Hello,my dear colleagues! Iam from Azerbaijan and work at a secondary school in Baku - the capital of Azerbaijan. I have been working as an English teacher since 1990,and always try to learn news in the process of teaching. To my mind Games are important in taeching vocabulary and i use some of them.
1.Brainstorming-I divide students into3 groups. one of the students write the word on the board,such a word- famous.The team - A,must write synonyms of the word, the team-B word combinations,the team -C must use this word in the sentences.
2.Beginnings and endings-One student says a word-elephant,The next student says a word that begins with the last letter.e.g.tiger and the game lasts. I make the game for competing.
3.Guess the word - One writes the word on the board and hides it.The other tries to make him guess the word.The class only say words that are connected.The other student who sits at the front of the class her back to the board must find the word.
- hagigat_babayeva's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Log in or register
Follow TeachingEnglish
 |
 |
 |
 |
Comments
Very useful tips for teaching vocabulary, games are really motivating not only for young learners, but also for teenagers. Can you add other helpful ideas?Thanks.
Games are a great way to keep interest and get students talking. Here are two more which enforce vocabulary. Both should be played in a circle. If that's not practical, go up and down rows in a clear order.
Categories: Start a rhythm and say "Who can name some (colors, animals, sweet food, places, etc.) such as (give an example)?" Each child in turn has to name a word that fits the category. Words can't be repeated.
Hand a child an object and say "This is a ....". The child asks you "A what?" Answer"A ...." That child tells the next "This is a ...." Child B asks child A "A what?" Child A asks you "A what?" You answer "A ...." and child A tells child B "A ...." Continue around the circle. Change appropriately for plural words.
Have fun!
Thanks a lot, this is great, very useful!
Hagigat_Babayeva's Brainstorm Variant
I like the variation on Brainstorming that you suggest, with each group's brainstorm being related to a different aspect.
Another Brainstorm Variant
Another variation that Ss enjoy is brainstorming on posters pinned up around the room. It works well if groups take turns at each poster by moving clockwise every 1min. For example, to start a lesson on furniture you can have 4 posters: Kitchen, Lounge Room, Bathroom, Bedroom. Group A starts at Kitchen, B at Lounge Room, etc. After 1min, A moves around to Loung Room, B moves around to Bathroom, etc, and they continue where the last group finished (they have to read the notes from the last gropu first, of course).
Challenge is greater than Competition
I do have one suggestion regarding "competing". Geoff Petty, in Teaching Today, suggests using "challenges" instead of competition. In a competition ONE person/group gets to feel success or achievement, but in challenges EVERYONE gets a chance to succeed!
With the first two activities hagigat_babayeva suggested, it's as easy as choosing a challenging number and then writing on the board. For example, for 'Beginnings and Endings' board:
Can your group make it to 10 words in a row?!
Then, if a group makes it to 10 in a row once, they get to go for "Double Challenge". If a group only makes it to 8, they get to try and try again. By the end, either all or nearly all groups will have met the challenge! (If they don't, then you just make sure the challenge is a bit easier next time - maybe 8 words in a row).
Make sure you congratulate all the teams that make it, and tell the groups that they don't "You were (very) close - I'm sure you'll make it next time!"
Hello,Heath! Thanks for your comment.I respect your ideas but i can't agree with you because in teaching process there is general methodology and special methodology.That is why i can't say which is greater.Then to my mind everyone must be ready to win and to lose.It is not a tragedy.They must learn these feelings and they must learn to stand on their feet.I can say that Challenge is more humanitarian than Competition.Simply,I explain, this is a game.If you want to win ,try a little, I am sure that next time they will try for victory.Your Brainstorming variant i liked too, I'll use it.I think, every teacher can create this game in different ways.The only aim in teaching English is to achive something...
Good-evening!Thanks a lot.I also use that in teaching my students.I think the weakest pupil of the class is active in the process of Games.
Thank you for your comment.
I want to share what I know about this activity.
Vocabulary Brainstorming
1.Have students brainstorm and call out as many words as they know about the topic and write them on the board.2.Go over all of the words to make sure that all students know what they mean.Try to have students use each word in a sentence.3. write the words onto the small slips of paper, put them in the plastic bag, and use them to play charades, Pictionary, or Catch Phrase.
Alternatively: Instead of using slips of paper and playing charades, Pictionary, or Catch Phrase,have students choose nine of the words, write them in a tic-tac-toe grid on paper, and play Bingo.
Veru useful games in the classroom. I have used these games. Brainstorming games are always so different from simpler level to advanced. The last gane that you posted "Guess the meaning"is interseting. I have done similar one but using mimes. I can say that students love it. I am going to use your version which I think will be successful. Beginings and endings are students' the most favourite game. They even can present abstract words using mimes. Thank you for your tips. You gave me a new idea. I should post different brainstorm activities. I hope you will post more because your ideas are interesting for me as you also work in my country and know what different challenges we have in our classrooms.
Good-afternoon,Shefeg khanum!I am grateful for your comment. As we know the main task of Azerbaijan English teachers is developing oral language, the 1st task is to develop speaking and hearing skills and habits in teaching English. Every teacher must be creative in organizing games, in teaching grammar. vocabulary, pronunciation. I think,for achieving good results we must know our students. There are a lot of games and it is impossible to organize all of them. It is very good that we have a chance to share our ideas one another. First of all we must be grateful to British Council. With best regards Hagigat.