The document provides 10 activities for English language teachers to get to know their learners' needs, interests, and preferences at the beginning of a course. These include having learners write personal profiles, do classroom surveys, introduce each other in pairs or small groups, and anonymously provide feedback on what they like or don't like to help guide lesson planning. Understanding learners in this way allows teachers to better support them throughout the class.

1. Professional Practices For English Language Teaching
Professional Practices for English Language Teachers
© British Council, 2015
Week 1 Understanding your learners
1.5 Getting to know you activities
Try these ten activities to better understand your learners’ needs, interests and
preferences:
1. Ask learners to write personal profiles and post them on the classroom wall
2. Do a needs analysis at the beginning of the year / at the beginning of a course
3. Ask learners to do classroom surveys
4. Keep records of learner strengths / weaknesses / participation as you find out
during each class
5. Do a whole class mingle (where everyone stands up and speaks to other
learners), where learners ask each other questions (about interests, hobbies, etc.)
6. Play ‘I like’ – ask learners to stand in the middle of the room, ask a question e.g. ‘I
like working in groups’, ‘I like sports’. If they agree, they run to one side of the
room, if they disagree they run to the other (make sure you tell them which side
before you start!). Make a note of the class preferences as you play the game.
7. Ask learners to introduce each other
8. Ask learners to interview and then write a profile of their partner (you can
provide the questions to get the information that you need)
9. Ask learners to (anonymously) write things they like and don’t like on pieces of
paper. Place two bags at the front of class. Learners drop in their papers at the
end of the class.
10. Ask learners to suggest topics or activities for class – anonymously or in groups