Step 1: Preparation 

Prepare to show the class the illustrations of sounds in different language found on soundimals: https://www.soundimals.com/home#/sounds-all-around/. They can be either printed out or be shown on a screen/projector.  

Step 2: Introduction 

Show the class the different illustrations and have the expression read out loud by students. Ask them how each sound is expressed in their language(s) and especially in [the minority language]. 

Step 3: Sound game 

Each student receives 2 to 4 empty rectangular/square cards of the same size. Ask every student to secretly write down a sound in their language, preferably [the minority language], on one side of the cards and the description on the other side, also in [the minority language]. Collect the cards and show the class the first card, the side with the sound on it only. Ask the students to mimic the sound and let the class guess what makes that sound. Familiarise the students with the description terms in [the minority language]. 

Tip: This could also be made into a memory game.  

• Each student receives 4 (for 2 pairs) or 6 (for 3 pairs, in smaller groups) empty rectangular/square cards of the same size. Ask every student to secretly write down a sound in their language, preferably [the minority language], on one card and the description of the sound on another card. The back of all cards remains empty.  

• The cards are then collected(, potentially divided into several decks) and dealt out, writing facing down. The students can now connect the sounds to the description. 

Examples: animal sounds (dog, cat, pig, bee, owl, cow, songbird, …), human sounds/emotions (sneezing, kissing, drinking, when something is delicious, when you are cold, when you scare someone, …), rain, fireworks/explosion, … 

Step 4: Closing 

Draw the attention of the students again to the words they have learnt/used in [the minority language]. Ask the class which new sounds they have encountered. Which was most interesting/funny/…? Were there different sounds for the same example in [the minority language]?