Learning new words can be a challenging task for many students, as we often truly remember and are able to use a particular word only after we come across it many, many times. Help your ESL/EFL students review new words with these three engaging (and sometimes nerve-racking) games! 1) Grab the word To succeed in the first game, students need to listen carefully to someone describing a word and be super quick to be the first to grab the right card! You need: vocabulary cards (one word per card, one set per group) Setting: groups of 3-5 students seated around a desk Process: Spread the vocabulary cards (text side up) over the desk and start describing one of the words. Begin with a general description and gradually move to more specific clues. Students need to identify the word you are describing, and their task is to be the first to grab it. After this first round, let students take turns describing words in a similar way within their groups. The person who grabs the most vocabulary cards is the winner! ...
Providing Feedback During Speaking Activities
Obtaining high-quality feedback in ESL classes is essential for students at any level and in any educational setting. While this may not come as a surprise, providing effective feedback is easier said than done – especially during communicative activities. Here are three common questions about giving feedback during speaking tasks, along with practical tips for handling this process in the classroom. 1) Should errors be corrected during speaking practice? The short answer is: YES! But not all errors need to be corrected – and especially not immediately. ...
Make Discussion Questions Engaging
Using discussion questions in the classroom is a great way to get students talking, but it is not uncommon for them to be less engaged than we would like. Some seem to have nothing to say, while others give only short, simple answers. Either way, presenting a list of questions and asking students to discuss them in pairs does not have to be the only way to practise conversation in ESL classes. So, grab a cup of coffee and check out these three tips on how to make the most of your discussion questions. ...