This activity can be used for all levels in teaching English as a second language. I use it mainly for intermediate students and they find it interesting.

Preparation

The teacher uses a vocabulary box. This box must mainly comprise of words on pieces of paper (either verbs, adjectives, adverbs etc.) all said by the learners themselves in previous lessons. Importantly a lot of words are required for this activity.

Procedure

  • The box with all the words is circulated around the class. Each learner is given a chance to pick a word from which he / she will have to construct a short and grammatical sentence.
  • Each sentence said is written on the board just as the speaker said it. After 12 to 20 sentences the sentences are analysed to see if they are grammatically correct with the emphasis placed mainly on the word from the vocabulary box.
  • Correction of the sentences can then be done and learners, again depending on time available, prompted to produce the correct sentences with the same word from the box.

It really gets learners talking while at the same time identifying their mistakes. 
 

Comments

Submitted by Niki7 on Sat, 09/20/2025 - 20:13

Good activity, but how to assess the student? It would be better to give assessment criteria

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Thu, 09/25/2025 - 07:56

In reply to by Niki7

Hi Niki7

Thanks for your comment. 

There are lots of different ways to assess learners with vocabulary. 

This article gives some ideas about informal assessment, which might be appropriate for this kind of activity:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/professional-development/teachers/knowing-subject/d-h/informal-assessment

You can also find lots of useful information about assessment with our assessing learning pathway:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/professional-development/teachers/professional-development-pathways/pathways-assessing-learning

Or by watching our recent inclusive assessment webinar event:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/news-and-events/webinars/webinars-teachers/inclusive-assessment-webinars

I hope you find these resources useful,

Cath

TeachingEnglish team

 

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