Sentence strip bingo

Image from Dannielle Warren

Strip bingo (known by other, less fun names), comes in various forms. In its basic form, you can use single words to play the game. In a previous post I described a storytelling version of the game. In this post we are looking at another version, also using whole sentences, but (possibly) more randomly - it depends what sentences you choose. It could be used as one game in a sequence within the EPI (Conti- Extensive Processing Instruction) paradigm, where the chosen sentences might be derived from a sentence builder. Just as the sentences can be used to play 'sentence chaos' or 'sentence stealers' (two Gianfranco games), so can they be recycled (or variations on the sentences) in the strip bingo game. Within the EPI model this sort of activity would typically happen early on in a lesson sequence, when the focus is on receptive language use - no pressure to speak. Strip bingo is all about listening and reading, of course. But you could use it at any stage to reinforce known language.

Below is an example game from my website for use by near-beginners in French. I'll copy it in here so you can se the instructions and example sentences in French and English.

Verb chunks strip bingo

Display the list of short sentences on the board (see below). You could revise the sentences with repetition, hiding the English, or any other approach.

Hand out long strip of paper to each pupil (e.g. A4 cut/torn into three vertical strips)

Tell pupils to write down 15 French sentences, chosen from the list on the board, using the whole length of their strip of paper (make sure they spread them out quite evenly). You choose to supply the translations if you think any sentences may not be understood.

Tell them that you will say the sentences randomly. When they hear a word at either end of their strip they may tear it off (thus revealing a new sentence). You keep saying sentences. The first pupil to get rid of all their words is the winner. Remember to keep saying the same sentences over and over!

Variation – throw in distractors (sentences not on the list).

This can then be taken further with questions and answers, a memory test a ‘how long can I keep talking’ exercise and more.

You'll want to point out that we have more than one version of the present tense in English (e.g. I play versus I'm playing).

1. Je joue au foot avec mes amis                      
2. Je chante dans la chorale
3. Je joue au rugby à l’école
4. J’écoute de la musique
5. Je travaille dans ma chambre
6. Je regarde un film à la télé
7. Je vais au cinéma en ville
8. Je vais à la piscine
9. Je mange du chocolat
10. Je regarde une vidéo sur YouTube
11. Je joue de la guitare
12. Je fais du vélo
13. Je fais une balade à la campagne                
14. Je mange des fruits et des légumes
15. Je travaille en classe
16. J’écoute bien la professeure
17. Je joue sur la Playstation
18. Je vais en ville avec mes amis
19. Je regarde un film sur Netflix
20. Je mange du poisson et des frites.
21. Je fais de la danse au club
22. Je visite un château avec mes parents
23. Je visite la France pendant les vacances
24. Je prépare un gâteau au chocolat
25. Je prépare des crêpes

English translations

1. I play (I’m playing) football with my friends
2. I sing in the choir
3. I play rugby at school
4. I listen to music
5. I work in my bedroom
6. I watch a film on TV
7. I go to the cinema in town
8. I go to the pool
9. I eat chocolate
10. I watch a video on YouTube
11. I play the guitar
12. I go (‘do’) cycling
13. I go for (‘do’) a walk in the countryside
14. I eat fruit and vegetables
15. I work in class
16. I listen carefully to the teacher
17. I play on the Playstation
18. I go into town with my friends
19. I watch a film on Netflix
20. I eat fish and chips
21. I go dancing (‘do dancing’) at the club
22. I visit a castle with my parents
23. I visit France during the holidays
24. I prepare a chocolate cake
25. I prepare pancakes