You Tell Me & I Will Tell You 

is an oral multi-skill activity that can be used in any context at any level.

Keywords

Individual challenge

Pairwork

Cognitive Training

Vocabulary

Timed

Fun

Quick

Variable levels

No Preparation Required

STAGE 1

The teacher pairs students to A and B then times the activity to keep the students on task.

Students are allowed 2 Minutes to talk about their favourite “sth” ever

Example >> Students talk for 2 minutes about their Favourite Holiday Ever.

• Both students have 2 minutes to talk about the topic at the same time
• Try to maintain eye-contact while speaking.
• They MUST NOT STOP SPEAKING until the time is up.
• Try to remember what the other is saying so that they can repeat back later.

Super fast students need to slow down and concentrate to help their partner.

Advanced level students can add in extra details to test their partners.

ALL Students must continue speaking until the time is up

Stage 2

• After the 2 Minutes time has ended student B tells student A what they just said for around 1 minute. (Reported Speech)
• Student A may not add more details during the reporting time, they can simply confirm “Yes, that’s right”, or “No, that’s incorrect”.
• Student A can keep count of the number of things that the partner got correct by counting on their fingers and then revealing how many were correct at the request of the teacher. Hold up your hands and show me how many correct answers by showing your fingers
• SWITCH ROUND
• Next student A tells student B what they just said for around 1 minute. (Reported Speech)
• Student B may not add more details during the reporting time, they can simply confirm “Yes, that’s right”, or “No, that’s incorrect”.
• Student B can keep count of the number of things that the partner got correct by counting on their fingers and then revealing how many were correct at the request of the teacher. Hold up your hands and show me how many correct answers by showing your fingers

*If you allow time for additions or corrections, the fun will dwindle. It is best to strictly instruct students to complete the task, then later if they wish to continue the conversation later, they can.

Pairings can be of a similar level or varied in order to help them get to know the techniques and strategies of a stronger student.

The teacher must strictly control the time. All pairs start and finish speaking at the same time.

Stage 3

Teachers and students can take time to discuss anything that may come up, especially corrections.

• In a class of any size you can partner students to make this activity work.
• If you have a third member you can have them choose 2 speakers and the others report.
• Ideally, this is done with a sense of inclusivity so that all can enjoy and engage.
• The activity does not need to be repeated, but it can be with a switch of partners.
• Mannerisms can be pointed out and alternate suggestions made

The Rationale

1. Students are challenged to speak under pressure.
2. Students speak in pairs or tiny groups.
3. Students have to listen while speaking and activating their brains. (Multi-tasking)
4. New ideas and experiences of others are introduced. 
5. Students quickly understand the importance of turn-taking to get better understanding
6. The Activity is Fun and Easy
7. There is pressure of proximity.
8. This activity is great to understand that 2 speakers must not speak over others.
9. All athletes need to know their limitations and so should communicators.
10. Teachers can try this activity with no preparation, other than a timer.
11. Lessons benefit with this way of focusing students.
12. This is an in-class activity and does not work well online.

Speaking, Listening, Cognitive Training, Multi-tasking, Counting, & Memorising, all in one activity.