Languages › English as a Second Language ESL Vocabulary Lesson Plan - Opposites for Beginning Level Learners Share Flipboard Email Print English as a Second Language Vocabulary Basic Conversations for English Language Learners Pronunciation & Conversation Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. our editorial process Kenneth Beare Updated March 17, 2017 Learning new vocabulary often requires "hooks" - memory devices that help students remember the words they have learned. Here is a quick, traditional and effective exercise focusing on pairing opposites. The opposites have been divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced level lessons. The exercise can be done as a matching exercise, or, for a greater challenge, students can be asked to come up with the opposites themselves. Both types of exercises are included in the resource section of this lesson. Aim: Improving vocabulary through the use of opposites Activity: Matching opposites Level: Beginner Outline: Divide students into small groups and distribute the opposites worksheet. Ask students to either match the opposites (exercise 1) or write the opposites (exercise 2). If you have more time, you can ask students to first match the opposites and then write out the opposites individually. Alternatively, you could give exercise as follow-up homework. Correct in class. Expand the exercise by asking students to provide synonyms. Exercise 1 - Match the Opposites boyspeakoldrightfarfootsisterwifeblackcoolbuycleansmallwomanbegindrinkfullfatstand upfathershorthardcoldlight big, largebrotherdark, heavydirtyeatemptyendgirlhead, handhothusbandleft, wronglistenlong, tallmanmothernear, closenew, youngsellsit downsoft, easythinwarmwhite Exercise 2 - Fill in the Opposites boyspeakoldrightfarfootsisterwifeblackcoolbuycleansmallwomanbegindrinkfullfatstand upfathershorthardcoldlight Intermediate Level Opposites Advanced Level Opposites Back to lessons resource page