This describe and draw activity is a fun way to get students talking. It’s a great speaking activity at the beginning of the term or also as a substitute lesson. You can basically use it in any lesson that is designed to get your students’ talking.

Students’ work in pairs. They arrange the cards face down on the table in front of them and pick them up alternatingly. The student that picks up the first card tries to describe what he/she is seeing. The partner must draw what he/she is hearing. After that, they compare the student’s drawing to the original drawing which is always a great source of fun.

My students always have great fun doing this activity and everyone can describe according to their own proficiency.