Taboo Words: Practice Definitions and Defining

ČOUPKOVÁ, Eva. Taboo Words: Practice Definitions and Defining. Humanising Language Teaching. 2016, vol. 18, No 2, p. 1 - 4. ISSN 1755-9715.

Basic information

• Original name: Taboo Words: Practice Definitions and Defining
• Authors: ČOUPKOVÁ, Eva.
• Edition: Humanising Language Teaching, 2016, 1755-9715.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 60200 6.2 Languages and Literature
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Organization unit: Language Centre
• Keywords in English: taboo; definitions; words; structure

Abstract

This activity is good for pairs or groups of three to four students. It includes speaking, definitions, and subject-specific vocabulary, and can be applied in lessons based on ESP or in general English classes. I use Taboo Words in my course English for Mathematicians attended by students of all branches of mathematics whose level of English is usually between B1 and B2 levels. As we teach both Academic English and subject-specific terminology, this activity is ideal as it nicely combines both of these approaches. Definitions are important from the structural and language perspectives – most Ss are able to recognize definitions but the structure and grammar patterns in English definitions are not clear to all of them. The lesson is both theoretical – making Ss aware of the patterns employed in definitions – and practical – Ss create their own definitions using the method of Taboo Words. The aim of the exercise is to practice definitions and defining in a creative and engaging way. Students can consolidate their knowledge of structure and grammar patterns and create their own original definitions that they share and discuss within their groups.