Purpose: to improve familiarity with and speed using the vocabulary

Info: This is a simple drill that allows students to become familiar with the new words. With increased familiarity, students will be able to use the words more quickly. The activity may also be used with a specific grammar point.

Step One: Students get into pairs. The teacher distributes a deck of flashcards with the picture face down to student A. There should be at least ten cards in each deck.

Step Two: Student A draws a card and shows the picture/word to his partner. Student B must say the word. The pair of students continues through the deck as quickly as possible.

Step Three: If each pair of students has different flashcards in their deck, then students should switch cards with another, nearby pair. If the cards are the same, then this step isn't necessary.

Step Four: Student B shuffles the deck of cards and repeats the activity. Student A now identifies the vocabulary as quickly as possible. Students may repeat as many times as the teacher deems necessary.

Variation: Students must say the word in a complete sentence. This provides a better understanding of the usage for each vocabulary word. In addition, because there are so many sentences shared by the pairs, students have more examples to draw on when using the material later in the lesson.