Hello everyone—long time no see! I haven’t written any posts this semester. I have four preps, and I’m working during my conference period. My main priority after teaching and being a university mentor has been working out, because it keeps me sane and supports my mental health.

But enough about me. This is the last week of school before break, and I want to share a fun game to help end the semester on a high note. This game works best after you have provided students with enough contextualized and compelling input.

I first heard about this game while my students were playing it in my classroom during lunch. The game is called “Imposter, Who?” Students play it using a single device. A secret word is chosen, and everyone must say a word related to it. The impostors don’t know the word and must try to blend in—and later defend themselves. The best way to understand it is to try it out.

Here’s how I adapted it for my class:

I chose five students who know their vocabulary well to come to the front of the class. Each student receives a card or Post-it note with a word written on it. The word can be anything we have learned in class, such as vocabulary, a character’s name, or a place from a story or book. All students receive the same word, except that on one card, the word “imposter” is also written.

Next, students write something about the word on a mini whiteboard—a definition, a synonym, a description, etc. They then show their boards and read what they wrote aloud to the class.

The rest of the class is divided into two or three groups. They listen to the students’ responses and must guess who the imposter is and what the original word was. If a team guesses both correctly, they earn two points. Repeat this process several times.

Example 1

Word given to students: maison (house)
Students wrote in French:

• It can be big or small
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• The door

Example 2 (from La classe de Confessions)

Word given to students: Monsieur Martin
Students wrote in French:

• He talks a lot
• He is boring
• He talks and talks
• He doesn’t accept late work
• He annoys Charles

Good luck making it through this last week, and enjoy your well-deserved break!