New Comparisons

Purpose: To practice the use of “as….as” comparisons.

Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes

Materials: None

Preparation: Make a list of some commonly used “as…as” comparisons. Think about how these examples could be modeled or demonstrated. Use visuals or objects when possible. 

Procedure:

1. Plan to pre-teach any new vocabulary as you present the comparisons.

2. Illustrate each comparison, using people and objects in class or the classroom itself as a context.  

• Maria says that learning English is easy. She says it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
• I brought some oranges for break today. They are as sweet as honey.
• The students work very hard in class. They always remember their notebooks and they always come on time. They are as good as gold.

3.  Suggest a few adjectives and have students make up their own comparisons. Do a few first with the whole group. Then have students work in pairs to make up additional ones.

For low level, appropriate adjectives would be: happy, long, short, pretty, smart, clean, tall, small

For intermediate: lazy, wise, powerful, ugly, fresh, colorful

For advanced: juicy, graceful, brilliant, humble, sly, delicious, terrifying

4.  Have students share their comparisons and discuss them with the larger group.