How Can Memory, Matching Games & Modals Improve English Lessons? TEFL A-Z M – S06E13

How Can Memory, Matching Games & Modals Improve English Lessons? – S06E13How can matching activities, memory techniques and modal verbs make English lessons more memorable?This week, Gav and Em continue their A–Z of TEFL with the letter M. They examine whether matching exercises are worthwhile or simply time-consuming, before testing a dessert-and-country activity that works visually or as a speaking task.What should learners do when they cannot remember a word? Em argues that successful communication does not depend on recalling the perfect vocabulary every time. Learners can paraphrase, compare, gesture or describe the idea using the English they already have. Gav explores practical memory techniques including repetition, chunking, visualisation, mind maps, personalisation and meaningful associations.There are also two adaptable classroom activities. A modal murder mystery gets learners discussing clues and practising past modal forms such as might have been and must have been. Movie Time asks students to predict what happens next, encouraging speculation, present-tense narration and future language.Drawing on activities they have used with their own students, Gav and Em also discuss micro-teaching for supporting fast finishers and learners who need extra help. Finally, Gav leads a short mindful moment that teachers could use to calm a class and prepare learners for their next activity.Visit https://howtoenglishpod.com for practical teaching ideas and resources ready to use.If you find the show useful, you can send us a thanks at https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpodResourcesElementary, My Dear Watson – Advanced Grammar Games, NelsonChapters00:00 – Welcome to M in the A–Z of TEFL00:56 – Do matching activities help learners remember vocabulary?04:30 – Dessert and country matching game10:30 – Mnemonics and the FANBOYS conjunctions12:14 – What should learners do when they forget a word?15:55 – Memory techniques, associations and personalisation18:24 – Teaching past modals through a murder mystery24:09 – Movie Time: predicting what happens next28:45 – Micro-teaching and supporting fast finishers30:08 – A mindful moment for teachers and learners32:59 – Final thoughts and next week’s letter