An ESL lesson (memory helpers for kindergarten and phonics level).

Young ESL learners need to be exposed to several methods to help them learn the alphabet. I teach the alphabet while making the phonics sounds and trying to illustrate the large and small letters with my hands and body. The children can come to the front of the class and do the same. I/they draw the letter on the board, of course, or use a big chart/poster. Ask the kids to say big A, small a, big B, small b, etc. Don't introduce the word capital at this stage of their development. Big is fine.

Kids like the hand gestures and body positions very much, physical learning. For example a W is two Vs, then flip it over and you have an M. (Put two Vs together at the finger tips and you can also make a diamond and then a square.) Elbow is an L and a bow. Two children holding hands is a capital H, etc., etc. This is kinesthetic learning (body and mind) at its best. If you are good at sketching all the better. Always a winner.

A tent

B "bum" (un-dong-ee in Korean)

C Moon or nose ring of an ox.

D Half a circle or a tongue sticking out of a mouth.

E A comb or part of a rake (Also Korean letter T). Act out combing and raking motions..

F Part of a flag (tae-guk-ee in Korean)

G Grandfather bean (kong in Korean). Draw a bean with a little T -shaped walking stick. Then act out grandfather bean for the children. They love it.

H Is big I fallen over.

I Is big H fallen over.

J A fish hook. Sketch in the barb and eyelet.

K Fallen over K looks like the Korean letter for J.

L An elbow (L bow).

M Upside down W, or a "bum".

N Fallen over it becomes a Z.

O Is the mouth or eye or eye glasses.

P Is like a golf club. Act it out.

Q Is like a fan (bu-chai in Korean).

R Is a fat man walking with no head.

S Snake, spaghetti

T Walking stick or gun (also like a Korean letter).

U Half an m or w.

V Half an M or W

W An upside-down M or two Vs or Us.

X Part of a fence or two people kissing. Sketch the missing faces.

Y Sling shot or swim suit, etc. Sketch in the missing parts.

Z A fallen over N or lightening (electricity) or snoring Z-Z-Z-Z-Zs.

About The Author

Robin Tim Day is an English teacher with experince in Asia and the Middle East. Robin publishes articles and lessons at the http://www.eslteachersboard.com/ (free access to ESL resumes, jobs and materials). See more articles and lessons by Robin by visiting: http://www.eslteachersboard.com/

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