Flashcards are often used when teaching pupils who are new to English. For the purposes of English language learning, these small cards usually feature a picture or a word, or a combination of both. They are useful for checking a pupils understanding of recently taught vocabulary.
A common way of using flashcards is to simply hold one up and ask pupils to state what they see. This is a good place to start, but flashcards are very versatile. There are lots of fun ways to use them. Here are some easy-to-implement ideas for using flashcards with pupils who are in the early stages of learning English.
1.Slow Reveal
Hide a flashcard which contains an image behind your hand. Move the flashcard up slowly, gradually revealing the image. Ask pupils to shout out what the image shows when they have worked out what it is.
2. Fast Drills
If students are at a stage where they seem confident with newly taught vocabulary, hold up flashcards and encourage them to state what is shown as quickly as they can.
3. Memory Game
Spread sets of word and picture flashcards face down on the table and mix them up. Play a matching memory game in which the student picks up two flashcards in a bid to find a word and picture match. If the flashcards do not match, the student puts them both back and continues until they find all matching flash cards.
4. Bingo Game
Play a bingo game. Give the student a set of either word or picture flashcards. The teacher then says the name of an item from the flashcard set or holds up a word or picture flashcard . The student checks to see if they have a matching flashcard. Continue until the student has matched all flashcard items. At this point the student shouts ‘Bingo!’
5. What's Missing?
Spread word or picture flashcards face up on the table. Ask the student to look carefully at the flashcards then close their eyes. At this point, remove one. Ask the student to open their eyes and tell you which one is missing. Once they have guessed, show the missing flashcard and then put it back into place and repeat the activity with a different flashcard.
6. Hot Potato
This is a lively flashcard game suitable for teachers working with a group of new to English learners of similar ability. Play some music and have pupils pass round an item such as a ball or toy. When the music stops, the teacher holds up a flashcard and the person holding the item says the name of it. This game has similarities to pass the parcel, but noone needs to be out! If a child doesn't know what is shown on the flashcard, the teacher should tell them the answer or invite other students to help out before continuing.
7. Bean Bag Toss
This fun game can be done in pairs or as a group. Spread a selection of flashcards on the ground or on a table. Have the pupils stand a little distance away from the flashcards. They should then take turns and try to toss a beanbag onto one of the flashcards. If they miss, their turn is over. If they manage to land their beanbag on a flashcard, they must say what it is. If they guess correctly, they get to keep the flashcard. Continue until all the flashcards have been collected. Whoever has the most wins.
Interested in discovering some fantastic free resources which include flashcards? Check out the blog post below:
Top 5 Free Primary EAL Resources
Want to find out about more ways in which you can support pupils who are new to English? You might like this post:
Simple Ways to Support Primary EAL New Arrivals
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