BuzzWord

Age/Level: Teens – Adults/Low-Intermediate - Advanced

Time: 15 min
Resources: whiteboard, markers.
Aim: using semantics to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Procedure:
1. Choose a word which is difficult and unknown to the students, some good words
to begin with are babymoon or afterparty. Tip: You can choose words from
Macmillan Buzzword list at
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/buzzword/AtoZ.html
2. Have students write down a definition without using a dictionary. You can let
them work out the definition in pairs. Allow them a few minutes to think and
write.
3. Get each pair to read their definition.
4. Students will vote which of those is the correct one.
5. Read the correct definition aloud and praise the pair that was able to guess it
right.
6. If students manage to finish their first word fast, divide the class in pairs and
give each pair 2-3 words to define. Each pair can share their ideas with the rest
of the class when they are done.