Vocab Match Game

This idea allows for 100% immersion of terms (no English needed), and allows students to cycle through large blocks of vocabulary, creating links to meaning while relying on target language.
This is a visual game, thus it is not easy to explain (but I'll try!). Once you "get it" the game is super easy to do and easy to teach the kids!

Take the list of vocab and/or expressions in your unit and see if you can create associated pairs. A "match" (or pair) may be established as : synonyms, antonyms, associated terms, the beginning and end of an expression, the question and best response, or all of the above. Don't worry about the handful of terms that don't make their way into the game (set them aside).

For example: encender - apagar; el quirofano - la sala de operaciones; ¿Dónde está el bolígrafo? - Lo tengo aquí, temprano - tarde

Once you have sorted out the vocabulary list into two columns, they are to be posted on a grid on the board (or overhead projector or data projection from laptop) as follows:

*How to set up the template (I will pretend we are using the white board).
Draw long lines across the board upon which to write your terms. If you have 30 terms, you'll need 15 long lines. Draw a line down the center of the white board splicing your long lines into two columns. In other words if you had white lined paper, you are dividing the paper into two columns. I often have two of these "divided pages" set up, as I often have enough terms to create two games, side by side.

*How to place the terms on the lines.
Now start on a random line (let's say the sixth line down) on the left side. Enter the vocab term "encender". On the right hand side directly next to it, place an asterix so we know where to place our last term. Now go to a random spot on the right hand side and place the matching term "apagar". This is one match, a term on the left, a term on the right. Slide to the immediately left of the term "apagar" and start again. Place the word "una inundación" on the left (next to "apagar"). Now go to a random spot on the right and place it's match "un incendio". You know have two complete matches. You must slide to the immediate left of "un incendio" to begin your third match. Continue this pattern of word/term placement until you run out of lines, placing the LAST MATCHING TERM where you had placed the asterix (now erase the asterix).

*How to explain the games to students.
Play match with them once. As though you are partner A and the class is partner B.
I'm going to pick a term on the left hand side of this grid. Can you find the associated term on the right?
Nice match. Now it's your turn. Slide the immediate left and announce the term. Okay, now I'm going to match your term (I find it on the right). Now I'll slide to the immediate left to announce the next match. This cycles through until you arrive back to the first term. Going through the game once with the class also helps to establish the matches that you intended (not necessarily always obvious).
Next round, the students pair up and play match game. To ensure that each student had a chance to pronounce every word on the board, when they cycle through once, have partners switch roles and do it again.

This game may become a race. Two teams stand up to compete, seeing who can cycle through the fasted (have time keepers for each group).

Eventually the students know the vocab so well, that one partner turns around, and the other partner simply starts reading down the left or right hand column to see if their partner knows the match. Mix it up as much as possible. Remember, you do not need to start in the same spot or on the same side. The game eventually cycles through all of the terms (so long as you place the last term next to the first term, thus the asterix reserves the space for this purpose).

In the end, the teacher or a student may call out terms while all others are turned away from the board, to test everyone's final memorization.

Most students appreciate this game, as it is fun, creative, and the vocab sticks via immersion.

Plan B? I can show you how to master this within 5 minutes.

Gracias,
Bruce