Valentine’s Day

pre-intermediate Time: 60-90 min Age: 14+

Topic: St.Valentine’s Day (for teens)

Aim: to play Speed Dating Game => to communicate => to express preferences,
likes and dislikes => to build questions and answers => to have fun

Aids: pens & paper, optionally: printouts (att.1 = 1pile of 60 cards + att.2: one per student + att. 3:
one per student), a timer, a computer with a projector, red decorations and candles are welcome <3

A good idea for St.Valentine’s Day is SPEED DATING. Of course, in the classroom it’s just a game, a friend
search, not a partner search.

T explains SS that on St.Valentine’s Day’s occasion they are going to take part in a special game. It’s called
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Speed Dating and it’s a way of meeting people for possible romantic relationships that involves talking with
a lot of people for a short time to see if you like them. According to general opinion, the first impression is the
most important. Speed Dating was created in 1998 in the USA. It came to Poland only in 2006. Generally it’s
all about asking and answering questions.

Before the game, SS may suggest their own questions - which is a good way to revise the structures.
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The questions should stay on the board until everybody decides which 3 they will work with. But if there
isn’t enough time, T may use ready-made cards (att.1) so each S can just draw 3 out of the pile.

Then, T divides SS into two groups (As and Bs) and places them in 2 rows at the desks. The desks should be
3 arranged in a long line to make students face each other. T then sets the timer and lets the kids start taking.
As talk for 2 minutes, then Bs talk for 2 minutes (T should adjust the number of questions and the limit of time
depending on the number of SS and the total length of the lesson).

4 During the game, all answers should be noted down briefly by SS who ask questions (att.2).

When it’s time to move to the next “date”, T says: “Ok, everyone. As stay where you are and Bs move one seat
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to the right. ” Then, SS talk to their new partner and when the time’s up - they rotate again.

6 The pattern is continued until every B has talked to every A.

7 Finally, SS compare the answers they have gathered and chose their “perfect match” (As from Bs and Bs from As).

8 After the game it’s time to talk about perfect matches: What’s important in a relationship in SS’ opinion?
– taking also into consideration the questions they have answered. (att.3)

It’s a good occasion, too, to learn how St.Valentine’s Day is viewed by SS. What’s their attitude towards this
9 holiday? Who is for and who’s against it and why.

In the end, T may refresh students’ memory with the story of St.Valentine, played on Youtube:
10 bit.ly/Valentine4teensNGL (5 min) Here’s a brief summary:
2000 years ago, the most powerful army in the world belonged to the Romans. Soldiers wanted to get married and
set up families. The Emperor, whose name was Claudius the Second made a law that no soldier was allowed to get
married. By that time, many of the Romans were Christians – and one of their leaders was a Bishop called Valentine
who decided to let soldiers get married in his church. Valentine was arrested and the emperor sentenced him to
death. February 14 is the date of his death which came in 269 AD.

11 Nice if SS could play Valentine’s Jeopardy Game before this class finishes: bit.ly/ValentineJeopardyNGL

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 Valentine’s Day Att.1
Are you a night owl Do you take hot
or an early bird type or cold milk with your
of person and why? cereal? Why?

What’s your favorite

Which country would
type of music? Band?
you like to visit? Why?
Singer?

Which venue is perfect

Do you do any sport? for a first date?
Which one? Why? a) cinema, b) park,
c) restaurant. Why?

What makes
Do you like animals? a person attractive:
Which ones? Why? a) face, b) voice
c) body. Why?

Do you prefer
Do you prefer big parties
holidays by the sea or in
or small parties and why?
the mountains. Why?

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 Valentine’s Day Att.1
Which is better – to have Do you prefer
a big house in the country having a bath or a shower?
or a small flat in a big city? Why?

Do you prefer horrors What is your dream job?

or comedies? Why? Why?

Which adjective describes

you best: What things are
a) hard-working, b) modest important to you?
c) lazy. Why?

Imagine you have $1million What language would

to spend in 1 month. you like to know well?
On what? Why?

What talent have you

Do you believe in love
got or you dream
at first sight? Why?
to have?

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 Valentine’s Day Att.1

Do you believe What is your favorite season

in ghosts? Why? of the year? Why?

Would you move to Alaska How many children would

if you got a well-paid you like to have?
job there? Why?

How many close friends

What is your favorite meal?
do you have?
Why?
Who are they?

Would you like

Imagine you won
to travel in time?
an exotic trip. Where to?
Where to?

What color are the walls How do you relax?

of your room? Why? (Apart from sleeping ;-))

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 Valentine’s Day Att.1

Who is your favorite Do you prefer hard-

celebrity? or soft-boiled eggs?

Where would you spend Would you like to fly

your honeymoon? Why? to the Moon? Why?

If you could change

Do you believe in something in your life,
horoscopes? Why? what would that be
and why?

If I asked you
What makes you
to have a pizza now,
feel happy?
what would you say?

What makes you How often are you

feel annoyed? late somewhere?

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 Valentine’s Day Att.1
If I asked you to go to
What are you afraid of? the cinema now, what
would you say?

Imagine I am very rich.

Imagine, I ask you to
What would you like
buy me a lunch.
to get from me as
What do you do?
a present?

W hat is most
important to you ? Do you always tell
a) love, b) health the truth? Why?
c) money.

Do you prefer
How tidy is your room?
a barbecue or a bonfire?
How often do you clean it?
Why?

Tell me which household

Which school subject do you
chores you don’t mind?
enjoy? Why?
Why?

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 Valentine’s Day Att.1
Do you prefer reading
Tell me which school subject
books or watching films?
you don’t enjoy? Why?
Why?

Are you a showman?

Would you swim in a lake
Do you like to be the centre
in winter if I paid you $100?
of attention?

What is the perfect day How important is music

for a wedding party? in your life? Why?

Which 3 things would

Imagine you’re an animal.
you take with you on
Which one and why?
a desert island?

Do you enjoy playing

Do you prefer romantic
board games?
or practical presents? Why?
Which ones?

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 Valentine’s Day Att.2
QUESTIONS Q1: Q2: Q3:

NAMES A N SW E R S

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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 Valentine’s Day Att.3

What’s most important for a good relationship is:

In my opinion the idea I think St.Valentine’s Day is

of Speed Dating is

because because

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