Can I have some advice on teaching products and containers to English language students?

Question

I have some cards with pictures of containers, and some cards with the names of the products in the containers, but I've lost the instructions. What would be an effective way of teaching this vocab to a speaking class? Thanks

Answer 1

Use TPR (Total Physical Response). Look it up if you are not familiar with it. The action associated with containers is putting things into them and taking things out. Have the students take turns following commands. (For example: Put the pencil into the box. Put the penny into the can. Now take the penny out of the can and put it into the box. Take the pencil out of the box and put into the can.) Use the containers and products pictured on the cards if possible. This way they are not only learning the names of the containers and products, but also the usage of the verbs 'put' and 'take', as well as the associated prepositions 'into' and 'out of' (language 'chunking' is better than learning isolated words). And all of this vocabulary is reinforced by the personal physical action of doing it. It incorporates the kinesthetic learning style, which is the most universal, but also the auditory learning style (have them repeat "I am putting the penny in the box") and the semi-abstract visual learning style (the picture cards).