Speak Up! Interactive Vocabulary Practice

Purpose:  This activity helps build up confidence with extended speaking, as well as develops speaking fluency and gives learners an opportunity to practice vocabulary.

Preparation Time:  5 minutes

Materials Needed:  Several word lists that can be displayed during the lesson

One-on One Procedure:

1. Show the learner a list of vocabulary words that they are already familiar with (for lower level learners, use 3-4 words; for higher level learners, use 5-6 words). The words can be displayed on a PPT slide, a word document, a text message, or a piece of paper with a camera pointed at it, depending on the remote teaching platform that you are using.
2. Have the learner copy the words down in their notebook.
3. Tell the learner that you are going to speak and use all of the words on the list. As you say the words, cross them off on the list. Prompt the learner to cross the words off as well.
4. Show the learner a new list (if working with a lower level learner, you may use the same list). Quickly go through all of the words to make sure that they understand them.
5. Ask the learner to speak and use all of the words on the list. As they say the words, cross them off. If the learner gets stuck, prompt them by asking questions that will contain the target word in the answer (e.g. Where do you go when you need medicine? I go to the pharmacy).
6. Repeat steps 1-5 two or three times so that both you and the learner get a few chances to speak.

Expansion: Have the learner create a list of words for you, and use that list when it is your turn to speak.

Virtual Class Procedure:

1. Show the learner a list of vocabulary words that they are already familiar with (for lower level learners, use 3-4 words; for higher level learners, use 5-6 words). The words can be displayed on a PPT slide, a word document, a text message, or a piece of paper with a camera pointed at it, depending on the remote teaching platform that you are using.
2. Ask the learners to copy the words down in their notebook.
3. Tell the learners that you are going to speak and use all of the words on the list. As you say the words, cross them off on the list. Prompt the learners to cross the words off as well.
4. Show a new list of words (for lower level learners you may use the same list) and quickly review their meanings. Choose one learner to speak, and prompt the rest of the learners to write the words down in their notebook.
5. When all of the learners are ready, have the selected learner speak using the words on the list. The other learners will cross off the words as they hear them. If the learner gets stuck, prompt them by asking a question that will contain the target word in the answer (e.g. Where do you go when you need medicine? I go to the pharmacy).
6. Repeat steps 4-5 until every learner has had a chance to speak.

Modification 1: For a larger group, display the list of words, then randomly call on learners to say a sentence using each word. Cross the words off as you go through the list.

Modification 2: Display the list of words and ask a question that uses the first word. Call on a learner to answer the question. After they answer the question, the learner will ask a question that uses the second word on the list, then the learner chooses a new learner to answer the question. Repeat until everyone has had the opportunity to ask and answer a question.