Brief Outline:  Internationalization! Let kids have fun deciphering English text message language.

Materials Needed

Preparation Needed:

• Copy the worksheet

Teaching Suggestions:

• If allowed you can show your cell phone as a teaching aide.

Detailed Explanation:

1. Talk to students about text messages. They should be familiar with them! If you can, show how difficult it is to use a cell phone to type in English and explain there is text message slang.
2. Pass out the worksheet and have the students look at the first example (C U). Have the students read it out loud and guess what the meaning might be. After they get the hang of it, have them complete the worksheet.
3. After they finish go over the answers.
4. Pass out scrap paper and have students compose a text message to you. You might get some hilarious and creative results! (Example-3p means sleepy)

Variations and Options:

• Compose text messages back to your students

Cautions:

• Don’t bring your cell phone to class without checking with your JTE.  Most schools have strict anti-cell phone rules.

Attachments:

TextMessageEnglish