Walking Dialogues

Speaking English through movement and interaction

In our English lessons, speaking is essential. One of the activities we use to practise oral structures in a dynamic and motivating way is Walking Dialogues.

This activity helps children speak, move, interact and enjoy learning English at the same time.

Objective of the activity

Practise oral structures worked on in class
Encourage oral interaction between classmates
Improve confidence when speaking English

How does Walking Dialogues work?

Children walk or dance around the classroom while music is playing
When the music stops, they must find a partner quickly
Together, they perform a short dialogue in English

To support them, they can:

Follow a dialogue script on the screen
Use individual cards with information
Speak freely, adding their own information

Types of Walking Dialogues

Guided dialogue
The structure appears on the screen and children follow it.
Semi-guided dialogue
Each child has a card with specific information to include.
Free dialogue
Children use the structure but add their own ideas and personal information.

Why do we use Walking Dialogues?

From a didactic point of view, this type of activity:

Promotes meaningful oral communication
Reduces fear of making mistakes
Encourages active participation
Combines movement and learning, improving attention
Helps children practise language in a real communicative context

Walking Dialogues are especially effective in Primary Education, where movement plays a key role in learning.

When can we use this activity?

Walking Dialogues are very versatile and can be used as:

Warm-up at the beginning of the lesson
Practice activity after introducing new structures
Reinforcement activity to consolidate learning
Speaking routine throughout the school year

Tips for using Walking Dialogues in the classroom

Keep dialogues short and clear
Model the dialogue before starting
Change partners often to increase interaction
Use music and movement to keep motivation high
Offer visual support (screen, cards, gestures)
Focus on communication, not perfection

Nas clases de inglés, a expresión oral é fundamental. Unha das actividades que empregamos para practicar estruturas orais de forma dinámica e motivadora é Walking Dialogues.

Esta actividade permite que o alumnado fale, se mova, interactúe e goce aprendendo inglés ao mesmo tempo.