On August 3, I presented a webinar on using games as a powerful tool in teaching vocabulary. In this webinar, we explored practical and creative strategies for teaching vocabulary to young learners, specifically those between the ages of seven and eight, to make the process more fun and memorable. Finding ways to make vocabulary teaching engaging and effective can be quite challenging for educators. This webinar was designed to address these challenges and assist educators in overcoming them by providing a range of techniques, practical tools, and digital resources to enhance their teaching methods.
The webinar discussed the theoretical background and the importance of keeping young learners active and engaged. It highlighted the need to avoid sedentary learning as it forces learners to ‘zone out’ and remain passive in the process of learning. Play and movement should not be considered as a break from learning. Adding movement and play to our lessons does not mean we have to set learning aside. On the contrary, they are a fundamental aspect of teaching since they
enhance learners’ interest and attention. Movement is the key to an enjoyable learning experience while games not only motivate students but also improve their retention of new words. They provide a meaningful context for language use and interaction.
We also delved into neuroscience and explored how our teaching practices affect how our students behave. Traditional practices of vocabulary teaching (in the form of endless bilingual lists, memorization, or rote learning) create barriers to learning and can lead to disengagement and therefore unsettled behaviour. When students are not engaged, they get bored and choose to opt-out, which means that not only will they cease listening but also that it is quite likely to start misbehaving out of boredom.
In the second part of the webinar, some lively and multisensory activities and techniques were introduced. Young learners have a strong need for multisensory input and that is why they benefit greatly from activities that engage multiple senses, such as TPR games (i.e. games that associate words with physical actions). The games presented in the webinar were mainly flashcard games that combine visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements. This way educators manage to cater to the diverse learning styles and needs of their students. The flashcard games presented focused on alternatives to choral repetition to introduce and practise new vocabulary. The games focused not only on listening and speaking but also on practising spelling. Some extra games were also shared which aimed to combine vocabulary with grammar and help students practise new vocabulary in context.
The webinar also introduced digital tools and resources to enhance vocabulary teaching. These digital tools were: Kahoot, Quizlet, Quizzziz and Worldwall.
- Kahoot: A game-based learning platform where teachers can create quizzes and games that make vocabulary practice fun and competitive.
- Quizlet: A tool for creating flashcards and study sets that students can use to review and test their vocabulary knowledge (in class or at home)
- Quizizz: Similar to Kahoot, this platform allows teachers to create and share quizzes that can be played on the interactive board or using devices (eg. mobile phones or tablets)
- Wordwall: A tool that lets teachers create interactive games and activities to practise vocabulary, such as matching exercises, spinning wheels, etc.
These tools can provide opportunities for additional vocabulary practice and also provide instant feedback to learners. They offer interactive and engaging ways for children to practise and reinforce vocabulary either in the classroom or at home.
This webinar was aimed at educators who seek creative and engaging ways to spice up their teaching methods. Whether you are a new teacher looking for teaching practices or digital resources to enhance your teaching, or an experienced educator seeking new ideas and inspiration, this webinar provided practical tools to support your teaching and create dynamic lessons. By the end of the webinar, participants had a toolkit of activities and techniques that they could use to support their vocabulary teaching and create engaging vocabulary lessons.
In conclusion, using games as a powerful tool to assist your teaching methods can transform your vocabulary lessons as well as an enjoyable experience for your young learners. By incorporating movement, play, and games into their lessons, educators can create a dynamic learning environment where every single student participates. This webinar provided techniques and tools to inspire and assist you.
IATEFL members can watch the original webinar again by logging into their account and going to this link
About Angeliki Daviti
Angeliki Daviti holds a BA in English Language and Literature and an MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, both from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. With over 15 years of experience as an EFL teacher, she has been a school owner since 2014. Her school received two silver awards for Creativity and Excellence in Language Teaching at the 2021 ELT Excellence Awards in Greece. In 2022, she was honored with the ELT Excellence Award for Excellence in School Facilities and presented her award-winning teaching approach at the Foreign Languages Forum and Book Exhibition, Thessaloniki, Greece. In 2023, Angeliki began contributing articles to Project Parenting (https://www.projectparenting.gr/), aiming to share her expertise and insights to help parents make informed decisions about the best educational systems for their children. In May 2024, she participated as a speaker at the ELTA Conference in Serbia, where she conducted a workshop on vocabulary teaching to young learners.
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