What Do We Have in Common?

Partners ask each other questions to fill a Venn diagram (or table) with things they share and things unique to each, aiming for ten items in common.

Procedure

1. Explain the aim: make a list of things you and your partner have in common.
2. Draw two intersecting circles (Venn diagram) or a 2x2 table on paper. One section for things only you like, one for things only your partner likes, and the overlap for things you both like.
3. Take turns asking each other questions to fill the diagram. Can also explore things you can/can't do, have/haven't done, want/don't want to do.
4. Model ways of expanding answers by qualifying them or adding details. Encourage your partner to do the same.
5. Keep asking questions until you have ten items in the shared centre space.
6. Summarize your similarities.
7. (Optional) Work on grammar that emerged: yes/no questions, wh-questions, So do I, sentences like I like tennis and so do you.

Tips

• Originally designed for one-to-one teaching; easily adapted to pairs in a classroom.
• For an odd number of students, form one group of three with three intersecting circles.
• Students don't have to limit themselves to likes — daily routines, family details, and past experiences all work.
• Keep the diagram for future reference when creating personalised practice examples.