In February, the next holidays may seem quite distant but thinking about where we are going to travel next can be an great way to feel a bit more optimistic. This month we have created an activity for our A1 Movers and A2 Flyers students where they will learn some useful vocabulary about cities while they practise their writing skills. The A2 Key and B1 Preliminary learners can improve their reading and writing skills with signs and notices that they may find when travelling in an English-speaking country. We have also created an activity to practise all skills and modes of communication while learners discover some interesting information about Cambridge. Finally, our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can start dreaming about their ideal holidays while they practise all skills. Happy February!

1. 1
February
In February, the next holidays may seem quite distant but thinking about where we are going
to travel next can be an great way to feel a bit more optimistic. This month we have created
an activity for our A1 Movers and A2 Flyers students where they will learn some useful
vocabulary about cities while they practise their writing skills. The A2 Key and B1 Preliminary
learners can improve their reading and writing skills with signs and notices that they may find
when travelling in an English-speaking country. We have also created an activity to practise
all skills and modes of communication while learners discover some interesting information
about Cambridge. Finally, our B2 First and C1 Advanced students can start dreaming about
their ideal holidays while they practise all skills. Happy February!
1. City quiz.............................................................................................................................................2
2. City tour .............................................................................................................................................4
3. Signs and notices.............................................................................................................................6
4. My city..............................................................................................................................................11
5. References......................................................................................................................................14

2. 2
1. City quiz
Level: B2 First / C1 Advanced
Skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing
Interaction: in groups, in pairs and whole class
activity
Content: modal verbs, vocabulary to describe cities,
expressions to justify ideas, to agree and disagree
Time: 90 minutes
Warm up (15’) – in groups of 3
Students should work in groups of three. One of the students (Student A) will be in charge of
asking questions while the other two students (Student B and Student C) will have to speak
for as long as they can. As soon as one of the students stops talking, Student A will have to
ask the other student another question. Every 2 minutes, the person asking the question will
change.
• Do you like travelling? Why (not)?
• Do you usually travel when you are on holidays? Why (not)?
• What is the most special place you have been to? Why was it special?
• Tell us about your most recent trip.
• What would your dream trip be?
• Do you like planning everything in detail or do you prefer to just see what happens?
• Have you ever had a problem when travelling e.g. delays, cancelled flights, problems
with accommodation?
• Do you read reviews before choosing accommodation, restaurants, etc.? Why (not)?
Where do you go for this information?
• What aspects do you enjoy most when travelling?
• What aspects do you find the most difficult to put up with?
• Do you like travelling on your own? Why (not)?
Speaking (15’) – whole class activity
Students will work in groups of three or four (different from the previous groups). They will do
the city quiz. Students will have to justify their option and express agreement or disagreement.
They should be ready to ask other students to justify their answers.

3. 3
Once students have discussed the ten cities they can share their ideas with the rest of the
groups and maybe have a little competition to see who got the most answers right.
Writing (60’) – in pairs
The website Traveller241
has organised a competition and will pay for five two-week trips to
one of the holiday destinations included in this quiz. To enter the competition students should
write an article with the title “My greatest adventure” in 190 words or more.
Students will write their article individually but when they have a first draft they should
exchange it with a partner, who will read it and give them feedback in terms of content,
organisation, language and format23
. Students will then have the opportunity to improve their
first draft before submitting their final version.
1
Hypothetical situation
2
UCLES (2019). B2 First for Schools Handbook for Teachers [online]. Available at:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/Images/CER_2387_V1_APR19_First_for_Schools_Handbook_Update_2018_
WEB_v3.PDF (Accessed: 10th
February 2020).
3
UCLES (2019). C1 Advanced Handbook for Teachers [online]. Available at:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/Images/167804-cambridge-english-advanced-handbook.pdf (Accessed: 10th
February 2020).

4. 4
2. City tour
Level: B1 Preliminary / B2 First
Skills: listening, speaking, writing and reading
Modes of communication: production, reception, interaction
and mediation
Interaction: whole class, in pairs and individual activity
Pre-teaching: emails, travel vocabulary
Classroom equipment: computer, Internet connection
Time: 75 minutes
Warm up (15’) – whole class activity
• Do you like travelling? Why (not)?
• Do you usually travel when you are on holidays? Why (not)?
• What is the most special place you have been to? Why was it special?
• Tell us about your most recent trip.
• What would your dream trip be?
• Do you like planning everything in detail or do you prefer to just see what happens?
• Have you ever had a problem when travelling e.g. delays, cancelled flights, problems
with accommodation?
• Do you read reviews before choosing accommodation, restaurants, etc.? Why (not)?
Where do you go for this information?
• What aspects do you enjoy most when travelling?
• What aspects do you find the most difficult to put up with?
• Do you like travelling on your own? Why (not)?
Reading and Writing (20’) – individual activity
Students should be divided into two groups (Group A and Group B):
Students in Group A
You did an English course where you met a friend (students in Group B). This friend told you
about an amazing trip to Cambridge and you have decided to go there this year. Email your
friend to ask about:
- accommodation
- sightseeing
- how to get there
Write about 100 words.

5. 5
Students in Group B
Two years ago you spent three weeks in Cambridge studying English. You had a great time
and last year you told a friend you met on another English course about it. This friend has
asked you for recommendations in terms of what to do, how to get there and where to stay.
You are going to send him / her an email with all the relevant information, but before that you
need to find out a bit more about his / her trip. Talk to him / her and ask about his / her likes
and dislikes, dietary requirements, how long s/he is planning to stay, budget, etc.
Do some research online to find out information about accommodation, sightseeing and
transport in Cambridge and prepare a set of questions to ask Student B over the phone.
Ideas:
Local World (2020). 12 Things to do in Cambridge for tourists. Available at:
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do-cambridge-tourists-11976012
[Accessed 4th
February 2020].
Lonely Planet (n.d.). Cambridge Attractions. Available at:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/cambridge/attractions/a/poi-sig/358889 [Accessed 4th
February 2020].
Waugh, R. & Oliver, H. (2019). The 12 best things to do in Cambridge right now.
[online] Time Out. Available at: https://www.timeout.com/cambridge/things-to-do/best-things-
to-do-in-cambridge [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Speaking (10’) – in pairs
Student B should read Student A’s email and check if s/he needs more information or ask for
clarification. Then, they will work in pairs (Student A and Student B) to ask and answer
questions over the phone. Student A will share with Student B the information s/he found about
Cambridge.
Writing (30’) – individual activity
Student B will write an email answering Student A’s questions in about 100 words.
Student A will read all the useful links and decide what s/he would like to do in Cambridge.
Then, s/he can read Student B’s email and compare Student B’s suggestions with his or her
own preferences.

6. 6
3. Signs and notices
Level: A2 Key / B1 Preliminary
Skills: speaking and reading
Interaction: whole class activity
Classroom equipment: digital board
Time: 30 minutes
Warm up (10’) – whole class activity
 Look at these signs and notices.
 Where can you find them (e.g. in a shop, train station, etc.)?
 Which sign / notice:
o is asking you to do something?
o is giving information?
o is the opposite of B?
o includes a prohibition?
o suggestion / recommendation?
o restriction / limitation?
A: B:

7. 7
C: D:
E: F:

8. 8
G: H:
I: J:
K:

9. 9
L: M:
N: O:
P:
Writing (20’) – in groups of 3 or 4
Write a sentence that has a similar meaning to each of the signs and notices above.
Share your ideas with the rest of the class. Write your sentences on the board and as a
whole class check if the meaning is the same.

10. 10
KEY
Which sign / notice:
o is asking you to do something? A, C, J, K, N, O
o is giving information? D, G, M, N, O, P
o is the opposite B? L
o includes a prohibition? F, P
o suggestion / recommendation? B
o restriction / limitation? E, H, I,

11. 11
4. My city
Level: A1 Movers / A2 Flyers
Content: places and directions vocabulary
Interaction: whole class, individual, in pairs and
individual activity
Time: 40 minutes
Warm up (15’) – whole class activity
Students should stand in a line. Students will listen to the teacher and if the statement about
the poster is true, they will move to the left and if it is false, they should move to the right.
1. There are three planes.
2. The taxi is yellow.
3. The girl in the green dress is next to the girl in the purple t-shirt.
4. There are three flags on the castle.
5. The boy in the blue t-shirt has a heavy suitcase.
Give your students three post-its of three different colours. Students should write a verb, an
adjective and a noun they can see on the poster and stick the post-it on the poster.
verb adjective noun

12. 12
Word Search (10’) – in pairs (A1 Movers) / individually (A2 Flyers)
Find 22 words that you can see on the poster.
Word Search
Writing (10’) – individual activity
Students should write two sentences about the poster.
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________________
Follow up (5’) – whole class activity
Places and free time

13. 13
KEY
1. There are three planes. F
2. The taxi is yellow. F
3. The girl in the green dress is next to the girl in the purple t-shirt. . T
4. There are three flags on the castle. T
5. The boy in the blue t-shirt has a heavy suitcase. T

14. 14
5. References
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https://unsplash.com/photos/joQ5rctWO08 [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Ehlers, M. (2019). Fasten Seat Belt While Seated Life Vest Under Your Seat Text
Overlay. [image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/fasten-seat-belt-while-
seated-life-vest-under-your-seat-text-overlay-1188803/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Ervin, B. (2019). Man Standing on the Life Guard House. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-standing-on-the-life-guard-house-3422424/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Flippity (2017). Word Search. Available at:
https://www.flippity.net/ws.asp?k=1utWvMTRpmESiL2GSaCIOd4A2ckKdLW8OywgLfQrRBp
Q [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Hild, J. (2019). Low-Angle Photography of Traffic Lights. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-photography-of-traffic-lights-2422270/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Jaymantri (2019). Brown and White Open Signage. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/sign-open-2806/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Jeshoots.com. (2017). Prague. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://unsplash.com/photos/LKREcvZeoJQ/info [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Lacy, K. (2019). Yellow Wait Signage. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photo-of-wait-signage-3129810/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Lamoure, H. (2019). Gray Caution Alligators Label Panel. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/gray-caution-alligators-label-panel-1119040/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Local World (2020). 12 Things to do in Cambridge for tourists. Available at:
https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do-cambridge-tourists-11976012
[Accessed 4th
February 2020].
Lonely Planet (n.d.). Cambridge Attractions. Available at:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/cambridge/attractions/a/poi-sig/358889 [Accessed 4th
February 2020].
Matzinger, S. (2010). Brown Camel. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-camel-931881/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Mockup Photos (2019). Silver Iphone 6 on Brown Board. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-iphone-6-on-brown-board-821222/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].

15. 15
Mossholder, T. (2019). White and Blue Come on in We’ere Open Signage
[image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-and-blue-come-on-in-we-ere-
open-signage-2432221/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Panas, C. (2015). Close-Up Photo of Sorry We’re Closed Sign on Glass Window.
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closed-sign-on-glass-window-2467649/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Panelo, I. (2019). Unloading Area Only Signage. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/unloading-area-only-signage-3230206/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Perez, C. (2019). Private Property Keep Out Signboard [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/private-property-keep-out-signboard-733732/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Pixabay (2011). Mind the Gap Signage. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/caution-danger-information-safety-258063/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Pixabay (2015). Orange and Black Temporarily Closed for Construction Signage.
[image/jpeg]. Available at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/barb-wires-barrier-billboard-
building-209717/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Pixabay (2019). Patient Pick-up & Discharge Only Signage. [image/jpeg]. Available at:
https://www.pexels.com/photo/access-building-business-care-236433/ [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
Snapwire. (2017). Assorted Hot Air Balloons Photo During Sunset. [image/jpeg].
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20180719 [Accessed 3rd
February 2020].
UCLES (2019). B2 First for Schools Handbook for Teachers [online]. Available at:
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/Images/CER_2387_V1_APR19_First_for_Schools_Hand
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February 2020].
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