Teaching English with a Mirror Here’s a lesson plan aimed at Intermediate level students of English as a Second Language. As the students gather for the lesson, there are several mirrors on display in the classroom, and/or the teacher has a number of pictures prepared with mirrors in them.

Greeting! An essential part of every class is the way in which the class or individual is greeted – get it right, put the class at ease and involve everyone from the start. Maybe a mime of ‘getting ready’ in front of the mirror in front of the class would be a good (amusing) starter? Remember to use names and eye-contact!
Pass a mirror around the class, asking each student in turn to study his or her reflection. Ask a series of (different) questions about themselves as the mirror passes – what colour eyes do you have?; how would you describe yourself?; and so on. Once it has passed, ask the group what different situations you might use a mirror for.
Tell the story of Snow White, obviously with heavy emphasis on the magic mirror! You can do this with pictures if it helps you!
Ask the class, in small groups, to prepare a short modern day version of the tale – maybe losing the dwarves for simplicity’s sake! How about telling the story from the Mirror’s point of view?
Get each group to perform their piece for the rest of the class!
Essentials here include the group work – on the basis that if you involve people they will understand (simply telling someone something doesn’t really work!); repetition; and a sense of fun – you tend to remember something better if you have a laugh whilst learning!

Andrew is a qualified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher, with 15 years experience of the global Automotive Industry as a Sales manager with an International component and systems supplier. For more information about learning English with Andrew at his home in the UK, visit the Lets Talk 2 website. http://lets-talk2.com/_wsn/page2.html