Teaching Vocabulary Through Games

🎯 Introduction

Memorizing lists of words can feel dull for ESL students. But with games, vocabulary practice becomes interactive, fun, and effective. Teachers can transform repetition into energy that motivates learners.

🎲 Why Games Work for Vocabulary

• They turn practice into play, reducing anxiety.

• Students repeat words without feeling forced.

• Games encourage teamwork and competition for better focus.

  
  

📚 Practical Game Ideas

1. Word Relay

Students line up and race to write a vocabulary word on the board when it’s called out. Great for energy and recall.

2. Flashcard Grab

Place flashcards on the floor. Call a word — first student to grab it scores a point.

3. Pictionary or Charades

Students draw or act out vocabulary while teammates guess. Perfect for verbs, emotions, or adjectives.

4. Memory Match

Use cards with words and pictures. Students flip two at a time to find matches.

💡 Pro Tip

Always review the vocabulary after the game. Reinforcement ensures students don’t just play but also retain the new words.

📌 Final Thought

Games make vocabulary stick. With GoTEFL, you’ll learn tested game-based strategies, while TEIK gives you real classrooms to try them in and keep students excited about learning English.