By focusing on interactive and imaginative tasks, teachers and SENCOs can foster critical skills such as sentence structure, logical thinking, and creative problem-solving, setting students up for success in academic and social settings. This guide outlines a variety of effective talking activities designed to engage and motivate students, tailored to meet their individual needs and learning styles.
Vocabulary games
Word Association
A fast-paced activity where students quickly respond with related words to build vocabulary and confidence in verbal expression.
How it helps
Encourages quick thinking and word retrieval, skills often challenging for students with verbal delays.
How to play
Start with a simple word (e.g., "sun") and ask the student to respond with a related word (e.g., "light").
Build longer word chains or introduce themes like “food” or “animals” to increase complexity.
Celebrate each correct response to build confidence.
20 Questions
A guessing game that teaches students how to form questions and think logically to identify an object or concept.
How it helps
Teaches question formation and logical thinking, essential for effective communication.
How to play
Choose an object or concept, and let the student ask yes/no questions to figure it out.
Guide them to structure their questions (e.g., “Is it alive?”).
Offer hints if needed, but encourage independent thinking.
Sentence structure practice
Sentence Starters
Prompts students to complete sentences, helping them structure ideas and gradually develop reasoning and elaboration skills.
How it helps
Scaffolds language production, allowing students to practise forming complete sentences.
How to play
Provide prompts like “My favourite food is…” or “I feel happy when…”.
Gradually move to more complex starters like “I agree with [name] because…” to encourage reasoning and elaboration.
Expanding Sentences
Encourages students to add details to basic sentences, improving vocabulary and sentence complexity.
How it helps
Strengthens vocabulary and sentence complexity, vital for verbal communication.
How to play
Begin with a simple sentence (e.g., “The cat slept”).
Ask the student to add details (e.g., “The fluffy, grey cat slept peacefully on the warm sofa”).
Imaginative discussions
“What If” Scenarios
Inspires creativity and problem-solving by prompting students to explore hypothetical situations and articulate their thoughts.
How it helps
Encourages creativity and problem-solving while practising verbal articulation.
How to play
Ask fun questions like “What if you could live in a treehouse?” or “What if animals could talk?”
Prompt the student to explain their reasoning, expanding their answers as they grow more confident.
Tailoring Activities for Students with Verbal Challenges
Visual Supports: Incorporate images, flashcards, or props to aid understanding and reduce the cognitive load.
Slow Down the Pace: Allow students extra time to process and respond, reinforcing the idea that it's okay to take their time.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognise every improvement, no matter how small, to build the student’s confidence and motivation.
Why This Matters
Talking activities directly address the needs of students with verbal challenges by creating opportunities for structured, supported language practice.
They provide a foundation for stronger communication skills, which are vital for academic success and personal development. With consistent one-to-one practice, SENCOs can help students gain the confidence and clarity they need to express themselves effectively, setting them up for success in both the classroom and beyond.