Topic: Descriptive Writing Starter Idea: Show students a picture or play a short audio clip of a bustling city street or a serene natural landscape. Ask them to jot down as many descriptive words and phrases as they can think of to describe what they see or hear. After a few minutes, have students share their descriptions with a partner or in small groups. Then, as a class, create a word bank on the board and discuss how these descriptive words can be used to enhance their writing.

Topic: Creative Storytelling Starter Idea: Begin by telling students a short, engaging story with an unexpected twist or cliffhanger ending. After finishing the story, ask students to work in pairs or small groups to brainstorm and discuss what they think might happen next. Encourage them to think creatively and come up with different possibilities. Finally, have each group share their ideas with the class, fostering a lively discussion about the importance of imagination and suspense in storytelling.

Topic: Vocabulary Expansion Starter Idea: Provide students with a list of 10-15 words that are commonly misused or confused in English, such as affect/effect, their/there/they’re, or accept/except. Ask students to individually match each word with its correct definition or usage. After a few minutes, have students compare their answers with a partner or in small groups. Then, as a class, go through each word and its correct usage, discussing any common misconceptions or challenges students may have faced. This activity will help reinforce proper word usage and expand their vocabulary.

Topic: Debate and Persuasive Writing Starter Idea: Present students with a thought-provoking statement or question, such as “Should school uniforms be mandatory?” or “Is social media more harmful than beneficial?” Divide the class into two groups, assigning one side to argue in favor of the statement/question and the other side to argue against it. Give students a few minutes to brainstorm their arguments and supporting evidence. Then, facilitate a structured debate where each group presents their arguments and counters the opposing side’s points. This activity will encourage critical thinking, persuasive speaking, and writing skills.

Topic: Reading Comprehension Starter Idea: Choose a short, engaging passage from a book or article that is relevant to the students’ interests or current events. Before reading, ask students to make predictions about what they think the passage will be about based on the title or any accompanying visuals. After reading the passage individually or in pairs, have students discuss their predictions and compare them to the actual content. This activity will help students develop their reading comprehension skills, critical thinking, and ability to make connections between prior knowledge and new information.