A Conversation Idea - How Do You

Kill Time?

Level: Medium
Here is a simple idea to generate
chat among your students. We all
know
that there are moments during the
day when we have nothing to do, no
plans.
For example, when you are waiting
for a teacher, a friend and so on.
How do
we occupy these periods of time,
either mentally or physically? For
example:

Activity A
What do you do during the TV
advertisements?

Make a list of what the students say

(My students got these)

Talk to my sister
I read something, anything
I get up and do something
I go to the bathroom (!)
I change channels
I look for something to eat or read
I call a friend
I water the plants
I put on some food for the next day
I phone Pizza Hut
I put the children to bed
I brush my teeth
I unload the washing machine/put
clothes on line
I rush to do the washing-up

You can also get the students to tick

off the ones which they regularly do
and check the most common
activities
Activity B

Ways to pass the time/occupy your

mind/self when you are:

1. In a bus queue
2. Waiting at a supermarket
check-out
3. In a doctor's waiting-room
4. Waiting for your
husband/wife/mother/father/bro/si
s or friend on a cold day-outdoors
5. In a cinema/theatre, waiting for
the film/play
 6. In a traffic jam
7. In an airport/train station
8. In a lift/elevator
9. Getting your hair done/cut
10. Waiting for my turn in the
bathroom
11. Waiting for my teacher
12. Waiting for the exam

Submitted by Gerard Counihan