15+ different Vocabulary Methods (How to teach words)

A key to learning any new language is new vocabulary! There are so many ways to

GAMES:

• SNOWBALL FIGHT Get students to have a blast throwing around paper in class and then answering vocabulary questions! http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/12/fight-fight-playful-way-to-have.html
• Get students to improve their vocabulary by really thinking about what word someone is trying to get you to guess with rhymes! http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/11/i-am-thinking-of-word-that-rhymes-with.html
• Make reviewing vocabulary words more fun by throwing hangman into the mix. Like the snowball fight, this game plays on students love for throwing things. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/10/alternate-hangman-hangman-you-knew-and.html
• Using pictures, homophones, antonyms, or definitions you can play Flyswatter. You can also get students to run around, which helps with excess energy. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/09/flyswatter.html
• When you want students to practice vocabulary get them to create ink pinks. By using these rhymes they are using other vocab and showing they really understand the word http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/07/rhyming-word-game.html
• Battleship is what I usually use to repeat grammar. However, it can also be used for vocabulary. Simply make each box a vocabulary word, or arrange the columns and rows by categories. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/06/battleship-game-differentiated-for-efl.html 
•  (NEW Added June 2013) Pumpernickel is another no prep game where students try to guess the verb another student is thinking of by replacing the verb with pumpernickel. For example, "Do you pumpernickel every day?" http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2013/05/pumpernickel-another-word-guessing-games.html 
• (NEW Added June 2013) Feed the baby is awesome for beginning EFL students. Think of it as a specified Simon Says. One student volunteers to be the baby (or the teacher starts). The baby says: "Broccoli" The parents (students) decide if it is edible or not edible. If it is edible they clap twice. If it is inedible they cover their mouth. While obviously great for food this can be adapted for other categories.  http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2013/06/baby-shower-games-in-efl-class.html
• (Added June 2013) Remember making fortune tellers when you were younger? Change it into a game! My EFL students love playing so much they'll forget they are learning. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2013/05/cootie-catcher-speaking-activity.html
• (Added November 2013) Have you ever used Quizlet? You can make word lists and your students can play the automatically generated games to study on their own. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2013/11/quizlet-for-at-home-studying.html
• (Added May 2014) Have you ever played Jenga? I bet you have! You can also use Jenga to review vocabulary words http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2014/05/jenga-in-classroom.html 
• (Added June 2014) This is a GREAT version of Pictionary that required NO DRAWING! Intrigued? Check it out! http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2014/06/artistically-challenged-pictionary.html

ACTIVITIES

• Try using a dictogloss with vocabulary. It gets students to practice listening, reading and writing PLUS they can hear new vocabulary http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/09/5-fun-ways-to-use-dictagloss-in-efl.html
• These are the basic steps one has to take to teach any words (you can combine these with any of the methods here) http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/08/basic-steps-of-teaching-any-lexis.html
• This activity can be a basic way to reinforce vocabulary words..and it usually ends up being really funny! All it takes is a piece of paper and the ability to write and fold. Make sure to set a time limit! http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/06/write-fold-pass-draw-fold-pass-repeat.html
• Have your students use word journals to get different collocations, idioms, etc. in addition to the definition http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2011/03/nelson-arditto.html
• Tell a story! Students respond well to stories, so put one together using different vocabulary words. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2011/03/occupations.html
• Start a blog. Have students send in pictures using their cell phones or e-mails of their vocabulary words http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2010/08/part-ii-day-1.html
• To get a bit more complicated than just telling a story tell a draw and tell story. Then see if students can make their own using vocabulary words  http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/06/tell-and-draw-stories.html 
• Use songs! Students will get them stuck in their heads and never forget.  http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/06/not-another-cloze-how-else-to-use-songs.html
• Use TPR. There's a reason "Simon Says" and "Head Shoulder Knees and Toes" are so popular! Associate a motion with a word and it should stick with your students longer. http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2012/10/this-or-that-these-or-those.html
• (Added June 2013) To review names of items in a house have them make their own house. This is an easy origami craft http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2013/06/house-learning-rooms.html
• (Added October 2013) Decorate your class AND give your students a little help remembering tricky vocabulary words  http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2013/10/vocabulary-mobiles.html
• (Added March 2014) This is a fun activity to help students grow their vocabulary in a visually pleasing way :) http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2014/03/get-students-using-different-words.html 
• (Added February 2015) This activity has students form small groups and make dialogues to show they understand words. They need to listen to other students, guess defintions from context, and finally tell a story! http://eslcarissa.blogspot.mx/2015/02/vocabulary-group-work.html

ALTERNATE QUIZZES

• Instead of multiple choice offer some quizzes that are a bit different than traditional vocabulary quizzes http://eslcarissa.blogspot.com/2012/09/vocab-quizzes.html