A Jigsaw Picture Description Activity for Adult English Learners

We consulted the British Council’s guidance on pictures in class and its lesson on checking understanding. They offer picture prompts and clarification practice. The puzzle procedure below is our own adaptation for adults sharing a screen.

Choose a picture with recognizable objects and distinct positions. A desk or familiar street can give adults something concrete to name. Check that both partners want to discuss it, especially when choosing a personal photo.

Download the original desk picture for practice.

Use the desk illustration or your own permitted image in the photo puzzle maker. Choose Easy at 12 pieces and keep the reference picture available to both partners. This task uses a shared view of the picture.

Open the photo puzzle maker with your chosen picture.

Use the photo puzzle guide if you need help preparing the image.

The speaker describes a detail on a loose piece and suggests a location. The listener controls the pointer, asks about anything unclear and confirms before moving. Discuss the result, then exchange speaking roles so each person practises explaining and listening.

Use the picture’s left and right, wherever you are sitting. If a word is unfamiliar, describe the object’s colour or shape. Look up a useful noun together when needed, then return to your sentence.

Use the separate turn-taking rule card if sharing the input device needs more structure.

These model sentences refer to the desk illustration. Read a few aloud, then change an object or position to fit your image. Keep the list beside the screen during this picture puzzle speaking activity.

Ask about the uncertain part and give your partner time to answer. When you agree on the object but its position is unclear, ask about the position.

• Which object is closest to that piece?
• What colour is the part you mean?
• Where is it in relation to the blue notebook?
• What can you see along its edge?
• Does the reference picture support that location?

This original dialogue describes the desk image and a hypothetical loose piece. The failed connection is invented too. The pair return to visible details after an unsuccessful move.

The listener checks which cup is meant, then asks about the handle. If pointing replaces the explanation, pause the pointer and describe the detail aloud. Pointing can still help when words are difficult.

Read this script together for adult ESL picture description, pausing at each action. The roles belong to the activity sheet. The website does not assign them or assess what either partner says.

1. 1

   Introduce the task.

   We will use this picture to practise describing places and checking meaning. We can finish the activity with the board unfinished. Each of us will give a short description.

2. 2

   Look at the reference.

   Let’s name two objects we both recognize. Agree that left and right mean the picture’s left and right. Choose a phrase you want to try.

3. 3

   Describe and listen.

   I will describe a detail on a piece and where I think it belongs. Please ask a question before moving it. We will check that we mean the same object.

4. 4

   Check and change roles.

   After the move, say what you can see. A failed connection gives us another detail to discuss. Now you describe, and I will listen and control the pointer.

5. 5

   Finish with a description.

   Put the pointer down. Give three sentences about the whole picture, including one position and one visible detail. Tell your partner which explanation was clear and ask about anything uncertain.

Download the expressions, questions, dialogue and read-aloud script.

End when both people have described the whole picture. For the desk image, try three sentences about the two cups, the red cup’s position beside the notebook, and the bottle above it. Adapt your description to your chosen picture.

Ask your partner to repeat one location they understood and identify anything unclear. Note a phrase to use again. Review what you said and understood; puzzle completion time cannot establish that an explanation was clear.