Vocabulary

Objective & content

A printable memory game on things in the home for beginners (A1-): twelve pairs including chair, table, wardrobe, bookcase, bathtub and toilet. Each pair joins an illustration to the written word and its phonetic transcription; students turn the cards face down, match them and say the word aloud to claim the pair. By the end, they recognise and say the twelve words and can start saying where an item is.

Pedagogical guide

The home is the learner's nearest environment, so the only new thing is the English word. Memory brings each word back without a drill, and saying it aloud makes pronunciation part of the game. The transcription helps with stress: wardrobe and bookcase are stressed on the first syllable. Use the deck after an oral presentation of the theme and before written work; once the words are known, link them to the rooms of the house in a short follow-up.

Suggested procedure

1. (5 min) Lay one set face up. Name each item, students repeat; point out the stress of wardrobe and bookcase.
2. (5 min) Turn the cards face down in a grid and model one turn aloud: "A chair... and a door. No match."
3. (15 min) Groups of three or four play. A pair only counts if the player says the word aloud; partners check the phonetic transcription and may ask for a second try.
4. (5 min) Close as a class: show a picture card, the class names the item and says which room it belongs in (A bathtub. In the bathroom.).

Adaptations

[S] Play with 8 pairs only and keep the word cards face up as a word bank.

[A] The winner says where the item is (The bathtub is in the bathroom.).

Materials & prerequisites

Print the two card sheets once per group of three or four and cut out the 24 cards; laminate them to reuse the deck.