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Information Gap

Overview

Each student has different information, and they must communicate clearly to complete a task.

Learning Objective
Students practise asking and answering questions to share missing information.

Resources needed

  • Simple notes or prompts

Lesson stages

0 / 8 done
  1. 1 Explain that each student will have different information and must speak to their partner to complete the task.
  2. 2 Give each student a different set of information, either written or spoken quietly.
  3. 3 Ask students to look at their information and think about what they need to find out.
  4. 4 Students begin asking questions to their partner to complete the missing parts.
  5. 5 Encourage them to use full questions and listen carefully to the answers.
  6. 6 Monitor pairs and support students who are unsure how to ask questions.
  7. 7 After completing the task, ask pairs to compare their answers.
  8. 8 Finish by discussing which questions were most useful and why.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Use maps or schedules.
  • Limit the number of questions.
  • Turn into a game.
More information

Teach: ask, answer, information, question, repeat.

Provide question starters.

Do students ask clear and meaningful questions?

Use spoken-only information.

Students may show answers instead of speaking.

Information gap tasks create real communication needs.

Activity details
Secondary Medium 20 minutes low prep Pairs Indoor
Topics
Speaking Listening