EFL Vocabulary Project | Word-Jitsu

If you're looking for a small project for your students to create something positive, here is a game that was inspired by a video called What You Believe Becomes Reality on The Future YouTube Channel. (Click the and watch the video with your students if they need more examples.)

​This would be especially helpful and useful for TEENS.  You will love what they create!

Lesson Plan

LESSON:Look at Words Differently
OBJECTIVES:a. Grow A Deeper Range of Vocab b. Turn Negativity into Positivity
LEVEL: Blue Belt+ (Lower Intermediate and higher)
TIME:30-40 minutes

Warmer: Negative Vocabulary

·      In groups or take turns writing on the board, students write as many negative words as they can write in a set time (2 minutes).

Project: Create A Poster

ESL Vocabulary Game: Word-Jitsu

·      In groups (or individual), choose 8 negative words to convert into a positive meaning.
·      Choose one to make a poster.
·      Students make their poster.
·      Students present and hang on the wall.
·      Class Vote
·      Top group wins ¼ of a day’s wage.

Pro Tips:

·       Give some examples for the WARMER. (ex. impossible, no, pain, etc.)
·      Walk around to help the students during their creative work
·      Make a “finish date” for the project (give around 1 or 2 classes)
 
Good luck! Let me know how it works for you and if you have any special touches that I can try in my classes:

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Student Worksheet

Name:___________________________             Class: __________________________
 
Word-Jitsu Project
 
 
PART I: Negative Words
 
Brainstorm as many negative words as you can in 2 minutes.
 
 

PART II: Convert
 
Turn these negative words into positive words or meanings. Look at the examples for ideas.
 
Impossible -> I’m possible
No -> Next Opportunity
 
Make Your Own:

1. Fail -
2. Can’t -
3. Fear -
4. Pain - 
5. Ugly –
6.  
7.  

More words:
 
1. Luck
2. 
3. 
 
 
PART III: Brainstorm 
 
Write Ideas you and your group come up with.
 
 
 
 

 
PART IV: Rough Draft
 
Test and practice the best ideas for your poster. 




CRITERIA:Quality Check
 
Language     ____/10 - Is the message inverted well?    
Creativity     ____/10 - Are the words and the style appropriate for the message?     
Presentation____/10- Is my project visually pleasing to the eye?
Total ____/30

 
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