Quick Guide
- Keywords: Vocabulary, pronunciation, active, competitive
- Learner English Level: Beginners, intermediate
- Learner Maturity: Elementary, junior high
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Activity time: 15-25 minutes
- Materials: Flashcards, magnets, whiteboard, or blackboard
This relay-race activity is a fun way for students to practice vocabulary and build confidence while adding a competitive element to keep younger learners engaged. It uses oral practice and repetition to support vocabulary retention and build learner confidence. It is easy to set up and can be revisited whenever you present new vocabulary.
Preparation
Step 1: Prepare seven to ten B5 size flashcards with vocabulary words (e.g., animals, fruit, actions, etc.) and matching illustrations on the same side, for example, the verb run with a picture of a running stick figure.
Step 2: Prepare magnets for hanging flashcards on the board.
Procedure
Step 1: Spread the flashcards out face down on a table at the front of the classroom.
Step 2: Ask, “Who wants to choose a card?” and select a volunteer. Encourage the class to say, “Choose one, please!” and tell the volunteer to take a card, but not show it to the rest of the class to build anticipation.
Step 3: Encourage the class to ask, “What’s that?”, then ask the volunteer to reveal the word and illustration on the card. Practice the word on the card twice, then hang it on the board with a magnet.
Step 4: Repeat this process with new volunteers until all the cards are hanging in a horizontal row on the board, spaced so that the row extends the full width of the board.
Step 5: Divide the class into two teams. Position one team in a line at the far left of the board, and the other on the far right of the board. These are the start areas.
Step 6: Explain that, when you say “Go!”, the first player in each line should point to the card closest to them and say what is on it. After saying the word correctly, players proceed to the next card, and so on. Teams can give hints. While the first player takes their turn, the next student in line moves to the start area and awaits their turn.
Step 7: As players proceed from card to card, they move toward the centre of the board, and each other. When they meet, tell them to janken. Tell the loser to go to the back of their team’s line, and the next player on that team to begin from their start area. The winner can stay on and continue moving toward the other end of the board.
Step 8: When a player arrives at the far end of the row, tell them to janken with the player waiting in the opposing team’s start area. If they win, their team gets a point, and the next player begins from their start area. The opposing player also begins their turn, and the game continues.
Step 9: Continue playing until one team gets three points, then have the teams switch sides and repeat so that everyone has equal exposure to the vocabulary.
Variation
Instead of the loser going back to their team’s line, they join the winner’s team. In the end, there will be one big victorious team and no losers.
Conclusion
This is a great minimal prep activity with simple rules that can be done in almost any classroom with almost any flashcards. The game promotes engagement, and as the overall volume in the classroom rises, even the less enthusiastic English learners get into the spirit.
