“Find someone, who...”

Procedure:

The instructor provides each student with two or three cards with instructions. The instructions are formulated on the cards. For example:

The students move around in the classroom, asking their classmates
the questions from the cards (not formulated, of course: “Does your family hail from a big city in our native country?” etc.). If a student finds a classmate who matches the posed question, s/he notes the person’s name on the corresponding card (or that person writes his/her name on the card). It is possible that several students may sign that same card.
When all the cards have been signed (or when time has run out , e. g.
after 10 minutes), the instructor discusses with the class what new things the students have learned from each other.

Comments:

The instructions should be simple, so that all students find at least one match for the description.
It is also possible to formulate the instructions on 2–3 different proficiency levels, distributed on different colored cards (green = simple, blue = middle level, red = advanced, etc.). The colors will be distributed according to the age and level of the students.
The instructions should be class-specific and appropriate for the students‘ resources in terms of culture and language.
The cards with instructions can also be created by older students.
In order to re-use and prolong the useful life of the cards, they can be laminated or preserved in display pockets.

10 - 20 minutes

1st – 3rd grade 4th – 6th grade 7th – 9th grade

Materials: Cards with instructions, prepared by the instructor (2–3 per student).

Reference: Piel (2002), page 103 (see Bibliographical reference).

Explanations, abbreviations
First language	Also mother tongue or family language: the first language a child has learned and speaks at home. Some children have two first languages.
School language	The language that is spoken in the schools of the host country. In addition, the local dialect may count as an environment language.
Abbreviations	S: Student T: Teacher (instructor)

Legend for indications referencing organizational form, class, time requirements concerning teaching proposals:
	IW = Individual Work
	WP = Working with a partner
	SG = Small Groups
	WC = Whole Class
2nd – 4th grade	Suitable for... to... (e.g. 2nd – 4th grade). Keeping in mind that this designation may vary according to the requirements of the individual students.
20 minutes	Approximate time requirement, e.g. 20 minutes. (Estimated time varies, must be determined by the instructor according to the level and the requirements of the class).

4. “Find someone, who…”