An ESL game (Phonics Level or just after Alphabet)
After Kindergarten and Introductory Phonetics, small children are often put into a Beginners English class using books like Let's Go 1. Often they are not ready for Lets Go 1, but need to....
1. practice use of phonics through games
2. practice alphabet letter writing and
3. build up a basic vocabulary of small words.
I like to use my Small Words Game. The Small Words Game gets them excited about English. It motivates the kids as they already know a large number of small words from regular school and the mass media.
I often divide the class into two teams (they like competition) or each child keeps his/her score on the board beside their name.
You will find in the table below some of the small words they write in columns across the board for all to see. The children come up with them not the teacher. Teacher may have to start the game by giving some examples.
Note that there are only two English words with a single letter: a and I.
Get the idea? Children like this very much. They are not intimidated by small words (easy to spell) and I accept abbreviations like CD, BBQ, TV, Ok, SOS, TNT, UN, USA, and UK. In Korea I also accept short English names of pop-music groups as the kids know these from television: SES, HOT, UN, NRG etc. and TV stations like MBC, KBS.
This game can cover two or three classes and it is good to post a large table/graphics of short word on the class wall in big writing for all to see and use in the following weeks. Kids can make the enlarged words with markers and paper as a crafts project and post them on the huge wall-mounted table. This is preferable to the teacher doing it. Avoid using too many shapes and colors when making the words/letters as Montessori has shown this confuses children.
Once we have done the Small Words Game I like to get kids using these words in the Spelling Circle Game http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/lessons/index.pl?read=854. Spelling Circle Game is a strong way to reinforce the new vocabulary as words are reused/relearned/approached in a different way. Children will play the Spelling Circle Game for an hour and will do it in class, if there is space, or out doors. They especially like it as it is kinesthetic and interactive. Students and teacher can also make a set of small words flash cards, another way to build them into memory.
*Q as in Q. and A. LX: Extra Large
-------------------------------------
Bigger Bigger Smaller Smaller Game - ESL lesson
An ESL game (10+ years, builds vocabulary).
Also included: Taste Game, Materials Game, Hotter Colder Game
With students in a circle around a big table or sitting on the floor, point to something small and ask the first student to name it (in English). If they don't understand, then teacher gives an example like a pencil or eraser and asks the student "Something bigger?" or goes to the next student. Children (not the teacher) ask the same question in sequence in the circle. Say "something bigger" (det-der-ro = something, big = kun-ga in Korean) while acting out big and small with your hands and arms. Kids will probably say "sky" or "sun". "Universe" is the upper size limit but older children will also understand imagination (sang-sang).
Then we go smaller "something smaller" (small is cha-gum in Korean) and they begin to exchange hints in Korean and English and thus teach each other smaller and smaller words in English. They often say "ant" and then "baby ant" or "ant egg". With even smaller objects kids need teacher's help so I scrape my tooth with a fingernail (yucky) to show that everybody has bacteria and some kids will later say "baby bacteria" jokingly. Beyond this you have to remind them of virus (gyun in Korean). They already know about big computer viruses. And finally sketch an atom, electron etc. etc and talk about electric machines, which includes their own bodies!
This is a great way to build vocabulary while introducing the phrases:
(Tell me, teach me, give me) something bigger.
(Tell me, teach me, give me) something smaller.
A variation is to make it a Hotter and Colder Game.
Another is to make it a Materials Game and ask for something plastic, metal, wood, stone, cement, copper, iron, water, gas, leather, cloth, glass, meat, etc.
Another variation is make it a Taste Game with real/authentic/concrete examples/foods: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, hot, spice, creamy, oily, fishy, spicy, fruity, meaty, bland etc. and then ask for examples of various foods. This can be slow going unless the kids are 12 years or more. I find it needs to be repeated several times. You will have to bring foods in small plastic containers and tooth picks for tasting. Coordinate this class with other teachers so you can all share the food preparation effort/time.
About The Author
Robin Tim Day is an English teacher with experince in Asia and the Middle East. Robin publishes articles and lessons at the http://www.eslteachersboard.com/ (free access to ESL resumes, jobs and materials). See more articles and lessons by Robin by visiting: http://www.eslteachersboard.com/
Please add the above to copy this article.
Is Incorporating Your Small Business Best For You?
There comes a point in time when every small business person contemplates on whether to incorporate their business or not. A lot of times small businesses start out sole proprietorships, and then become incorporated as the business expands and develops. Small business incorporating can be a difficult decision, and with this article youll gain a little bit of knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages.
1 Simple Secret For Small Busines Owners
This article is from your MYB Consultancy for small business owners, in fact any business owner
Moose Motorcycle Gear: The Best Motorcycle Accessories For Riders
The collection of motorcycle accessories manufactured by Moose is truly revolutionary The company has always been known for their sense of style, high quality of products and long shelf life of all their motocross accessories
Small Business Owners: Listen to Harry Nilsson and Keep Your Business Alive
One is the loneliest number that you?ll ever do, Harry Nilsson wrote and he was right If you?re in business, especially if you?re a small business, one of anything is a sign of trouble
IAB President Randall Rothenberg to Testify at House Small Business Committee Hearing : Will Outline How Interactive Advertising Fuels Small Busines
Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), will testify as an expert witness today about the critical role that Internet advertising plays for small businesses in the U.S. economy during the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee Subcommittee on Regulations, Healthcare and Trade hearing.
Enhancing Music with Apple iPod Accessories
Having dropped in price over the past few years, the already great value of the Apple iPod has dramatically increased with expanded music capacity, enhanced video capabilities, and other improvements. This is all included in newer versions of the iPod, but many people don't realize that they can buy many different accessories for their Apple iPod. Some examples include car chargers, speaker systems, and protective cases, and those and more will be explained in greater detail below.
What to Look for in Golfing Shoes
Aren't you glad you're picking golfing shoes in this century? Your golfing shoes don't need to be boring anymore. In fact, they even come in three major styles, each with dozens of style variations. Furthermore, technology is no longer confined to those fancy basketball sneakers - golfing shoes have also harnessed these new features and taken them to create the kind that don't only provide comfort but can even mean a difference in your golf swing.
iRepel.com Launches Website Offering Online Access to Mosquito Repellent Products for the Small to Medium Size Market
Website offers online access to mosquito repellents and related products for the small to medium sized market. Open to businesses, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.
Getting a Small Business Loan
Are you in need of financial resources in order to start or even maintain your small business? Most of us are. The first step is to take a look at the vast number of commercial loan sources that offer help in this area such as Chase, Citibank, etc. Also, with the Small Business Administration (SBA), you should be able to arrange a connection with one of these banks. This is one of many organizations that specialize in loans to small businesses.
Ford Verve Concept Hints at Ford's Future Small-Car Design Vision
Ford Verve Concept - a bold and colourful concept car to be revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show - gives the first hints of Ford's future small-car design vision.