For any new unit you start in your ESL class there will most likely be a group of words that students must memorize. This is an activity to get students out of their desks to practice the meaning of new vocabulary words.

Take a set of twenty words or more from your current chapter and write them on the board. Tell your students to take out a piece of paper and to write these words all over the paper in random order. The words should be spread out and written in large print. Each word is to be circled. Instead of short concise lists, you want words all over the place in no discernable order.

Once everyone has written all of the ESL vocabulary words, break the students up into groups of threes. Tell the groups to pick one leader. This person is to present his paper to the other two students in the group. He is now going to pick one of the words in his head and recite the definition out loud, without revealing the actual word. The two competing students will attempt to point to the circled word that fits the meaning they just heard. The leader will decide which student pointed to the correct word first. This person will also keep score. Once a certain student wins ten times he becomes the new leader. He will now present his unique list of words to the other two group members and it starts again.

Allow the leaders to use their notes to ensure that the definitions are correct. Have students point to the words with their fingers or the erasure of their pencils. Walk around the room and make sure each group is following the rules. Students may get loud, but if they are actively thinking about the meanings of these ESL vocabulary words you have accomplished your goal.

This activity can be done as a class if you aren’t able to separate students into groups. Write the words on the board and have two students come up to compete. As the teacher, you will recite the definitions. This will allow you to control the class a little more.

I would follow this exercise with a worksheet or another assignment that can be done quietly. Have fun!