Starter activity - Talkabout

Quiz shows are always a massive source of inspiration when it comes to starters and plenaries. Here’s one I ‘devised’ which was based on a popular quiz show circa 1990 – 1993.

The show was called Talkabout and was hosted by then popular light entertainer, Andrew O’ Connor. A very simple format which involved two teams of people talking about a topic and trying to hit 10 key words. This is perfect for business and can be played two ways.

Firstly, I think of 10 key words on a topic we have just covered, for example, organisational structures. I have the words on the board but hidden from view. I then ask for a volunteer to come to the front and face the class. I reveal the words to the rest of the group and the volunteer has to talkabout the topic with the aim of hitting as many key words as possible. The time allowed is 60 seconds.

However, a far more inclusive way to play is to ask for a volunteer and then send him/ her out of the room. The rest of the group then discusses what the 10 key words should be and we then put these on the board. Volunteer comes in and away we go.

It’s a really fun way of recapping a topic you have just taught and at the end you can question the students on each of the key terms. Everyone’s a winner.