5 activities to help students practice English over holidays

ÃÛÌÒapp Languages
A overhead shot of a child holding a map and looking at it

Practicing English is a thing that ideally needs to be kept up with regularly, and when school breaks up for the holidays, it's easy for what¡¯s been learnt to be forgotten. This phenomenon is called summer learning loss, and it¡¯s something that affects students of every age and stage.

So, how can you encourage your students or children to keep practicing their language skills over the holidays? There are apps and online activities ¨Cbut the school holidays are a good opportunity for young learners to disconnect and enjoy some time offline. So here are some activities to suggest to them. There are no screens in sight, and the whole family can enjoy practicing English together:

Go on a nature walk

Get them out into the fresh air with nature spotting. Make a list of things for your students/children to find in their garden or local park. You can keep the list simple for younger learners, with things like trees, grass or flowers, linking them to colors or numbers. For older learners, you can make the search a bit more challenging by including specific species of tree, flower or insect.

This offline activity reinforces the links between English and the natural world. It helps to build children¡¯s observational skills and builds their natural vocabulary along with their gross motor skills. What¡¯s more, have shown that spending time in nature is enormously beneficial for children, restoring their attention, reducing their stress and helping them to become more creative and engaged in learning.

Follow a recipe

For this activity, choose a recipe that you think your students/children will enjoy making.

Cakes or cookies are popular choices ¨C most young learners have a sweet tooth! Then, with their parents or caregiver, they can make a shopping list of the ingredients they need, buy them from the supermarket, and then follow the recipe steps.

This type of offline activity helps young learners use their English in a practical way. It will develop their vocabulary and link their English language skills to other skills like math and science. Following a recipe from start to finish teaches children how to follow instructions and problem solve. It also builds their fine motor skills as they pour, stir and chop. They¡¯ll get a considerable boost to their confidence when they take their cake out of the oven ¨C and they¡¯ll be able to share that success with their family and friends. After all, nearly everyone likes cake!

Read a story

Reading has numerous benefits for children (and adults too). It is good for building vocabulary, developing creativity and promoting empathy. What¡¯s more, reading has been shown to . It¡¯s the perfect antidote to too much screen time and a good way for learners to maintain their English level over the holidays. But it¡¯s essential to ensure the text's level is correct. If it¡¯s too difficult, they will be frustrated and put off. It¡¯s crucial for reading to be enjoyable!

Older learners can read independently, but you can also suggest some books to read with parents/caregivers. Reading aloud together is a really positive way for adults and children to spend time together. It positively impacts children¡¯s self-esteem and builds good associations with reading, hopefully encouraging them to become independent readers.

Learn how to read a map

This activity involves a little bit of preparation¨C but it¡¯s a fun activity and gets children outdoors and away from screens! Open up local maps, and have children select somewhere they¡¯d like to visit. Then, they can create a navigation guide in English, building on their vocabulary of directions and surroundings to describe the route.

Learning how to read a map and follow directions is an excellent cognitive and physical exercise. It helps young learners to solve problems and builds their decision-making and observational skills.

Do some experiments

Suggest some DIY science experiments to do at home. Just like the recipe challenge, learners will need to make a list of the materials they¡¯ll need and gather all the experiment components before setting everything up. Then, they will follow the instructions in English and see how their experiments turn out!

Science experiments are a great way to nurture children¡¯s intellectual curiosity and develop critical thinking skills. It also encourages learners to solve problems and analyze results. Who knows, you could even be planting the seed of a STEM career in future years!

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • Children engaged in a classroom activity, with colorful educational posters and a banner in the background.

    How to use flipped learning to support your learners

    By
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    What is flipped learning?

    To understand better what flipped learning is, first let¡¯s see how it differs from blended learning, a term with which it is often confused.?

    Blended learning is a way of teaching that combines face-to-face classroom teaching with online resources. We freely use online resources to create a more personalized learning experience.?

    Flipped learning is a little different. As the name suggests, it "flips" a traditional lesson. It tells us exactly which stages of the lesson should go online. In a flipped learning class, all of the more traditional aspects (also called "study stages"), are completed online and the homework (also called "application stages") comes into the classroom.?

    Let¡¯s look at an example.?

    A typical receptive skills lesson normally has six stages:?

    1. Lead in
    2. Set context
    3. Pre-teach vocabulary
    4. Gist task
    5. Detailed task
    6. Follow up

    With a traditional teaching model, we do the first five stages in class and set the last one for homework. With flipped learning there are a few ways to tackle these stages, but a basic model would look like this:

  • Precision teaching with AI: Aligning GSE objectives with generative AI for targeted materials

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    English teachers today face increasing demands: create engaging content, differentiate instruction and address diverse learner needs ¨C all within a limited time. The rise of Generative AI, like ChatGPT, offers a promising solution. But without proper guidance, AI-generated content can lack educational value. This blog post introduces a practical, research-informed approach to using AI tools aligned with the Global Scale of English (GSE). You will learn how this framework helps educators design accurate, personalized and level-appropriate English teaching materials quickly and confidently.

    Why GSE and AI are a game-changing combination for ELT

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) is a CEFR-aligned framework developed by ÃÛÌÒapp, offering detailed "can-do" learning objectives. It includes nearly 4,000 descriptors across speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, offering more precision than traditional level labels like A2 or B1. At the same time, Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can generate entire lessons, tasks and assessments in seconds. The challenge lies in ensuring this content is aligned with clear pedagogical outcomes.

    Pairing AI¡¯s creative speed with the GSE¡¯s structured outcomes offers a scalable way to meet learner needs without compromising instructional quality.

    Unlocking measurable, differentiated and efficient teaching with GSE and AI

    The GSE makes objectives measurable

    Unlike generic teaching goals, GSE objectives are specific and measurable. For example, a B1-level learner objective might state:

    ¡°Can identify a simple chronological sequence in a recorded narrative or dialogue.¡± (GSE 43)
    ?This clarity helps teachers define outcomes and ensure each AI-generated task targets an actual language skill, not just generic content.

    Generative AI enhances productivity

    Teachers using Generative AI can create draft lesson materials in minutes. By inputing a structured prompt such as:

    ¡°Create a B1 reading activity that helps learners summarize the main points of a short article.¡±
    ChatGPT can instantly generate content that meets the learning goal. When guided by the GSE, AI becomes a collaborative assistant as well as a time-saver.

    The GSE + AI combination supports differentiation

    Because the GSE includes descriptors across a wide proficiency range (from pre-A1 to C2), teachers can tailor AI-generated content to meet the exact needs of their students. Mixed-level classrooms or tutoring contexts benefit especially from this, as teachers can create multiple versions of a task with consistent scaffolding.

    Practical tips

    • Use the GSE Teacher Toolkit to select objectives based on skill, level or function.
    • When prompting ChatGPT, include the GSE descriptor in your input for more precise results.
    • Always review and adapt the AI output to match your learners¡¯ context, culture and curriculum.
    • Create a prompt library mapped to GSE codes to save time in future planning.

    A step-by-step example of the GSE and AI in action

    Here is a typical application of the workflow:

    1. A teacher selects a GSE objective, such as:
      ¡°Can write a basic formal email/letter requesting information.¡± (GSE 46).
    2. Within seconds, a sample formal email, accompanied by a short reading comprehension task and a vocabulary activity, is generated.
    3. The reading task serves as a model to help learners analyze the structure, tone, and key language features of a well-written email before attempting their own.
    4. The teacher then reviews and refines the output for clarity, appropriateness, and context relevance.

    This process supports targeted teaching while significantly reducing preparation time.

    Overcoming challenges: Ensuring quality and relevance

    Challenge: AI outputs may lack cultural context, level appropriateness or instructional clarity.
    Solution: Always pair AI with professional judgment. Use the GSE to check that skills match the intended outcome, and adjust the complexity of the language as needed.

    Challenge: Teachers may be unfamiliar with how to write effective AI prompts.
    Solution: Start simple with templates like:

    ¡°Create a [skill] activity at [level] that supports this GSE objective: [insert objective].¡±

    Challenge: Risk of over-relying on AI for instruction.
    Solution: Use AI as a starting point, not the final product. Combine AI-generated content with classroom interaction, feedback and your own creativity.

    Teaching tools that make this easier

    • : for exploring and selecting level-appropriate learning objectives
    • : for generating customizable teaching content
    • GSE Smart Lesson Generator: an AI-powered lesson creation tool developed by ÃÛÌÒapp that uses the GSE framework to automatically generate high-quality activities and lesson plans
    • Google Docs or Word: for editing and organizing your materials before class

    Confidently transforming English teaching

    Combining Generative AI with the Global Scale of English allows teachers to design materials that are both fast and focused. The GSE provides the structure; AI provides the speed. Together, they offer a sustainable solution for personalized English instruction that respects both learner needs and instructional quality.

  • Teacher and young students engaging in a classroom activity, surrounded by colorful art supplies and educational materials.

    Back-to-school challenges that teachers face ¨C and how to solve them

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    A new school year brings excitement and opportunity. It also presents challenges for teachers, regardless of their level of experience. Here are common problems that teachers face and simple tips to help you start the year with confidence.?

    1. How do I establish effective classroom management and routines?

    The challenge:
    A new year means a new group of students, each with unique personalities and expectations. Setting clear routines and managing classroom behavior can be daunting, especially when students test boundaries or struggle to adjust.

    The solution:
    Set the tone early by communicating clear expectations for behavior, participation and respect. Use visual aids and consistent language to reinforce routines. Involve students in rule-setting to foster ownership and accountability. Consistency and patience are key; routines may take time to solidify, but your commitment will pay off.

    2. How can I build strong relationships with my students?

    The challenge:
    Connecting with a diverse group of learners ¨C some of whom might be eager, while others might be more reserved ¨C can be challenging. Building trust and rapport is essential for engagement and academic success, but it doesn¡¯t happen overnight.

    The solution:
    Dedicate time to getting to know your students as individuals. Use icebreakers, interest surveys and daily check-ins to show you care about their lives beyond academics. Incorporate culturally-responsive teaching practices to respect students¡¯ backgrounds and experiences. Even small gestures, such as greeting students by name and celebrating their achievements, can make a big difference.