Congratulations

Students write a happy event on a label, pin it on themselves, then circulate congratulating each other using a range of expressions.

Procedure

1. Ask learners to think of the nicest thing that has happened to them recently. They write it on a sticky label or piece of paper.
2. Brainstorm many ways of congratulating people and expressing pleasure. Add your own if the list is sparse.
3. Learners display their happy event by sticking or pinning it on themselves.
4. They circulate, shaking hands and expressing pleasure at each other's good fortune until everyone has congratulated and been congratulated.

Example language: Brilliant! I'm really pleased you've got a part in the school play. Well done — I'm delighted to hear you drove on the motorway for the first time. Congratulations! I'm so happy your rabbit is well again.

Tips

• Also teach ways of acknowledging congratulations: Thank you!, That's so kind of you, etc.
• Extension: after the initial congratulation, students continue talking — asking for and giving more details.
• Variation: pair learners, each thinks of a simple personal achievement (e.g., "I managed not to mislay my glasses all week"). They write a short congratulatory message to their partner, making it as complimentary as possible.