Competitive Word Game To Practise Topic Vocabulary in Language Classrooms
Fast-Paced ‘Chain Game’ Vocabulary Practice Activity for All Language Lessons Have you ever played that word game on a long car journey where you pick a topic and everyone takes a turn to say a word that starts with the last letter of the previous word? It keeps going until there’s a winner who always takes their turn? The topic-based vocabulary game can get quite competitive and it works something like this: Topic: COUNTRIESPerson A: LatviaPerson B: AustriaPerson C: Armeniaetc repeat OR Topic: FOOD ITEMSPerson A: HamburgerPerson B: Red PepperPerson C: Rollmopsetc repeat etc? Whether you have played it or not, it’s a great vocabulary practice idea for language lessons!…
How To Learn Vocabulary & Boost Students’ Confidence in Language Lessons
Help Students To Learn Vocabulary in Language Lessons Without Them Knowing! When I get a new French or German GCSE tutee or a group of GCSE language students, we do a quick diagnostic. I ask the students to select two areas that they feel they need help with and why. This includes: vocabulary in language lessons, speaking, reading, writing, listening, grammar and translation. Although it varies, generally, the two main areas for concern for my language students are: VocabularyFeeling overwhelmed at the level of vocabulary they are required to know. Especially for communication, understanding and exams, as well as lack of exposure and practice. ConfidenceConfidence issues when speaking, listening and…
Quiz Quiz Trade – Fun Vocabulary Building Activity for Language Lessons
Background into Vocabulary Building British Linguist, David Crystal states: Vocabulary is a matter of word-building, as well as word use. I totally agree with him. You have to learn vocabulary, but physically use it too. That’s why Quiz Quiz Trade is an effective vocabulary building activity for language lessons. Not only does it combine vocabulary building, it promotes understanding, as well as meaningful interaction between people. That’s what language learning is about right, communication and interaction between people? Many language teaching professionals advise not to teach vocabulary in isolation. Whilst, I agree with this theory to some extent, according to the National Reading Panel (2000), one principle of effective vocabulary…
Low-Prep Speaking and Vocabulary Practice Activity for Language Lessons – Taboo
Easy To Play Vocabulary and Speaking Practice Game for the Language Classroom As usual, I am always on the hunt for useful speaking and vocabulary activities for vocabulary and speaking practice! Especially low-prep speaking tasks to help my language learners to develop confidence in speaking. Luckily, I remembered this one recently and have used it with some of my KS3 German students for general speaking practice, as well as for food & drink practice. Taboo is a very low-prep, easy to play vocabulary practice speaking game. The activity is an oldie, but definitely a goodie! This speaking game with a vocabulary focus definitely works better face to face, especially with…
Fun Vocabulary Game for All Language Lessons with No Prep – 10 Words
Fast-Paced, Fun and Competitive Vocabulary Activity for All Language Classrooms If you are like me and get flustered easily when things aren’t working well at the beginning of your language lesson or you have a few minutes to spare during an English, French, German or Spanish lesson, try this fast-paced, competitive fun vocabulary game for language lessons out with your groups. This topic based vocabulary game for language lessons: is a relay-race has a competitive element to get all students in your class involved and stay on task is absolutely no-prep can be used for ANY topic is suitable for most levels (probably any level higher than CEFR A1.2) takes around…
Acrostic Whiteboard Vocabulary Building Activity
WORD ACROSTIC – VOCABULARY PRACTICE FOR LANGUAGE LESSONS There are so many vocabulary building activities that you can use in the language classroom and this one is one of my absolute favourites! Not only is this vocabulary building activity completely NO-PREP, it’s also very high impact and can be used at the beginning of a topic as a starter, as well as used as revision. I recently used the acrostic vocabulary builder to introduce the topic of ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ with one of my older groups. Some found it tricky, others enjoyed the challenge – there were a lot of food items on the list! What Do You Need To Carry…
Vocabulary Building Activity – Last Man Standing
Fun Vocabulary Building Game for Language Classrooms This vocabulary building activity is a game that is a little different to my other vocabulary games for the language classroom! The difference being that it has students standing up in a circle to begin with. Although this vocabulary game is supposed to be played at a fast pace, it does allow for a moment of thinking-time. In addition, it lends itself well for students to learn vocabulary and pick up on pronunciation from their peers. LAST MAN STANDING – VOCABULARY ACTIVITY Vocabulary Activity Resources Required:Soft ball or your choice of plush toyWhen To Use:Anytime. But works well as a starter or plenary.…
Vocab, Speaking and Writing Prompts – ‘Take Your Pick’
Useful Vocabulary, Speaking and Writing Prompts for Language Classrooms As a language teacher, I am always on the look out for interesting activities. Especially speaking and writing prompts. Mainly, because I use them to help my students with vocabulary recall, new vocabulary and develop grammar structures in the language classroom. Where Did The ‘Take Your Pick’ Vocabulary Prompts Come From? Last week, I found this ‘I Spy’ worksheet whilst browsing the web. I felt it was a brilliant starting point for revising vocabulary and learning new words and perfect inspiration for speaking and writing. What Is This Activity Useful For? Whilst it’s not quite the traditional guessing game of ‘I…
Emojis Verb Builder To Learn and Revise Verbs
Use Emojis To Revise and Learn Vocabulary Last year, I wrote a post entitled Emojis Vocabulary Builder. Students receive a worksheet with chunks of emojis based around different themes. They annotate the sheet to revise vocabulary or develop their bank of vocabulary. Surprisingly, the worksheets were very well received by modern language teachers and students! Thanks to Twitter, I learnt that today, 17th July, is #WorldEmojiDay. At the same time, I also learnt that Apple will be adding a ‘yawn’ emoji – cue favourite, newest, overused emoji! Therefore, I decided to adapt my emoji vocabulary builder activity even further and make it perfect for language learners who want to learn…
10 Fun Ideas To Teach Vocabulary In Your Classroom
Learn Vocabulary Using Fun Activities Both from personal and professional experience, learning and being able to use vocabulary is a vital component to having confidence and being successful in communicating in any foreign language. Therefore it is important to teach vocabulary well to help students acquire and use the language, as well as develop that confidence. I recently travelled to Spain and managed to communicate with hand gestures and the words I remembered from doing my GCSE in one year, in 2003. I didn’t need grammar, because I could communicate with the words I knew and recognised. However, I certainly would have felt more confident if I had had more vocabulary…
