IHWO Activity Pack - Level B2

Spoken Interaction 2 & 4 Spoken Production 1 & 4

'I can exchange considerable quantities of detailed factual information on matters within my field of
interest.’
‘I can engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on most general topics.’
‘I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.’
‘I can construct a chain of reasoned argument, linking my ideas logically.’

Dragons’ Den
Aim: Learners practise describing things and explaining processes and functions.

Topic: Inventions/Investment

Time: 45 – 60 minutes.

Concept: By describing objects that are ‘unknown’ but everyday, learners can improve their ability to
communicate. Especially if they may not have all of the vocabulary they need to perform a
function. Business groups could also use this to practise presentations.

Suggested Procedure:

1. Explain to the learners that they are investors and they have to decide whether or not your invention
is worth investing in. Don’t tell them what we call the invention until they have decided.

2. Distribute or display the advice for dragons, talking through the points with the class.

3. Demonstrate a pitch to the learners; encourage them to ask questions, even interrupting you (as
long as it is polite). Stress to the learners that they have no idea what you are trying to sell and/or don’t
believe it is feasible. Stress why the invention would be good, explaining to the best of your ability how it
works.

4. Give each learner a card. Give the group enough opportunity to prepare (this could be done in pairs).
Learners can make and use notes.

5. Each of the inventors present to a panel of 3-5 dragons. The presenters have to explain their
invention. The dragons can ask questions but should be as sceptical as they can about the possibility
and marketability of the inventions.

Extension: Once set up this framework could be used over several classes as a filler exercise, or just a
change of pace, especially with a Business English class where presentation skills are
important.

© International House World Organisation: B2 Activity Pack

By James Beddington
IHWO Activity Pack - Level B2

Spoken Interaction 2 & 4 Spoken Production 1 & 4

'I can exchange considerable quantities of detailed factual information on matters within my field of
interest.’
‘I can engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on most general topics.’
‘I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.’
‘I can construct a chain of reasoned argument, linking my ideas logically.’

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented an electronic toothbrush. You call it the Motor-Mouth-
Scrubber.
The Motor-Mouth-Scrubber  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the wheel. You call it the Spin Dragger.
The Spin Dragger  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the rocket. You call it the Exploding Air Motor.
The Exploding Air Motor  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the unicycle. You call it the Mono-Bike.
The Mono-Bike  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

© International House World Organisation: B2 Activity Pack

By James Beddington
IHWO Activity Pack - Level B2

Spoken Interaction 2 & 4 Spoken Production 1 & 4

'I can exchange considerable quantities of detailed factual information on matters within my field of
interest.’
‘I can engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on most general topics.’
‘I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.’
‘I can construct a chain of reasoned argument, linking my ideas logically.’

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the telephone. You call it the Far Talker.
The Far Talker  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the refrigerator. You call it the Chill Closet.
The Chill Closet  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the calculator. You call it the Ordination Device.
The Ordination Device  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the ballpoint pen. You call it the Neat Writer.
The Neat Writer  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

© International House World Organisation: B2 Activity Pack

By James Beddington
IHWO Activity Pack - Level B2

Spoken Interaction 2 & 4 Spoken Production 1 & 4

'I can exchange considerable quantities of detailed factual information on matters within my field of
interest.’
‘I can engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on most general topics.’
‘I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.’
‘I can construct a chain of reasoned argument, linking my ideas logically.’

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented paper. You call it Thin-Squeezed-Wood.
The Thin-Squeezed-Wood  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the internal combustion engine. You call it the Exploding
Motor (because it contains a perpetual explosion to generate force).
The Exploding Motor.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the camera. You call it the Shadow Catcher.
The Shadow Catcher.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented a time machine. You call it the Time Machine.
The Time Machine.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

© International House World Organisation: B2 Activity Pack

By James Beddington
IHWO Activity Pack - Level B2

Spoken Interaction 2 & 4 Spoken Production 1 & 4

'I can exchange considerable quantities of detailed factual information on matters within my field of
interest.’
‘I can engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on most general topics.’
‘I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.’
‘I can construct a chain of reasoned argument, linking my ideas logically.’

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented a solar powered torch. You call it the Light-At-Night.
The Light-At-Night.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the parachute. You call it the Umbrella Wing.
The Umbrella Wing.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the umbrella. You call it the Port-a-Roof.
The Port-a-Roof.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the telescope. You call it the Tube of Visions.
The Tube of Visions.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

© International House World Organisation: B2 Activity Pack

By James Beddington
IHWO Activity Pack - Level B2

Spoken Interaction 2 & 4 Spoken Production 1 & 4

'I can exchange considerable quantities of detailed factual information on matters within my field of
interest.’
‘I can engage in extended conversation in a clearly participatory fashion on most general topics.’
‘I can give clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my fields of interest.’
‘I can construct a chain of reasoned argument, linking my ideas logically.’

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the helicopter. You call it the Wing-Spinner.
The Wing-Spinner.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented the microscope. You call it the Micro-Viewer.
The Micro-Viewer.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Welcome to the Dragons’ Den. You are an entrepreneur. Here in the Dragons’ Den
your dreams can come true or it can be your worst nightmare. You and your partner
have 5 minutes to figure out how to get the Dragons to give you their hard-earned
money. You need £100 000 from them as an investment to develop your new
invention. You have invented fireworks. You call them Exploding Flowers.
Exploding Flowers.  Why is it a good invention
 How does it work? o
 Who will buy it and why? o
 How is it better than what we use now? o

Advice for Dragons

Greetings fellow Dragons! My name is Matt Baha, billionaire
investor. Some things to remember when interviewing people who
want your money.
Be sceptical, very sceptical. Ask questions, especially:
How does it work? Who will buy it?
What’s in it for me? How will it make money?
How will it be sold? How is this product different?

© International House World Organisation: B2 Activity Pack

By James Beddington