Teaching clothes enters into nearly every course book for teens whichis understandable really, as we wear them everyday. I've recently been given a digital camera (my first!) and so with it I prepared the following for my Upper Intermediate teen class.

I'm not suggesting you show this one in class – I'm sure your students aren'tinterested in the fusty old clothes of an English teacher they don't even know!Rather, I'm suggesting that your students probably will be interested in your 4 favourite garments.

The basic procedure is:

1.Go to your wardrobe and photograph 4 things.2.Upload them onto 4 powerpoint slides.

You could also:

3. Add a paragraph on each.4. Add some conversation questions to mix up listening, then speaking for each slide.5. Add an assignment rubric page which the students can read from the PowerPoint presentation.

So I went to my wardrobe and tried to choose 4 special items of clothing. First I came upwith my old snakeskin cowboy boots. I know that this isn't very animal friendly – my excuseis that I bought them many, many years ago, before I'd really thought about the issues.Would I still buy them now? Probably not. In any case, I've worn these boots all over theworld. They're starting to show it now as well.

My 4 favourite items of clothing.

Name: ChrisAge: 36Job: English teacher

Questions: Would you wear animal skin shoes? There are snakeskin pattern bags inin some stores in town. Are they cool or tacky? Are cowboy boots 'in' or 'out'? Would you wear them?

Another favourite of mine is my collectionof strangely patterned ties. Most ofthem come from second hand clothingand charity shops because you can'tget some of these patterns new.

Most of these were presents. the gold andblue ones were from my mum and the green ones from my sister. I wear themto work (in the winter!), even though I don't really have to wear a tie. Some peoplelaugh at my funny ties because they say thepatterns don't match my shirts. They mightbe right, but I don't care very much. I like my ties and I'm going to keep on wearing them!

Questions: Have you ever worn a tie? Are they just for boys or can girls wear them too? Do you have a favourite pattern from the ones in the picture? Would you take a teacher more or less seriously if they wore a tie? Do you have any clothes that other people laugh at? If so, does thisstop you wearing them? How much do you care about other people's opinions?

These are a pair of leather slippers that my brother-in-law got me from Morocco. They're oldand tired now but they've lasted well and they are very comfortable. As soon as I get outof bed, I go looking for them!

Questions: Are slippers just for old people? Do you have a pair? What do you normally wear on your feet in the house? When I was a kid my parents told me not to walk about barefooted. Do/Did yours? Is there any sense behind this?

This is a green and white cardiganthat my partner and her mum got me a couple of years ago.

I particularly like this one asthe sleeves are quite baggy and the cuffs aren't too tight. It'swool but it isn't itchy – which issomething can't stand.

The only problem is that the zipis broken at the moment and I have to get it fixed.

Questions: Do you have any items of clothes that are broken and need fixing? Do you wearwoollen garments? If so, do you find them itchy too? Would you wear this cardigan, orsomething similar to it?

The ASSIGNMENTNow it's your turn! Go home, have a look at your wardrobe and pick 4 garments (not underwear) to talk about.

This is basicaly a writing assignment, so we're looking for a short paragraph on each. Try to use some interesting vocabulary and recycle some of the language we've looked at in class. The language doesn't have to be formal, so you can use contractions.

If you'd prefer to take some photos and make a power point like this one then fine. There are several options, for example, youcould present it to the class and include questions for discussionas I have here. However, if you are using photos from home, youmust check that your parents are happy for you to use them first.

Whether you do the written version or the PowerPoint, if your text is good, you will get the same points. Remember though – you must do one of them as this forms part of the course.