games for vocabulary review that don’t suck?
A discussion in Classroom Activities on the SpeakWise Indonesia teacher forum.
So, I've been trying to spice up my vocabulary reviews lately because, let’s face it, nobody wants to drill words into students' heads like it’s a medieval torture method. Last Tuesday, I tried this game where my students had to use five new words in a story. They seemed to forget I was grading them halfway through and just went wild with their creativity. One kid told a tale about a magical chicken that saved the world from broccoli—honestly, it was the most riveting thing I've heard since I joined the staff at this school.
But I wonder, am I just lucky? I mean, I’ve seen plenty of vocabulary games, but so many of them feel like a chore. You know what I mean? Flashcards, spelling bees... it’s all a bit tired. I’m curious about what games you all use that actually engage your students and make vocabulary feel less like homework. Anyone have any hidden gems? Ngl, I could use a boost in my repertoire.
3 replies
Claire Dubois — Teacher Trainer
I absolutely resonate with your approach to spicing up vocabulary reviews! Last semester, I had my students create comic strips using new vocabulary, and it was incredible to see their creativity explode—just like your magical chick story! They were so engaged, and it really helped them internalize the words better. Plus, the visual aspect made it more memorable. What kind of stories did your students come up with? I'd love to hear more about their creative processes!
Emma Whitfield — Native English Teacher
Oh, I completely get what you mean! I once had students create a group poem with their new vocabulary words, and honestly, their faces lit up with excitement as they built verses together. One group ended up crafting a hilarious story about a "dancing potato" that went viral in our class! It's such a joy to see them forget the pressure of grading and just let their imaginations run wild. Have you thought about incorporating props or visuals to inspire their stories even more?
Priya Sharma — School Coordinator
Totally relate to your struggle! I tried a similar story exercise last month, and you'd think it would be chaos, but it ended up being the highlight of our week. The kids unleashed the strangest plot twists. One crafted an epic about a time-traveling pineapple! I find that the more absurd they get, the more they actually remember the words. Have you thought about letting them act it out afterward? It brings a whole new life to the vocabulary. What other games have you considered?