Opposites

Opposition, or its absence, is a recurrent theme whatever field you're operating in, and a natural source of stimulating conversation. The following EFL outline makes use of linguistic and cultural opposites, and has a simple descriptive task at the end

Homonyms
A hefty list of opposites on englisch-hilfen.de, it continues over pages two, three & four.

• select/given 3-5 words mix/match task to definition
• write/find homonym
• share to group + put to projector
• extend to cultural differences

TED Opposites
Weird or just different, Derek Sivers' TED talk on intriguing, cultural differences

• gist > write/select correct one word description
• detail > differences between: American & Japanese cities; Chinese & Western doctors; West African music beat & 'our' music;

Productive
Describe a photo; use a local photo if possible to demo the possibilities. Something like this:

• prepositions of position
• give people descriptions
• prepare text ideas in pairs, but write as individuals
• peercheck making suggestions for improvements
• work into an FCE type photo comparison task

Use:

• coming towards / going away,
• at the top/bottom
• in the foreground/background
• on the left / right
• towards the top/bottom/left/right/
• in the centre/on the edge