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Order your books on Amazon!This activity focuses on helping students learn different types of pronouns (subject, object, possessive, and reflexive) and how to use them correctly in sentences. By replacing nouns with pronouns, students will practice making their sentences smoother and avoiding repetition.
Student Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Pronouns ESL Activity Preparation:
Prepare a worksheet that lists simple sentences with repeated nouns, such as “Lisa likes Lisa’s cat because Lisa’s cat is very cute.” Leave space for students to rewrite these sentences using pronouns (e.g., “Lisa likes her cat because it is very cute”).
Create a chart that categorizes pronouns into subject (e.g., he, she, they), object (e.g., him, her, them), possessive (e.g., his, her, their), and reflexive (e.g., himself, herself, themselves). Additionally, gather a set of flashcards with nouns and pronouns written on them for a group sorting activity.
Pronouns ESL Activity Guidelines:
Begin by introducing pronouns and their purpose: to replace nouns in a sentence and make it less repetitive. Write an example on the board, such as, “Maria is Maria’s friend,” and then show how it can be rewritten as, “Maria is her friend.”
Discuss the different types of pronouns and their roles in sentences. For example, subject pronouns (e.g., “he”) replace the subject of a sentence, while object pronouns (e.g., “him”) replace the object.
Distribute the prepared worksheet and have students work individually or in pairs to rewrite sentences using pronouns. Encourage them to think carefully about the role each pronoun plays in the sentence. For example, in the sentence “John gave John’s book to Mary,” students might rewrite it as “John gave his book to her.”
Once students have completed the worksheet, review their answers as a class, discussing any common mistakes and clarifying the use of each type of pronoun.
Next, move on to the flashcard activity. Divide students into small groups and give each group a set of flashcards. Instruct them to sort the flashcards into categories: subject pronouns, object pronouns, possessive pronouns, and reflexive pronouns.
Once sorted, have each group create sentences using pronouns from each category. For example, they might use “she” (subject pronoun) in “She is studying,” and “herself” (reflexive pronoun) in “She did the homework herself.” Groups can share their sentences with the class to provide further examples.
Follow-Up ESL Activities:
For follow-up, ask students to write a short paragraph about their family or a recent experience, using at least five pronouns. Encourage them to include a mix of subject, object, and possessive pronouns.
Alternatively, play a pronoun replacement game where students take turns rewriting sentences you read aloud, substituting nouns with pronouns. This activity reinforces their understanding in a fun and interactive way.
For a fun game to reinforce the grammar concepts, try using pronouns in the ESL Bingo Activity.