This is a great speaking activity that I used with my adult learners back when I used to work in a language school... ( but I had 12 students in the class then:)

I found it useful to pre-teach some of the vocabulary they might need to complete this task and they were : exclusive, affair, to sue, solid(proof) , to withdraw, to turn down.

Put students into groups of 4 and give each student a role-card. Set the task and monitor the groups during the activity. Students have 15 minutes to talk to each other and make a decision. The groups then tell their classmates about their decision by supporting their answers.

TASK : You are part of the editorial team for " GOSSIP" magazine which features celebrity gossip, fashion, music and film news. As a team you are meeting to decide what stories will be published and what order they will appear in the next edition of the magazine.You will all be given a card which describes the role you must take.

AIM: You should make sure you show good listening skills while trying to ensure that you get your own views across.

IN THE END , you must agree on:

the lead story for the magazine-this will be used in TV and billboard advertising-
the second and third lead stories in this month's magazine
the cover image

HERE ARE THE ROLE CARDS FOR THE STUDENTS:

1) THE EDITOR: ( You must consider all stories and get your colleagues to agree on the best order to create the biggest sales)

You are new to the post and since you arrived the magazine hasn't been as successful as it was before. You need a top selling magazine next issue!

2) THE FILM EDITOR : ( You think this is the story that the magazine should lead)

A new film is out. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are starring in it. This is their first film together since they got married. Your magazine has pictures from the premiere and a promise of a joint interview- which would be exclusive!

The couple want a high profile spot in the magazine and without this they will offer the interview to your rival magazine and you still ave the premiere photos.

3) THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST :( YOU THINK THIS STORY IS TOO GOOD NOT TO USE:)

A famous footballer ( how about Beckham??) has been caught on film leaving the " Dreamhill1 Hotel at 7am. he is married and he has had affairs before. He has three children.( and a skinny, trendy wife called Victoria maybe :) You have photos of him leaving and it's clear that he stayed overnight. You have no solid proof that he is having an affair apart from these six photos. the " Dreamhill" hotel is where a famous celebrity is staying at the moment. Could she be the mysterious lady? The footballer will sue you if you print the pics and he has won damages of 3 million dollars from magazines and papers that print stories about him!

4) THE MUSIC EDITOR ( YOU ARE VERY EXCITED BY THE OFFER FROM MADONNA'S PUBLICITY TEAM)

Madonna is offering a full access interview and exclusive photos from her tour -something she rarely does... But there's a catch..She will only do the interview if she is guaranteed her story will be the main cover story and the main interview in the magazine. If you don't agree to her terms, she will withdraw her offer. ıt will be unlikely that you'll get another offer like this from her if you turn her down.