When you teach vocabulary in ESL lessons, it can feel like your students are learning the words… but not keeping them. How do you go beyond simple word lists and make new vocabulary stick? Whether you’re working with one-on-one students or teaching small groups online, there are simple, effective strategies you can use to boost vocabulary retention and turn passive knowledge into confident use.
In this blog post, we’ll explore tried-and-tested ways to teach vocabulary in ESL classes, show you how to introduce and review new words, and give you practical activities that can be used across levels and age groups.
Why Vocabulary Matters in ESL
Vocabulary is the foundation of communication. Without words, students can’t express their ideas, understand others, or feel confident participating in class discussions. Building a strong vocabulary bank is key to success in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. That’s why how we teach vocabulary in ESL classrooms really matters.
The 3-Step Process to Teach Vocabulary in ESL
- Introduce Words in Context
- Start with a short story, image, or situation that uses the vocabulary naturally. Avoid just giving a list—make the words meaningful.
- For example, instead of saying “Today we’ll learn the word hungry,” show a picture of someone holding their stomach and say, “He is very hungry! What do you think he wants?”
- Practice Through Interaction
- After introducing the words, give your students a chance to use them right away in speaking or simple writing tasks.
- Use sentence frames, matching games, roleplays, and short discussions to help students internalize the meaning.
- Review, Review, Review!
- Don’t stop after the first day. Recycle the vocabulary throughout the week with games, mini-conversations, and review slides.
- Use apps like Quizlet or tools like Quizizz to reinforce meaning through visual and interactive formats.
Easy Ways to Make Vocabulary Stick
1. Use Visuals + Realia
- Images and real objects make abstract words more concrete. Flashcards are great, but showing a real apple or bottle of water goes further!
2. Get Students Talking
- Turn vocabulary into a speaking activity. Ask, “When do you feel hungry?” or “Tell me about your favorite snack.” This gets students using the word personally.
3. Incorporate Movement
- Total Physical Response (TPR) is powerful for young learners. Associate motions with words—pretend to shiver for cold, yawn for tired.
4. Make It Personal
- Invite students to connect vocabulary to their own lives. “Who in your family is very kind?” Personal connections deepen memory.
5. Create Vocabulary Journals
- Students write the word, draw a picture, use it in a sentence, and write the translation. This is perfect for homework or class warm-ups.
Quick Vocabulary Activities by Age Group
| Age Group | Vocabulary Activities |
|---|---|
| Young Learners (Ages 4–7) | – Vocabulary songs and chants – Matching cards or memory games – Drawing and labeling pictures – Mini puppet shows using new words |
| Primary Students (Ages 8–11) | – “Guess the Word” games – Vocabulary bingo or I-spy games – Sentence scramble activities – Vocabulary scavenger hunts |
| Teens and Older Learners (Ages 12+) | – 5-minute debates using target words – Roleplays or “real-life” situations – Vocabulary mind maps – Peer teaching: explain the word to a partner |
Digital Tools to Teach Vocabulary in ESL
- Quizlet: Digital flashcards with games and testing options
- Wordwall: Create interactive games like match-ups or anagrams
- Edpuzzle: Turn videos into vocabulary quizzes. Check out this blog post for more information on how I use Edpuzzle in my classroom.
- Canva for Students: Let learners create digital flashcards or posters
Story from the Classroom
A teacher in our community shared how she transformed her vocabulary lessons using a student’s favorite toy. Her 6-year-old student loved dinosaurs, so they labeled parts of a toy dinosaur together (tail, teeth, claws), created a “dinosaur adventure” story using target words like loud, fast, scary, and then acted it out together. The next week? The student remembered every word—and asked for more!
Conclusion
When you teach vocabulary in ESL, the goal isn’t just to recognize the words—it’s to help students use them with confidence. Through meaningful context, interactive practice, and consistent review, you can make vocabulary lessons exciting, relevant, and memorable.
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