Parties and events, English Template, Novice High

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Amber Hoye, Camille Daw, Mimi Fahnstrom

Please Note: Many of the activities on the Pathways Project OER Repository were created by upper-division students at Boise State University and serve as a foundation that our community of practice can build upon and refine. While they are polished, we welcome and encourage collaboration from language instructors to help modify grammar, syntax, and content where needed. Kindly contact pathwaysproject@boisestate.edu with any suggestions and we will update the content in a timely manner.  — The Pathways Project

Looking for the Spanish Version of this activity to adapt for your language? CLICK HERE

About the Boise State World Languages Resource Center (WLRC) Language Activity Repository

The activities provided by the Boise State World Languages Resource Center (WLRC) serve as foundational activities which can be adapted by any language and scaled up or down on the proficiency scale. Many of these activities offer an English Version that is “language-agnostic” to provide language instructors from around the country a platform to remix these instructional materials, infusing them with their target language and culture! The activities within the Pathways Project OER Repository seek to help students solidify their interpersonal speaking and interpretive skills through task-based situations or communicative activities. These activities should be facilitated in the target language for approximately 90% (or more), per the recommendation of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

How to use the WLRC Repository’s Activities:

1. Use the Activity as is:

Before you begin:

  • Most activities are 30 minutes in duration, unless otherwise specified.
  • Be sure to read through the activity description, and review the list of required materials. You will notice that the activity materials are also highlighted in yellow throughout the activity instructions.

If you have any suggestions about grammar, syntax, and content, please kindly contact pathwaysproject@boisestate.edu

2. Remix for Your Language Classroom:

When you are ready to begin remixing the activity, in order to adapt it for the needs of your language classroom, simply click the blue “Remix This Resource” button at the top of your screen. This will then take you to a screen with a NEW, editable version of this activity. The text provided in purple is a suggestion of what you might say to your students in the target language, and may be altered for different levels and age groups. All activities have “NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do” statements, a warm-up, a main activity, and a wrap-up.

Many of the activities include printable cards and other instructional materials such as Google Slideshows. If you would like to make changes to these materials for your language, follow the instructions below:

  • Google Slideshows:
    • To begin, go to File -> Copy to create an editable version of the slideshow.
    • Once finished with your changes, please complete the following steps to share:
    • Click on Share
    • Who Has Access
    • Ensure link sharing is on and allow external access.
  • Materials Saved as PDF: Please email pathwaysproject@boisestate.edu and we will provide you with an editable copy. Please allow up to two business days for a response. For YouTube videos and other websites, hyperlinks are provided. 

3. Adapt for Another Language:

  • See the linked English Version at the top of the activity (English Version may not be available for all activities)

Parties and events

Description:

Students will talk about fun events and things to do in (target language) speaking countries. They will practice how to reject or accept an invitation, emphasizing a polite way to explain why you can or can't go. They will also decide on ways to discuss what they did at an event or activity with friends. 

Proficiency Level:

Novice High

Keywords:

Parties, events, scenarios, discussion, activities, reasons, conversations

NCSSFL-ACTFL World-Readiness Standards:

  • Standard 1.1 Students engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
  • Standard 1.2 Students understand and interpret spoken and written (target language) on a variety of topics.
  • Standard 1.3 Students present information, concepts, and ideas in (target language) to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
  • Standard 2.1 Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of (target culture)
  • Standard 4.2 Students demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons between (target culture) and their own.

Idaho State World Language Standards:

  • COMM 1.1 - Interact and negotiate meaning (spoken, signed, written conversation) to share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions
  • COMM 2.1 - Understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
  • COMM 3.1 - Present information, concepts, and ideas to inform, explain, persuade, and narrate on a variety of topics using appropriate media in the target language.
  • COMT 1.2 - Discuss personal preferences in activities and events both within and beyond the classroom.

NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements:

  • I can provide a reason as to why I wasn't able to attend an event when speaking to a friend
  • I can talk to a friend about an event I attended and what I did there
  • I can reject an invitation politely. 

Materials Needed:

Slideshow 

Heads Up Cards

Question Cards

Warm-up

1. Begin by introducing the Can-Dos for today’s activity and distributing the “Materials Needed” to each student. Display the Slideshow that will prompt each section of the activity. 

“Today, we are going to chat about some fun events or things to do in Spanish speaking countries! We will practice how to say how to reject or accept an invitation. It's important to remember sometimes you can't go to an event and you need to know how to explain! We will also decide on ways to discuss what you did at an event or activity with friends."

2.  On the slideshow there is a section of images. Students will go through the images and use them to create an excuse for not going to an event. 

“Today, we are going to chat about some fun events or things to do in Chile. First we will practice the act of rejecting an invitation. Remember, sometimes you don't want to or can't attend an event! It is important to for you to know how to explain why. We will also decide how to create an appropriate excuse for an event. We will practice real excuses, be creative and think outside the box!"

If students need some assistance getting the discussion going, use the questions below:  
For example, if we have an image of a dentist, we would say “I couldn't go because I had a cavity or I had too much pain and not enough medicine.”

Main Activity

1. Students will be in pairs and one person will have gone to the event and the other will not be able to go. Each pair will receive a folder that has an event poster on the front, on the inside, there will be a bag of items for those who did go and a bag of items for those who did not go. Students should switch roles and activities after they have completed one event, but remain with the same partner.

“We are going to chat about dates and celebrations!! Today we have a lot of discussion questions and we are going to use these cards on the table in order to help with the discussion.”  
                
2.  Tell your students:

“I have a stack of cards and we are going to take turns choosing a card. The person that chooses the card is going to read it in a loud voice. After, you all are going to answer and participate in a discussion."

3. Use this model for an example:
    1. What is the best place to have a date in Boise?

            1. "In my opinion, the best place to have a date is... because...."

        2. At what age do you want to retire and why?

            1. “I want to retire when I am 50 and move to... because..." 

4. If you finish early, you can ask more questions.

    1. "If you finish early, ask some more questions"

3. After students finish answering questions for each scenario, have them switch. Each student should practice reasons they can or cannot attend an event, what happened, and why.

Wrap-up

Ask students the following questions to finish the lab: 

1. What question was your favorite?

2. What is the best gift you have received? What have you given?

3. What is the easiest way to meet new people?

End of lab:

• Read Can-Do statements once more and have students evaluate their confidence. 
(Use thumbs up/thumbs down or download our student cards.) 
• Encourage students to be honest in their self-evaluation.
• Pay attention, and try to use feedback for future labs!

NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements:

  • I can provide a reason as to why I wasn't able to attend an event when speaking to a friend
  • I can talk to a friend about an event I attended and what I did there
  • I can reject an invitation politely. 

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