Humanistic Teaching

An approach to learning English

Do you use flashcards? Do you know any language teacher that doesn't? I'd be interested to hear about the alternatives, especially if that teacher doesn't use a text book. Recently, I've been sorting through my cards. I have several thousand in assorted sizes. The ones I use most often are A5 size with picture on one size and word or phrase on the other. Lately, my elementary aged groups  have  been playing Across The Table which actually only uses a few cards at a time. It's a curious activity in that it seems to both equally engage and frustrate children.

To play take a dozen flash cards or so, enough so that if they are placed end to end they can stretch from one end of the table to the other. Shuffle the cards, set a timer for two minutes and start it. Show the first card. If the students can name it place it face up at the edge of the table. This will reveal the next card. If that is identified place  it down in front of the first making a kind of bridge down the length of the table.  If there is any hesitation (I usually give  a silent count of no more than 3), name the card yourself,  place a marker where the last card got to and then quickly gather the cards and shuffle them until someone tells you to stop at which point the process starts again from the beginning. The aim is for the group to get the marker clear across the table before the timer goes - well not quite. I usually let the group "play out" the last set after the timer has gone.

I've done this activity both as review and to learn completely new vocabulary items. With new sets it might take a few weeks before the table is traversed. As for the marker anything solid can be used.  This week since we've been doing "ing" activities I've used a "go" symbol card and got the players to include it in their answers.

One thing to think about is whether to get the players take turns individually or chant the answers together. Getting the players to take turns increases individual accountability but depending upon group dynamics can create negative pressure on weaker students. They might get blamed for misses. Playing games which cause rapport to diminish is to be avoided. One method to avoid this is to insist on unison. If one player is faster get the whole group to repeat the word. Insist that  the whole group act together by using the magic word, "Pardon!". Alternatively, get the group to say the word together and then one player to solo it.

I'll conclude by pointing out that this activity is designed for small groups. With large groups it might be possible to duplicate if there is a white/black board available with a ledge to prop up the cards. The players could race from one end of the board to the other and the marker could be stuck to the board or even drawn.

What are your favourite flashcard activities?

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