Create a dialogue between two puppets that reflects the language skills you are trying to teach, using any type of puppet---from simple sock puppets to plush dolls. Gain inspiration from popular stories or choose a topic that is of interest to your group, such as animals for young children, sports for teens or relationships for adults.
Memorize or familiarize yourself with the dialogue and present this to the class, letting the puppets develop a personality.
Check for understanding by asking open-ended questions of the audience. Depending on the age of the group, you can ask questions as the teacher or as the puppet.
Put students in groups of two to four and have them create a short puppet play with each person controlling one puppet.
Present students with a topic or let them choose their own and explain that they are to use the language skills they are learning when creating their dialogue. Ask them to write down specific lines for each puppet character to say.
Allow class time for puppet creation, if possible. Please see Resources for simple puppet-making instructions.
Present these student-created puppet plays in class, letting each group perform for their peers.
Ask open-ended questions of group members, guiding them to answer questions as their puppets and using their new language skills.