Secret Code

I sometimes give instructions to my students written in code that they have to interpret before completing tasks. I've used this at various levels:

Here's an example: to revise alphabet and simple present verbs/vocab.

• Tell students the code e.g. each code letter represents the letter that comes before it in the alphabet a is b, m is n, 'dbu' is cat etc.
• Then they decode their message and do the task:
  • xbml up uif cpbse - walk to the board
  • kvnq ufo ujnft - jump ten times

• used more complex codes,
• let them work the code out for themselves,
• have not defined where words end,
• have given more complicated tasks or vocabulary
• or given them half an instruction which they must decode and then find the classmate with the other half of their task information.