Project or write 5 common words. Students cannot say the word; they must explain it. Example: Coffee ✔ You drink it in the morning. ✔ It helps you wake up. ✔ People buy it at Starbucks. NOT: ❌ Coffee ❌ Café Words: Umbrella Passport Refrigerator Elevator Backpack After a few examples, students play in pairs.

Tell students: Native speakers don't know every word either. Good communicators don't stop talking—they find another way to explain. Teach strategies such as: Describe its appearance. Explain its function. Compare it to something else. Give examples. Use synonyms. Use gestures only if necessary. Ask questions to confirm understanding.

Useful expressions: It's something you use to... It's similar to... You usually find it... People use it when... Imagine that... It looks like...

Taboo Use classic Taboo rules. Example: Vacation Forbidden words: Travel Beach Hotel Airplane Holiday Other examples: Restaurant Phone Gym Doctor Birthday Shopping Mall Rain Wedding Coffee Students work in teams. Guess the Object The teacher places several everyday objects in a bag (or uses picture cards). Students describe the object without naming it. Examples: Keys Sunglasses Water bottle Wallet Earbuds Notebook Flashlight Umbrella Encourage classmates to ask yes/no questions to narrow down the possibilities. Lost in Translation Partners receive a situation where they are not allowed to use one key word. Example: You need to explain: sunscreen (without saying sun, cream, or skin) headphones elevator receipt calendar flashlight microwave backpack The goal is to keep the conversation going until the partner guesses correctly.

Ask students: Which communication strategy helped you the most today? When did you have to "talk around" a word? Which activity was the most challenging? What's one new phrase you'll try to use next time?