Family tree

Daphne, China

It's amazing how students can't stop telling their friends about themselves. I introduced my class of second language learners to the family tree and the different relationships between people in the family - in-laws, step-family, cousins, paternal and maternal sides etc. even terms like widow, widower and divorcee.

Then, I got them to draw their own family tree and share it with their friends, giving 10 minutes each to tell and ask about a particular member in their family, e.g. grandparents, aunts, cousins, siblings etc.

They could hardly stop talking! I'm glad to say that this is one lesson which saw students continuing their discussion even after the bell rang.