A semantic field (sometimes known as a lexical field) is a group of words related by meaning. In teaching a semantic field could be:
animals
verbs of perception
foodstuffs
…
In practical terms the definition is quite loose and general.
Sometimes a word will belong to just one semantic field but more usually it will belong to several. For example the…
Word Bag is a fun game which helps with semantic fields and vocabulary in general. It’s quick to set up and ideal to keep the class occupied for 10 minutes at the end of a lesson and it is very good for all ages and levels of students.
Running the Game
To start, divide the class into teams. Make sure that you have evenly balanced teams and…
Spelling Mix is a simple TEFL activity for students to practice the spelling of words in a semantic field.
It’s suitable for any age and level as long as the words the students are looking for are of the right level.
Preparation
Select a group of words of a suitable level and in the same semantic field. For this example we can use the semantic field WEATHER but…
Clap Slap is a simple game which is great fun with younger children. It practices listening comprehension, word groups and also helps them to let off a little steam!
Decide first on an appropriate word group. This will depend on your class and their level, but could be, for example:
things (nouns in general)
fruit
action words (verbs)
colors …
My Grandmother went to Market is a quick and simple traditional game which can be used in the TEFL classroom to practice various semantic fields. It is useful at the end of the class for a five minute filler to practice vocabulary learned earlier.
Once the class are familiar with it you can extend it and vary the gameplay to make it more complex and more engaging…
