In addition to core reading skills, acquiring vocabulary is a core part of an ESL curriculum. However, a successful vocabulary activity is dependent on a variety of factors and considerations. This article provides the ESL teachers with a lesson planning framework for implementing vocabulary games in an ESL class for all types of English language learners.

1

Identify the purpose of the vocabulary game. Reinforce and use new vocabulary to teach. Try a guessing game such as "Hangman" or "I spy" to help ELLs learn new words in a fun and easy to learn manner.

2

Decide on the organization of the lesson. An important part of any lesson planning is deciding on how long students will practice new vocabulary words. Vocabulary games should engage the students for a good 20 minutes should be preceded by some kind of lead-in.

3

Provide clear instruction. An ideal vocabulary lesson should provide a balance between the teacher's input and student work without the class going out of control. Teachers should also spend 5-10 minutes introducing, explaining and modeling the procedures of the vocabulary activity depnding on how large is the group. Instructions should be as clear as possible.

4

Identify the level of the vocabulary game. A good vocabulary game appeals to all types of learners from lower perfomring to advanced levels. The general type of vocabulary game you choose for your English language learners should be challenging but not too difficult. If the language is too difficult, ELLs (English language learners) won't make an effort to learn. It may be necessary to adapt the language of the vocabulary game and/or activity to suit the learning abilities of the lower performing group as needed.

5

There are also pedagogical considerations for choosing good vocabulary activities. In general, the methodology of a vocabulary activity should be meaningful, interesting and flexible. Students should be encouraged to use language communicatively with their peers. In general, teachers should look for vocabulary games that reinforce the vocabulary they have already taught in a pre-reading activity.The type of vocabulary should create motivation and purpose for doing the activity.

6

Decide on the materials and other procedures. Decide on which materials are needed in order to successfully implement the vocabulary games and/or activities. Plan a backup in case the vocabulary activity cannot be implemented. Other procedures should also be decided such as organizing the students into groups or in pairs and if students are expected to move around or participate frontally. Consider how you will pre-teach the new vocabulary. Some teachers present vocabulary words orally while some write them on the board accompanied with pictures. Either way, the choice is yours but keep in mind, that students need to see the word at least 6-7 times before they are expected to know its meaning.

Tips

Teachers should be clear when they present instructions for a vocabulary game.

For the first few times, avoiding using too many words in a vocabulary game. It can be too overwhelming. Nine to ten words is ideal.

Vocabulary games should be presented in both isolated and in sentence contexts.

In bilingual classes, teachers should use the students mother tongue to explain and facilitate instructions.