
	Weather Photoset
	Dialogue - Would you like to

Step 20

Comparing

Key Language areas

Comparing Are you taller/older than XXX? Is X cheaper than Y? Is Mars nearer the Sun than Venus? These jeans are too tight.

	Activities for Step 20
	Longer than
	Older or younger
	Comparing costs 1
	Comparing costs 2
	Comparing question track
	Solar System Connect 4
	Dialogue - exchanging things

Other language areas that could be taught at this time:

Superlatives -. Who's the oldest? It's the longest As … as - it's not as good as, etc.

Step 21

Describing

Key Language areas

Materials/made of - it's made of leather/glass/plastic/etc.

Language of description and position cont.

	Activities for Step 21
	Materials/made of Photoset
	Spot the difference 1 - Saucepan, car and book
	Spot the difference 2 - Driveway
	Spot the difference - Man
	Spot the difference - On the table 1
	Spot the difference - On the table 2
	Spot the difference traffic lights 1
	Spot the difference traffic lights 2
	Pairs - Opposite Adjectives 1
	Pairs - Opposite Adjectives 2
	Pairs - Opposite Adjectives 3

Step 22

Writing/narrating

Key Language areas

This step provides some support and stimuli for writing. See also “Writing Frames” in the multi level section

	Activities for Step 22
	Story Prompts 1
	Story Prompts 2
	Story Prompts 3
	Story Prompts 4

Step 23

True Stories 1

Key Language areas

Narrating stories and reporting incidents using both the simple past and other tenses including “could”

	Activities for Step 23
	Clive Sinclair
	Rosa Parks
	Dictionary - Rosa Parks
	Taj Mahal
	Dictionary - Taj Mahal
	Boycott
	Dictionary - Boycott
	Mahatma Gandhi
	Dictionary - Mahatma Gandhi

Step 24

Passive True Stories 2

Key Language areas

Narrating (passive) It was built. He was buried It has been knocked over.

	Activities for Step 24
	London Photoset
	Tutankhamen
	Dictionary - Tutankhamen
	Has been done - Photoset & story
	Food chain rummy

Step 25

Could True Stories 3

Key Language areas

Ability (past) - he could/couldn't Could you run when you were 2? Einstein couldn't spell

	Activities for Step 25
	Could you? question track
	Einstein could
	Dictionary - Einstein
	Emily Davison

Step 26

Had done True Stories 4

Key Language areas

Had done (past perfect) Lenny hadn't told his mother. A new species had evolved.

	Activities for Step 26
	Rescue helicopter (had done)
	Lenny Henry hadn't
	Dictionary - Lenny Henry
	Cholera
	Dictionary - Cholera
	Charles Darwin

Step 27

Maps & Geography

Key Language areas

language of maps and geography

	Activities for Step 27
	Geography definitions
	South America - Guess Which Country
	Africa Guess Which Country
	Eastern Europe Guess Which Country
	South Western Europe - Guess Which Country

Step 28

Miscellaneous

	Activities for Step 28
	Food Connect 4
	Gardening & Plants Pairs
	Greek Words Connect 4
	Verbs: Opposite Pairs
	Digestion - flow chart rummy
	“What would happen?” track
	Dialogue: What will you be doing?

Maths 1

Numeracy 1

Key Language areas

Counting /Addition/Subtraction/Money

	Activities
	Count to 10 Multigame
	Count to 20 Multigame
	Addition track
	Take away track
	Add take away track
	Add/take away words track
	Money photoset
	Money - “How much?” max 20p
	Money - “How much?” max £5
	Money Tracks

Maths 2

Numeracy 2

Key Language areas

Telling the time What time is it? It's quarter past 5, etc.

Vocabulary/ Numeracy - language of computation (plus add, more/less, divide, etc.)

	Activities
	Numeracy Multigame
	More than/less than track
	language of addition and subtraction track
	Addition Speaking Maths worksheet
	Multiplying Multigame
	Multiplication Speaking Maths worksheet
	Sum, difference, product track
	Time Pairs
	Time problems
	Distances

Maths 3

Shapes Fractions

Key Language areas

Vocabulary/ Shapes - triangle, square, circle, Fractions

	Activities
	Shape pairs
	Shape Monsters Connect 4 (circular/hexagonal/rectangular/etc.)
	Describe & Draw Shape Monsters
	Fractions (shapes) Connect 4
	Fractions (numbers) Connect 4
	Fractions - Speaking Maths worksheet
	Shapes Quiz

Maths 4		Speaking Maths Language Friendly Worksheets
	Altogether/each
	Change
	Money - If I had …
	Posting Parcels (costs of )
	Percentages 1
	Percentages 2
	Share equally - Each
	Swimming Pool - lengths/widths
	Twice as much

Multi-level Activities
Activities that can be used at many levels - especially blanks for you & your students to use to develop your own activities
	The Multigame
	What/Where/Why Question Track
	Pairs Blank
	Question Track Blank
	Connect 4 Blank
	Writing Frames/Book Review
	Book review question track This track can be used for any story & can be used many times but it is listed only once

Pronunciation, spelling etc.
	Alphabet (saying the)
	b or p
	f or th
	final sounds
	i or ee
	l or r
	p or f
	Phonic Track
	S blends
	S blends (2)
	s or sh
	to or th
	vowels 1
	vowels 2

Advice for Staff

	Contents by Step and Teaching Order
	Contents by type
	Summary of contents
	Beginners
	Bilingualism
	Race - I Cried by Denise Williams
	Race - So you think you're an anti-racist (Gorski)
	Reading in a Second Language - a series of 8 short papers
	Recording activities used
	Resource Suggestions
	TEACHERS NOTES - Photosets
	TEACHERS NOTES - Story File

Other language items that need to be taught but which are not covered in the CD:

Obligation - must should ought to

Measuring -How heavy is it? How much does it weigh? How hot is it?

Possibility - may could might

Reported speech - he said he had ….

Future using will - What will happen next?

Same/different

Racing to English © Gordon Ward Advice for Staff: Contents by Step

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