Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is finding another way to say something. Paraphrasing is not only an essential skill for
all speakers but also key to learners developing communicative ability beyond their existing
knowledge of language.

Example

The learner is describing a photograph of a glider and doesn't know the word, so paraphrases by
saying ‘an airplane that uses the wind'.

In the classroom

One way to practise paraphrasing is through word games. For example, in a definition game learners
have to provide paraphrases, so that others can guess the original word. This can be done in written
form in crossword activities as well.