What Are You Doing?

Age: 7 to adult
Players: Whole Group, Pairs
Time: 10-15 minutes
Tags: #Concentration #Language-Learning #Mime

Quick thinking and action is essential in this funny mime and language game.

Stand in a circle. The first person (A) starts miming an activity, such as eating an apple. The person to their left (B) says “What are you doing?”. A keeps miming and at the same time calls out a different activity. For example, if A is “eating an apple”, they can say “playing the piano”. Then B plays the piano. A stops their action. Now the next person (C) asks B , “What are you doing?”. B keeps playing the piano, but names a different activity, which C must mime. And so it goes on.

There should be no repetition or similar activities. For example if you’re “climbing a ladder” don’t say “climbing the stairs”. Equally, don’t name an activity which looks like the one you’re doing. For example, if you’re cleaning a window, don’t say “waving good-bye” – because it looks similar! Watch the video for more tips.

Director’s Tip

  • Play the fast version with a partner: One partner mimes an activity and the other asks, “What are you doing?”. Then it’s the same as above, but just swopping between the two players.

What Are You Doing?

Age: 7 to adult
Players: Whole Group, Pairs
Time: 10-15 minutes
Tags: #Concentration #Language-Learning #Mime

Quick thinking and action is essential in this funny mime and language game.

Stand in a circle. The first person (A) starts miming an activity, such as eating an apple. The person to their left (B) says “What are you doing?”. A keeps miming and at the same time calls out a different activity. For example, if A is “eating an apple”, they can say “playing the piano”. Then B plays the piano. A stops their action. Now the next person (C) asks B , “What are you doing?”. B keeps playing the piano, but names a different activity, which C must mime. And so it goes on.

There should be no repetition or similar activities. For example if you’re “climbing a ladder” don’t say “climbing the stairs”. Equally, don’t name an activity which looks like the one you’re doing. For example, if you’re cleaning a window, don’t say “waving good-bye” – because it looks similar! Watch the video for more tips.

Director’s Tip

  • Play the fast version with a partner: One partner mimes an activity and the other asks, “What are you doing?”. Then it’s the same as above, but just swopping between the two players.

DRAMA DOWNLOAD

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Drama Games for Language Teaching (teenage to adult)

Drama Games for Language Teaching (teenage to adult)

Students love language learning when they play drama games. These fourteen fun activities have been developed by David Farmer over many years and are suitable for all ages and language levels. Activities include: Where Am I?, Adverb Game, Word Tennis, Magic Scarf, Giving Presents, Guess the Emotion, Count to 20 and Ten Second Objects.

Buy the 5-page Drama Games for Language Teaching (PDF) for just £5.49 with credit/debit card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.