In many instances, the question form gets short shrift. We rarely use it in reading and writing, and when we think of grammar we tend to think about statements. The following intermediate-level practice activity helps students develop their own practice questions. The basic template can be adapted for other verb tenses as well.

Set the context of Internet Etiquette by eliciting ways that people interact online such as phone texts, emails, blogs, etc.  Then move to a discussion of behaviors that are polite or impolite.  

The Activity (20 – 30 mins)

  1. Count the students off into A and B pairs. Instruct each pair to write 3 questions with should e.g., Should people always respond to personal email, or is it okay to ignore a message? Circulate and check them as they write to ensure they have correct questions.
  2. Once each pair has a set of questions, instruct Bs to ask their questions while As move around the room, visiting as many Bs as they can and answering the should questions. While they practice, the teacher can monitor, support and analyze the student production.
  3. After 8 to 10 minutes have the As and Bs exchange roles.  After another 8 to 10 minutes, have original partners meet up again and write up their results to share with the class.

Check out an example

To see another version of this activity in a different context, look at Grammar and Beyond level 2, unit 21. Exercise 2.3 is similar to the longer version, but with static instead of dynamic pairs.