Vocabulary-Building Activities for GCSE English Language

A logophile’s language learning library!

Continuously build students’ vocabulary in preparation for the new AO6 requirements of GCSE English Language exams with these varied and versatile starter, plenary, longer-writing and extension activities.

Will enhance learning and achievement of students

K Greaves, Teacher and Peer Reviewer

Easy to use and embed into your lesson plans. Fun but thorough practice across key areas of language including etymology, imagery and discourse.

A great collection of starting points for creative/descriptive writing... gathers together a whole collection of resources that are useful for one-off lessons or for a series of tasks

S Owen, HoD & Peer Reviewer
  • Differentiated to tailor to the individual learner – providing ‘Tips’ for lower-ability students and ‘Challenges’ for high achievers
  • Engaging activity formats including mind maps, match-ups, charts and tables –motivates different learning styles!
  • Enjoyable stimulus material from The Great Gatsby to ‘Little Miss Muffet’
    • Plus! Imaginative activities on song lyrics, emojis and phone apps make language analysis relevant and accessible!
  • Great for mixing and matching with classroom learning or for independent study

What do teachers say about this resource? (1776)

Overall, I think this is an excellent resource that will enhance learning and achievement of students. It is a very flexible resource and can be used in a number of ways, making it fit the requirements of many departments. It can be used as a homework booklet, intervention resource, starter activities and much more. A valuable resource for all English Language teachers!

K Greaves, Teacher and Peer Reviewer

This is a great collection of starting points for creative/descriptive writing, and it gathers together a whole collection of resources that are useful for one-off lessons or for a series of tasks... The range of tasks and the multiple examples mean that this author has done all the hard work, and we can just tailor and deliver it... Thank you for the time and effort put into creating something that can be used so easily... The POWERFUL mnemonic and the 26 ways to improve your vocab are both excellent starting points to engage pupils. Independent study and clear differentiation at both ends of the spectrum allow this to be a resource for all... The real strength of this resource is that you can start from anywhere, according to the needs of your class... The worksheets help to support a range of learning types, including visual and aural... Writing tasks are built up gradually to allow pupils to see the stages required to get from ordinary to excellent... References to phone apps, emojis, etc. make this a resource that pupils will engage with, as it will feel relevant to them... It’s a systematic resource, working through senses, emotions, adverbs, etc. Pupils will see the quality of their work increase quite quickly.

S Owen, HoD & Peer Reviewer