39 ESL Vocabulary Activities: For Teenagers and Adults - Jackie Bolen, Jennifer Booker Smith 2015
Word-definition match
Games and activities for lower-level students
Skills: Reading
Time: 5-10 minutes
Materials: Cards or worksheet/whiteboard/PowerPoint
Card Version: Print one word or definition per card. You will need one set per student, pair or group. This version is good for pair/small group work and adds a speaking component to the task.
Worksheet/Vhiteboard/PowerPoint Version: Create a word bank of current or review vocabulary and a list of definitions for students to draw a line (worksheet) or matching letters and numbers for whiteboard or PowerPoint.
Procedure (Card Version):
1. In advance, prepare cards with one word or definition per card. Print and laminate enough for each student, pair or group to have a set.
2. If you're having students work in pairs or small groups, divide the class accordingly and distribute a full set of cards to each. If students will be working alone, give each student a set of cards.
3. Have students match the words to their definitions as quickly as possible.
Procedure (Worksheet/Whiteboard/PowerPoint Version):
1. Have students match the words and definitions, by drawing a line (worksheet) or matching letters and numbers and writing their answers in their notebooks.
2. Have students trade papers to check.