Promote Healthy Vocabulary Habits in the Language Classroom
So much of what we do in the language classroom revolves around vocabulary. Students learn 500+ words a year depending on their level of study and the intensity of their studying. They are presented with many more words than they are expected to master. However, there are few textbooks out there that give students meaningful tips and techniques for learning new vocabulary, they simply give them lists, workbook pages with activities, and cross their fingers that students will learn the words quickly.
We teachers are always finding ways to help students learn vocabulary to make up for these lapses in textbooks. We use countless games, flashcards, online flashcards, and drills to promote retention. Here are a few of our favorite techniques and a free worksheet that we use when we introduce new vocabulary at the beginning of a thematic unit.
1. Las Cartas: We love quizlet, especially for promoting circumlocution, but what we also love is printing out the vocabulary words with pictures on one side and Spanish on the other to use as a game in class called "las cartas." Students work in groups of 3-5, and each group needs a stack of vocabulary flash cards (printed from quizlet). One student is "El jefe" and the other students compete to earn the cards. "El jefe" places the card down or shows the card, picture side up/out and the first person to say the word in Spanish earns the card. "El Jefe" can keep the card in case of a tie and try that card again later. Time the rounds to keep students engaged and on task, about 2-4 minutes a round. We award the winner or each round with a sticker, piece of candy, etc. That student can be "El jefe" the next round. "El jefe" is also a great job to assign to students that don't enjoy speaking aloud in class or have a lot of anxiety. They are able to participate without feeling the pressure of competing and the clock ticking.
2. Mata-Moscas: This game also requires some preparation in advance. We like to make a powerpoint slide with multiple images on it (10-20) which represent the unit vocabulary, and another with the vocabulary words on it (10-20). Place students into two teams. Each team needs a fly swatter. We project onto a hard surface, in our case a white board, but it could be a wall. Students are going to be swatting/hitting the wall, so don't try this on your smartboard (even though I have tried with cloth swatters that I made myself). The teacher says the word, definition, antonym, or any clue in Spanish and one student from each team tries to swat the corresponding image or word before the other team's player does. The winning team can get a small prize, stickers, candy, choose a fun activity for the end of class, etc.
3. Mi Vocabulario: This is not a game per say but there is a game element at the end and it really appeals to visual learners, creative students, and the art students in class. It is a vocabulary worksheet that we use at the start of each thematic unit to help students focus on "how" they memorize and learn new vocabulary. I have had students ask me for a copy of the sheet to use in other classes. First, students have boxes where they must write words that are difficult to remember and create a mnemonic device. Some examples are given below: boring or "burrito aburrido" and to swim or "nadar."
Students can make up these types of tricks alone, in groups, or you can help them. For more ideas just search mnemonics online. Next on the worksheet, there is a space for writing down words that are hard to pronounce. We use ipads, so students can write the word and record a pronunciation in Notability. After that, there is a space provided, "Las Palabras Relacionadas," for students to write the new words and add previously learned words that they associate with the word, ie. Comida (new word), and students would write cocinar & comer. Finally students create "el intruso" games for their group or partner. They write three words that have something in common and one word that is "el intruso." They can trade papers with neighbors to see if they can discover their partner's intrusos. By the end of the year, student will be comfortable with completing the sheet more autonomosly.
These are three great ways to promote healthy vocabulary habits in the L2 classroom. For more on vocabulary, check out our article on Quizlet and circumlocution.
For the vocabulary worksheet "Mi Vocabulario" check out our Teacher Pay Teachers store.
