How to Ace Your Demo Lesson: Teaching Possessive Adjectives to Young Learners

So, you’ve landed a demo lesson interview. The brief is specific: introduce HIS and HER to young students who already know basic “Is this a…?” questions. The pressure is on, but with a clear, engaging plan, you can showcase your teaching skills brilliantly. Let’s break down a winning strategy.

Starting Strong: The Warm-Up

First, never start cold. Begin with a high-energy review game of the old pattern.

• Use flashcards (kite, watch, hat) and ask the class: “Is this a kite?”
• Get them chanting the “Yes, this is a…” and “No, this is not a…” responses as a group.
• This builds confidence, activates prior knowledge, and sets a positive, participatory tone.

Introducing Gender: Make it Visual & Personal

The core challenge is linking HIS/HER to gender and possession.

• Use Clear Visuals: Show two large, happy cartoon faces—one clearly a boy, one clearly a girl. Label them “BOY” and “GIRL”.
• Use Physical Props: Hold up a real hat. Place it next to the boy’s picture and say, “This is HIS hat.” Do the same with a watch next to the girl: “This is HER watch.”
• Involve the Students: Ask a boy in the class to stand up. Gently place the hat on his desk and say, “This is HIS hat.” Repeat with a girl and the watch. This creates a direct, memorable link.

Teaching Possession: The Connection is Key

Now, connect the adjective to the idea of ownership.

• Use the phrase “It belongs to…” alongside the new grammar.
• Point to the boy’s hat and say, “HIS hat. It belongs to him.” Use a gesture like pointing to the boy.
• Do choral repetition: “His hat. Her watch. His kite.” Have them point to the correct cartoon face as they speak.

Reinforcing “Yes” & “No” Answers

You’ve already reviewed this in the warm-up. Now, integrate it with the new language.

• Hold up the hat near the boy’s picture. Ask: “Is this HIS hat?”
• Model the answer with exaggerated gestures: “YES! (thumbs up) This is HIS hat.”
• Then move the hat to the girl’s picture and ask: “Is this HIS hat?” Model: “NO! (thumbs down) This is not HIS hat. This is HER hat.”

Get Them Moving: TPR & Engagement

Young learners need to move! Incorporate Total Physical Response (TPR).

• Assign actions: point to yourself for “my,” point to a boy for “his,” point to a girl for “her.”
• Play a “Point & Say” game. Shout out “HIS hat!” and students must point to the boy’s picture or a boy in class.
• Pass objects around. As a student holds a watch, ask the class: “Is this HER watch?” They answer based on who is holding it.

The Practice Game: “Whose Is It?”

This simple, no-prep game is perfect for practice.

• Gather props (hat, watch, kite drawing) and get 3-4 students to the front.
• Give each student an item, ensuring a mix of boys and girls.
• Point to an item and ask the class: “Is this HIS kite?”
• The class must answer in a full sentence: “Yes, this is HIS kite,” or “No, this is not HIS kite. This is HER kite.”
• It’s interactive, fun, and forces production of the target language.

Motivation: The Secret Sauce

Create a positive, encouraging environment.

• Use plenty of praise: “Excellent job!” “Great pronunciation!”
• Award small stickers or stamps for participation.
• Keep the pace snappy and fun. Your energy is contagious! If you’re smiling and enthusiastic, they will be too.

Remember, the interviewer wants to see your methodology, your ability to scaffold new knowledge, and your rapport with young learners. Show them you can build a lesson step-by-step, make it active, and make it stick.