ACT IV ATI NG

VOCA BU LA RY
THROUGH PICTURES

Mark Fletcher

FOR ESOL LEARNERS

Brain Friendly Publications

Activating Vocabulary

Introduction
Activating Vocabulary - ESOL

is designed for teachers with limited preparation

time who want to provide lively, motivating language skills lessons to introduce, test or revise.

Activating Vocabulary - ESOL

by Mark Fletcher
Illustrated by Mark Fletcher
Copyright Brain Friendly Publications
Telephone/Fax: (44) 1303 238880
E-Mail: brainfriendlypubs@dial.pipex.com
Website: www.brainfriendly.co.uk
ISBN 0-9546664-2-9
PRINTED BY HYTHE PRINTERS LTD., HYTHE , KENT

Brain - friendly is a registrered trade mark.

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Teaching notes
Houses & Flats / Living Room
Traffic & Things in the street
Clothes
Kitchen / Bedroom
Shopping
Parts of the body
Actions!
Shops, Clothes & Things in the street
Things to eat & drink. Different Ages
Money, Animals, Fruit
House, Traffic, & Things on the table
Outdoor Clothes, Bathroom & Medical Help
Babies, Furniture & Things in the handbag
Public Buildings, Emotions & Things in the sky
Weather, Trains & the Head
Parts of the Body. In the park, & In the kitchen
Communications, Shopping, & Air travel
Cooking, Post Office. In your spare time
Vegetables, Schools, Things in the kitchen
Religion, Sport, and Things in my pocket

Conditions of sale permit the photocopying of these masters for student use.
It is not permitted to subsequently use photocopies to generate further copies.

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Teaching Notes
The activities are simple to use and self explanatory but a
few tips may be useful.
Type A
Type A

Start with a discussion to set the context.

See how many words the students already know.
Read through the words carefully for pronunciation
practice.
Play a 'Can you tell me number 4 please?' Game
around the group.(The 'please' is important !)
Type B

Type B

Encourage learners to use three different colours to

underline /colour code the words into categories.
(This has much more impact than just underlining
them in biro!)
Students write the words in the Category 'shapes'.
Each student chooses 3 words (secretly) and puts
them into sentences (or a little story). The other
students listen hard to identify the 'special' words.
Brainstorm some more words for each category.

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary
2

A
1

Houses
and
Flats

14

10

12
11
13

Living Room
15

24

20
19
18

16

23
21

17
22

25

The words you want:

door ... tv ... stairs ... wall ... armchair ... garden ... roof ...
upstairs ... fireplace ... picture ... chimney ... block of flats ...
cellar ... clock ... fence ... mirror ...
path ... gate ... window ...downstairs ... lamp ... rug ... attic
...sofa ... bookshelf ...
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

1
3
5
4

2
6

9
8

Traffic - and Things in the

10

12
13

11

14

20

19

18

17

15

16

The words you want:

fire-engine ... phone box ... bus ... bicycle ... van ... zebra
crossing ... post box ... motorbike ... coach ... litter bin ... road
sign ... ambulance ... office block ... speed limit ... pavement ...
road ... car ... lorry ... row of shops ... traffic lights ...
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

Clothes

10

7
1

12
6

13

3
9

14

11
16

15

21

17

24
22
20

19
18

25

23

27

28

26

29
The words you want:

jeans ... sandal ... boots ... necklace ... gloves ... pullover
... skirt ... T-shirt ... sari ... ring ... pyjamas ... shirt ...
glasses ... coat ... socks ... umbrella ... bangle ... shoes ...
tie ... headscarf ... trousers ... shorts ... underwear ...
jacket ... trainers ... handbag ... earrings ... sunglasses ...
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

In the
kitchen

1
3

6
7
5

9
10

8
4
11

19

In the
Bedroom

12

18

17

13

14
20
16

15

The words you want:

pillow ... cupboard ... curtains ... plate rack ... oven ... sink
... microwave ... hangers ... teatowel ... fridge ... wardrobe ...
saucepan ... duvet / blanket ... matress ... tap ... sheet ... bed
...draining board ... gas ring / hob ... chest of drawers ...
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

Shopping

5
4

2
3
8

CHE

24

14
9

10

11

12

13

16
15

17

18

19

20

21

23
22

Do you like shopping?

The words you want:

receipt ... Bakers ... basket ... tin ... money ... counter till ...
Greengrocer ... label ... assistant ... shelf ... Newsagent ... purse
... tub ... checkout ... price ... Clothes shop ... trolley ...
Hardware shop(DIY) ... bottle ... Butchers ... shopping bag ...
packet ... Shoeshop ...
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

A
1

2
6
4
5

22

23

10

Parts of the Body

15

11
12

14

17
13
16
20

18
21
19

The words you want:

mouth ... hand ... knee ... beard ... elbow ... toes ... nose ...
hair ... shoulders ... eyebrows ... foot ... neck ... fingers ...
eyes ... head ... arm ... moustache ... ear ... leg ... bust ...
chest ... stomach ... bottom ...

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Activating Vocabulary

Actions!

A
1

2
6

9
10
11
12
13
15

16

14

20
17
18

19

21
22
The words you want:

ship

iner
cod
snorkel
contathe train ... cutting the grass ...
writing a letter ... getting off
sleeping ... driving ... climbing a ladder ... having a shower ...
shopping ... watching TV ... crying ... hoovering ... making a phone
call ... getting on the train ... playing football ... chatting / talking
... having a cup of tea ... using a computer ... cooking ... singing
... shouting ... cleaning windows ... listening to a cassette ...

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

8
B

Activating Vocabulary
WORD CHECK FOR:
SHOPS, CLOTHES, AND THINGS
Bakers

IN THE STREET

socks

phone box

Supermarket

trousers

pavement
traffic lights

vest

Newsagent
Butchers
skirt
Zebra crossing
headscarf

shoes
Greengrocers
post box

shirt
Jewellers

railings

veil

litter bin

Department store

road signs

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Off licence

91

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR:

THINGS TO DRINK, THINGS

TO

EAT, AND DIFFERENT AGES

cake

adult

grown up
tea

biscuits
pasta

toddler

wine
juice

fruit
young people
baby

eggs
teenager

milk
senior citizen
meat
squash

rice

coffee

water

beer

child
fish

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

1
10
B

Activating Vocabulary
WORD CHECK FOR: MONEY, ANIMALS, FRUIT
cash machine

pear

bank
apple
dog
cow
guava
giraffe

banana
Giro

horse
fox
credit card

melon
change
coins
mango

donkey

notes

purse
rabbit

cat

cheque
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

lemon

111

Activating Vocabulary
WORD CHECK FOR:
THE HOUSE, TRAFFIC, AND

THINGS ON THE

TABLE

roof
cup

wall

lorry

bicycle

plate

chimney

ambulance

motorbike

van
knife
spoon

shed
garden

window

jug
door
kettle
car

upstairs

fork
bus

teapot
Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

taxi

1
12

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR:

OUTDOOR CLOTHES, IN THE BATHROOM, MEDICAL HELP

nurse

bath
toothpaste

plaster
hat

scarf

thermometer

prescription
shower
pharmacy

basin
pullover
toilet

pills
gloves
doctor

shoes

boots
towel
tap

health visitor

coat

flannel
anorak

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

131

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR:

BABIES, FURNITURE, AND THINGS

IN THE HANDBAG.

armchair

bookshelf
hairbrush

highchair

cupboard
sofa
buggy
nappy

credit cards
keys

tissues

purse

carpet

bib
changing mat
dummy
scissors
pram

wardrobe

table

toys

lamp
comb

mirror

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

14
B

Activating Vocabulary
WORD CHECK FOR:
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, EMOTIONS, AND

THINGS IN THE

SKY

angry

Library

moon
tired

bird

School
Hospital

nervous

excited

Sports Centre
star

happy
rainbow
Job Centre
sad

Station
relaxed
plane

cloud
Civic Centre

Town Hall
sun
worried
helicopter

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

151

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR: WEATHER, TRAINS, AND

THE

HEAD

ears

rainy
station

sunny
platform

mouth
neck

chin

carriage
windy
guard

eyes
foggy
ticket
teeth
nose
cold
fine

track
hair

timetable

single
stormy
snowy

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

1
16

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR:

PARTS OF THE BODY. IN

THE

PARK, IN

THE

KITCHEN

tree

hands

microwave

cooker
saucepan

head
garden

grass
fridge

fingers

dishwasher
flowers

legs
feet
washing machine
arms
pond
swings
chest
jogger

cupboard
path

shoulder
sink

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

171

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR:

COMMUNICATIONS, SHOPPING, AND AIR TRAVEL

Customs
announcement
envelope

email
mobile

can
take-off
stamp

basket

fax
check-in

delay

Arrivals Hall
tin
passengers
trolley

bottle
shelf

letter

phone-calll

message

bargain

flight
sale

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

1
18
B

Activating Vocabulary
WORD CHECK FOR:
COOKING, AT THE POST OFFICE, AND

IN YOUR

SPARE TIME
counter

pepper
hobby

Community Centre

visiting friends

cinema
forms
spices
Road Tax
Fitness Centre
Benefit book

stamps

salt

recipe
parcel

sewing

studying
curry powder

Swimming pool
vegetables

queue

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

Assistant

ingredients

noodles

191

Activating Vocabulary

WORD CHECK FOR:

VEGETABLES, SCHOOL, AND
lessons

THINGS TO USE IN THE

peas

KITCHEN

mushrooms

bowl

saucepan

students

PTA

kettle

cabbage

sieve
homework
classroom
beans

chopping board
onions
carrots

aubergine
pupils
teacher
mixer

grater
frying pan

potatoes
playground

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

1
20
B

Activating Vocabulary
WORD CHECK FOR:
RELIGION, SPORT, AND THINGS

POCKET

IN MY
comb

teams
Priest

Church
Mosque
shopping list

to score
to lose
worship

biro

a draw

Champions
sweets
competition

A Holy Day

Temple

to pray

to win

handkerchief

a Service
supporters
Address Book
Keys
cash

Brain friendly Publications - www.brainfriendly.co.uk

AC T IV ATI NG VOCA BU LA RY
FOR ESOL LEARNERS

20 topic-based units.

Elementary level.

Designed for NATECLA

(National Association for Teaching English and other Community Languages to Adults)

Photocopiable
BRAIN Friendly MATERIALS include:
Teacher Development:

Student Books:

Teaching for Success

ISBN 1 898295 62 X
The Brain-friendly revolution in practice!
A key book for teachers.

ACE Advanced Checking of English ISBN 1 898295 23 9

Tennis against the English Language.
LIPS Limericks Idioms Proverbs Sayings

Photocopiable Teacher Resources:

ISBN 1 898295 22 0

Colourful expressions illustrated to aid memory.

Picture Stories, Please ! *

ISBN 1 898295 46 8
Illustrated news stories with activities

ISBN 1 898295 00 X
Making Polite Noises *
Highly successful for social English.

Teacher Development Resource Book

Shakespeares Bequest
ISBN 1 898295 60 3
A tapestry of Elizabethan homes and gardens

ISBN 1 898295 59 X

Ideal for training and team building.

Red Herrings
ISBN 1 898295 49 2
Puzzle pages for teaching Idioms.
Pictures of English Tenses
Highly popular teaching/testing tenses through
pictures.
ISBN 1 898295 48 4
Level 1 (Elementary)
Level 2 (Lower Intermediate)
ISBN 1 898295 52 2
Level 3 (Upper Intermediate)
ISBN 1 898295 53 0
Conversation 1 (Intermediate) *
ISBN 1 898295 38 7
Activities to maximise student talk.
Conversation 2 (Intermediate +) * ISBN 1 898295 39 5
Higher level activities to maximise student talk.
Who are you?
ISBN 1 898295 35 2
Questionnaires to generate discussion.
ISBN 1 898295 02 6
Active 8
Eight best games for communication practice.

Ask for a brochure of all materials from

your normal stockist or direct from
Brain Friendly Publications

Short accelerated English Courses: approx 20 hours

Brainwaves *
ISBN 1 898295 10 7
Elementary to Intermediate.
ISBN 1 898295 05 0
Design for Europe *
Elementary to Intermediate. Business.
Relatively Speaking *
ISBN 1 898295 06 9
Advanced. Story of world culture.
Flexible Friends Learning Cards:
Young Learners *
Level 1 (Beginner) *
Level 2 (Elementary+)
Level 3 (Intermediate+)
For Business *

ISBN 1 898295 34 4
ISBN 1 898295 11 5
ISBN 1 898295 04 2
ISBN 1 898295 09 3
ISBN 1 898295 45 X

Phonetic Alphabet Cards *

ISBN 1 898295 03 4
plus Chart
The quick, visual way to accurate pronunciation.
Books marked * have cassette available

Brain Friendly Publications

Pennypot Industrial Estate
Hythe, Kent CT21 6PE, England
Tel/ Fax: +44 (0)1303 238880
brainfriendlypubs@dial.pipex.com
www.brainfriendly.co.uk

ISBN 0-9546664-29