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≠ dýUF« œbF« ≠ W¹uÐdð ȃ— ∑± English Corner Games are an excellent way to practice spelling and vocabulary because they spark student interest and allow them to have fun and interact with each other, thus developing communication skills. The games provided here are suitable for almost all ages and levels because they can be adapted to incorporate vocabulary items from the curriculum being used. They can be used in the classroom each day as five-minute warmer and cooler activities. Secret Codes The teacher first writes the alphabet in eight numbered sections on the blackboard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 abc def ghi jkl mno pqrs tuv wxyz The teacher then thinks of a word and writes the section number for each letter on the blackboard. For example, if the word chosen is apple, the teacher would write 16642 on the blackboard. The students are asked to decode the word by selecting letters from the appropriate section. The teacher can then provide a number of other examples such as money which is 55528. Students can then be divided into pairs or small groups and asked to create their own example and to test each other. Vocabulary and Spelling Games for the English Language Classroom Backward Spelling This activity can be adapted to suit both beginning and advanced level students by selecting words of varying difficulty. Choosing a word that you want to recycle, either from the curriculum or from a previous lesson, begin to spell the word for the students backwards. For beginning students, the word tree would go like this: ‘E,’ ‘EE,’ ‘EER,’ until the students guessed the correct word. After conducting a few examples for the students, allow them to continue the activity in small groups or pairs. Word Circle The teacher first divides the students into two groups. One group sits in a circle facing outwards. Each student has a piece of paper and begins by writing the first letter of a word followed by dashes which represent the missing letters: e _ _ _ _ _ _ _. The second group of students stand one each in front of one of the seated students and guesses what the second letter might be. If the guess is correct the seated student writes the letter in the dash, but if the guess is incorrect it is left blank. The standing students then rotate around the circle of seated students until the word is completed correctly: elephant. This is an excellent way to review vocabulary unit by unit, for example, as a list of words can be used instead of just one. Introduction In this issue, the English Corner features a host of vocabulary games and activities for young learners, two lesson plans designed around reading skills, vocabulary development and genre analysis using film reviews as a theme, suggestions for parents on how to minimize the effects of stress and trauma on children, and, finally, an exploration into the benefits of using Arabic in the English language classroom. For further English language resources and activities, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Vocabulary and Spelling Games for the English Language ...qattanfoundation.org/.../u2/vocabulary_and_spelling_games_10_021.pdf · 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 abc def ghi jkl mno ... Vocabulary

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Page 1: Vocabulary and Spelling Games for the English Language ...qattanfoundation.org/.../u2/vocabulary_and_spelling_games_10_021.pdf · 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 abc def ghi jkl mno ... Vocabulary

≠ dýUF�« œbF�« ≠ W¹uÐdð ȃ— ∑±

English Corner

Games are an excellent way to practice spelling andvocabulary because they spark student interest and allowthem to have fun and interact with each other, thusdeveloping communication skills. The games providedhere are suitable for almost all ages and levels becausethey can be adapted to incorporate vocabulary items fromthe curriculum being used. They can be used in theclassroom each day as five-minute warmer and cooleractivities.

Secret CodesThe teacher first writes the alphabet in eight numberedsections on the blackboard:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8abc def ghi jkl mno pqrs tuv wxyz

The teacher then thinks of a word and writes the sectionnumber for each letter on the blackboard. For example,if the word chosen is apple, the teacher would write16642 on the blackboard. The students are asked todecode the word by selecting letters from the appropriatesection. The teacher can then provide a number of otherexamples such as money which is 55528. Students canthen be divided into pairs or small groups and asked tocreate their own example and to test each other.

Vocabulary and Spelling Games forthe English Language Classroom

Backward SpellingThis activity can be adapted to suit both beginning andadvanced level students by selecting words of varyingdifficulty. Choosing a word that you want to recycle,either from the curriculum or from a previous lesson,begin to spell the word for the students backwards. Forbeginning students, the word tree would go like this: ‘E,’‘EE,’ ‘EER,’ until the students guessed the correct word.After conducting a few examples for the students, allowthem to continue the activity in small groups or pairs.

Word CircleThe teacher first divides the students into two groups.One group sits in a circle facing outwards. Each studenthas a piece of paper and begins by writing the first letterof a word followed by dashes which represent the missingletters: e _ _ _ _ _ _ _. The second group of students standone each in front of one of the seated students and guesseswhat the second letter might be. If the guess is correct theseated student writes the letter in the dash, but if the guessis incorrect it is left blank. The standing students thenrotate around the circle of seated students until the wordis completed correctly: elephant. This is an excellent wayto review vocabulary unit by unit, for example, as a listof words can be used instead of just one.

IntroductionIn this issue, the English Corner features a host of vocabulary games and activities for young learners, two lesson plansdesigned around reading skills, vocabulary development and genre analysis using film reviews as a theme, suggestionsfor parents on how to minimize the effects of stress and trauma on children, and, finally, an exploration into the benefitsof using Arabic in the English language classroom. For further English language resources and activities, contact

[email protected] or [email protected].