• During these demonstrations, say the word and show the object in action, say the word and have tutors repeat it, write it on the flip chart while saying it, and have tutors write it down. Ask a tutor to use the word in a sentence.
    • State that using real objects helps teach basic vocabulary very well.
    • Depending on the abilities of the learners, you might also give them the written word and have them spell it and use it in their writing.
    • Also suggest adapting the letter scramble game, if you used it during the Spelling Unit (Section , Activity A) to work on vocabulary memory.
  2. Demonstrate using games.
    • Pull out a pack of cards (if you have one with pictures) and start playing “Go Fish” or “Old Maid” with someone.
    • Use the strips of paper on which you wrote the names of different sports to play charades. Give a tutor a choice of the strips of paper. Don’t let anyone else see the one the tutor picks. Have the tutor act out the sport without any sounds. Ask tutors “What is she doing?” Add sounds if they are having trouble figuring it out. Encourage tutors to use games to practise and learn new vocabulary. More advanced ESL learners may be able to play some word games that native English speakers play, like “50 Questions.”
    • Using games offers the tutor the chance to learn about games from the learner’s culture or childhood. The learner could teach the tutor a game, opening up new dialogue with the learner as the teacher.
  3. Demonstrate using themes.
    • Talk about how themes help with learning new vocabulary because the learner can connect the words and phrases with something meaningful.
    • Give an example like temperature. Draw a thermometer on the flip chart. Put in some temperatures like -30, -10, 0, 10, 20 and 30 and ask what word describes each temperature (e.g., freezing, cold, sweltering). Ask what the temperature is like today. Then say that this could lead into listening to a weather forecast, adding more weather words to the learner’s vocabulary. It could open a conversation about what it is like to live in this climate.
    • Follow up with video clip Building Vocabulary Using a Theme. Ask what vocabulary and vocabulary-related activities tutors might add to the theme in the clip.
  4. Demonstrate two-word verbs.
    • For example: Take an item from in front of one of the tutors. Say “Take away.” Then put it back and say “Put back.” Tell tutors that some phrasal (two or more words) verbs are easy to demonstrate, while others are best shown in context, such as in a story.
  5. Demonstrate showing the meaning of an idiom (an expression whose meaning is not literal such as “dead as a doornail”). Pick one of your favourites. Show what it means by making up a short story that includes the idiom.