Brainstorming Task
speakingfluencycommunicationwarmersmall-groupnone prep10-15 minTBLT
Students generate a list of items on a topic — the simplest TBT task type, but the linguistic challenge scales with what you ask them to list.
Procedure
- Introduce the topic with a brief priming phase (pictures, personal anecdote, or quick discussion).
- Set a specific target: "List 5 qualities of a world leader" or "List 8 strategies for learning English outside class."
- Students brainstorm individually first (1–2 min), then share and extend in pairs/groups.
- Groups compare lists with the class. Collate into a master list on the board.
- Optional: use the list as input for a ranking, classifying, or comparison task.
Scaling the Challenge
| Level | Prompt | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | "List kinds of transport" | Single nouns |
| Intermediate | "List features of an ideal transport system" | Phrases/sentences |
| Advanced | "List recommendations for improving local public transport" | Complex sentences |
Tips
- Set a specific number of items to aim for — students know when they've finished.
- To calibrate: do the task yourself first, then set the target 1–2 items lower.
- Time yourself to estimate a suitable time limit for students.
- The simplest listing task is the best facilitating task for more complex tasks that follow.