Teacher Discussion Forums

Dear All. I have a new class of 10 Pre-Inter level adults starting soon.
I am trying to get together a really lively introductory session, whereby they can all interact, have a laugh, loosen up and...learn something. Any one have any ideas ? Please reply here. Here's mine, that you might have heard of already. It's taken from a book long since forgotten.

Have 10 questions on paper.
EG : my favorite food is...
my boyfriend's/wife's/girlfriend's/husband's name is ...
I would describe myself as ...

Handout questions. Have all students answer first question.
"My favorite food is kimchi"
Then fold the paper under this question (so that it is hidden) and then pass the paper to the student on your right. Then all complete the next question. Fold again, and pass on.
At the end of the questions, everyone should have a folded paper with lots of answers from different people.

NEXT : tell students to get up, and find the person who answered each of the questions in their folded paper.
"Is your favorite food kimchi"
"No it isnt"
(to next student) : "is your favorite food kimchi"
"Yes it is"

Once they have found the writer of the answer, write down their name corresponding to the answer, move on and find the writer of the next answer.
Finally, they should have the identity of each person who answered.

THEN : each student could report back to the class :
"Miguel's favorite food is kimchi"

Or else write Miguel's name on board, and each student can repor tabout him.

This can work well, but you need to manage the class well, and watch the clock. It can go on for a while longer than expected.

That's my idea, but I need some more.
Suggestions please !
dave.

Here's one activity I've found very effective with new groups.

Start off with a question like "How many of you live within 10 minutes of this school?" Ask them to raise their hands, and make a statement based on the result, such as "Some of you live near the school." or "Almost all of you live close to school." Tell everyone to write the sentence down. Then ask a few more questions ("How many of you like learning English grammar?" "How many of you like to learn English from CNN?" are two examples, but you can create your own.) Follow the same procedure, raise hands then a sentence to write down. Now encourage students to stand up and produce their own questions about hobbies, interests, etc. Continue with the procedure. Now students should have a nice profile of the class, and they have some familiarity with phrases such as some of us, most of us, a few of us. Tell them this is their class profile, and that they should keep it in their notebooks. In future classes, you can continued the activity.

I am preparing for an English exam which requires teaching demonstration. I am lacking of ideas of how to cheer up a downhearted class. Can anyone provide some good ideas? By the way, students' English level isn't very high, but the demostration is required to be English only.Thanks