How to Teach Phrasal Verbs in a Fun Way: 5 Strategies and 7 Fun Activities

Introduction

You may be struggling with how to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way to your ESL students. Do you find it challenging to make this topic interesting and engaging? If so, you are not alone. Many teachers face this problem, but fortunately, there are many ways to teach phrasal verbs in a fun and interactive way.

This article will explore some of the best strategies and fun activities for teaching phrasal verbs.

So, let’s get started.

Understanding Phrasal Verbs

Before dealing with how to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way, let’s first define what phrasal verbs are.

Phrasal verbs are verbs that consist of a verb and one or more particles. They function as a single semantic unit. They are used extensively in both spoken and written communication. Examples include “break up”, “put off”, “hang out”, etc.

Importance of Teaching Phrasal Verbs

It is crucial to teach your students how to use them correctly because of various reasons:

• Phrasal verbs are used frequently in everyday communication because they are an essential aspect of the English language.
• Without an understanding of phrasal verbs, your students may struggle to understand English speakers.
• Your students’ communication in English may be less effective without an understanding of what phrasal verbs are and how to use them.
• Moreover, phrasal verbs are often tested in English proficiency exams, so teaching them can help your students succeed in these tests.

Why teach phrasal verbs in a fun way?

Before describing how to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way, let’s first why they are important in the first place.

Teaching phrasal verbs in a fun way has several benefits. Fun activities can lead to better learning outcomes. They make the process of learning more enjoyable for both teachers and students.

Here are some reasons why:

• Increases Engagement: When students enjoy learning, they are more likely to engage with the material and retain the information.
• Reduces Anxiety: Many students find phrasal verbs challenging to learn. By making the process fun and enjoyable, you can reduce their anxiety and make learning less stressful.
• Encourages Creativity: Fun activities and games can encourage students to think outside the box and use phrasal verbs in creative ways.
• Enhances Memory: Fun activities foster long-term retention. Students who learn in a fun and engaging way are undoubtedly more likely to remember what they have learned.
• Improves Communication Skills: Teaching phrasal verbs in a fun way helps students improve their communication skills. They feel more confident using phrasal verbs in real-life situations.

Strategies for Teaching Phrasal Verbs

1. Introduce Phrasal Verbs in Context:

Teaching phrasal verbs effectively requires introducing them in a context. This means using them in a situation or conversation, so your students can see how they are used in real life. For example, you could introduce the phrasal verb “turn up” in the context of a party. For example, you could provide a situation where one of the participants would say:

• “I’m going to a party tonight. I hope my friends turn up.”

This way, your students can see that “turn up” means to arrive.

2. Use Visuals:

Another effective strategy is to use visuals to teach phrasal verbs. Pictures or videos are very helpful to enhance your students’ understanding of phrasal verbs. For example, you could show a picture of a person turning up the volume on a stereo to teach the phrasal verb “turn up.”

3. Provide Practice Exercises:

To help your students master phrasal verbs, you should provide them with plenty of practice exercises. These exercises could include fill-in-the-blank sentences or conversations where the students must use the phrasal verb correctly. You could also use games and activities to make the exercises more engaging.

4. Use Authentic Materials:

Using authentic materials like songs, movies, or TV shows can make learning phrasal verbs more enjoyable for your students. These materials can help your students see how phrasal verbs are used in real-life situations.

5. Make it Fun:

Finally, the key to teaching phrasal verbs in a fun way is to make it enjoyable for your students. You could use games, role-playing activities, or other interactive activities to make the lessons more engaging. You could also use humor or jokes to make the lessons more entertaining.

How to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way: 7 fun activities

Here are seven fun activities you can use to teach phrasal verbs:

1. Phrasal Verb Charades: 

Write a list of phrasal verbs on index cards. Have one student draw a card and act out the phrasal verb while the other students try to guess what it is.

Here’s how to play charades to teach phrasal verbs::

1. Write a list of phrasal verbs on slips of paper, fold them up, and put them in a bowl.
2. Divide the class into teams. Each team will take turns selecting a slip of paper from the bowl and acting out the phrasal verb for their team to guess.
3. The team that guesses the phrasal verb correctly gets a point.
4. If the team is having trouble guessing, you can give them a hint by writing the phrasal verb on the board or providing a definition.
5. Once the round is over, the teams switch turns, and the game continues.

Here are some example phrasal verbs that you can use for this game:

Phrasal Verbs

Turn on – Look for – Take off – Put away – Bring up – Figure out – Set up – Turn off – Run into – Give back

2. Phrasal Verb Matching Game: 

Write a list of phrasal verbs and their definitions on separate index cards, shuffle them, and have students match the phrasal verb to its definition.

Here’s how to play the phrasal verb matching game:

1. Write a list of phrasal verbs on one set of cards and their definitions on another set of cards. For example, one card might have “turn on” written on it, and another card might have the definition “to activate a device or appliance.”
2. Shuffle both sets of cards separately and lay them out on a table or the floor with the definitions face down.
3. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
4. One player selects a phrasal verb card and reads it out loud to their partner or group. The other player or group then selects the definition card that matches the phrasal verb.
5. If the definition is correct, the player or group gets to keep the matching cards. If the definition is incorrect, the cards are returned to their original position on the table or floor.
6. The game continues until all the matching cards have been collected.

If you use the  phrasal verbs mentioned in the previous activity, you can use the following definitions to use them in this game:

Phrasal Verbs	Definitions:
1. Turn on 2. Look for 3. Take off 4. Put away 5. Bring up 6. Figure out 7. Set up 8. Turn off 9. Run into 10. Give back	To activate a device or appliance To search for something To remove clothing or accessories To return something to its proper place To bring a topic or subject to someone’s attention To solve a problem or puzzle To assemble or prepare something for use To deactivate a device or appliance To encounter someone unexpectedly To return something to its owner or original location

3. Phrasal Verb Storytelling: 

Have students work in pairs to create a short story that uses as many phrasal verbs as possible. Encourage them to be creative and use the phrasal verbs in different tenses and forms.

Here are some specific instructions on how to use the “Phrasal Verb Storytelling” activity:

1. Remind the students of the concept of phrasal verbs, providing examples and explanations of what they are and how they are used in English.
2. Divide the class into pairs and assign them the task of creating a short story that uses as many phrasal verbs as possible.
3. Provide a list of common phrasal verbs to help students get started. Encourage them to use the phrasal verbs in different tenses and forms, such as the past tense, present continuous, and so on.
4. Give the students time to work on their stories, either in class or for homework.
5. When the stories are completed, have the pairs present their stories to the class. Encourage the audience to listen for the phrasal verbs in each story, take notes, and try to identify the meaning of any unfamiliar ones.
6. After each presentation, have a class discussion about the phrasal verbs used in the story. Ask the students to identify the verbs, their meanings, and how they were used in context.
7. Finally, ask the students to reflect on the activity and the use of phrasal verbs in their storytelling. Did they find it challenging to use the phrasal verbs correctly? Did they enjoy using them creatively in their stories? Would they like to practice using phrasal verbs in other contexts?

4. Phrasal Verb Board Game: 

Create a board game that includes phrasal verbs. Have students roll a dice and move their game piece to a square that includes a phrasal verb. Then, they must use the phrasal verb in a sentence correctly to move forward.

Here are some specific instructions on how to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way using the “Phrasal Verb Board Game” activity:

1. Create a game board that includes squares with phrasal verbs written on them. The board can be any size but should include a start and finish square, as well as other squares with different phrasal verbs.
2. Divide the class into small groups of 2-4 students. Then, provide each group with a game board, a dice, and a game piece for each student.
3. Explain the rules of the game: Each player rolls the dice and moves their game piece the number of squares indicated by the dice. When they land on a square with a phrasal verb, they must use the phrasal verb in a sentence correctly to move forward.
4. If a player cannot use the phrasal verb correctly, they must move back to their previous square. If they use it correctly, they can stay on the square and roll the dice again on their next turn.
5. Encourage students to help each other if they are struggling to use a phrasal verb correctly. This can help create a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
6. The first player to reach the finish square is the winner.
7. After the game, have a class discussion about the phrasal verbs used in the game. Ask students to identify the verbs, their meanings, and how they were used in context.

5. Phrasal Verb Song Lyrics:

Choose a song that contains phrasal verbs and have students listen to the song and underline the phrasal verbs. Then, have them discuss the meaning and use of each phrasal verb.

Here are some specific instructions on how to teach phrasal verbs using the “Phrasal Verb Song Lyrics” activity:

1. Choose a song: Select a song that contains several phrasal verbs. Make sure the song is appropriate for your students and the language level you are targeting.
2. Give students the lyrics: Provide students with the lyrics of the song and ask them to listen to the song while reading the lyrics. Instruct them to underline any phrasal verbs they hear.
3. Review the phrasal verbs: After students have listened to the song and identified the phrasal verbs, review the meaning and use of each phrasal verb. You can do this as a class discussion or in small groups.
4. Analyze the lyrics: Encourage students to discuss how the phrasal verbs are used in the context of the song. Ask them to identify the verb and the particle and determine if the phrasal verb is separable or inseparable.
5. Practice using the phrasal verbs: Have students use the phrasal verbs they identified in the song in their own sentences or in a group discussion. This will help reinforce their understanding and use of phrasal verbs.

Examples of lyrics:

• “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
• “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
• “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey

6. Phrasal Verb Scavenger Hunt: 

Create a list of objects or locations that are associated with phrasal verbs (e.g., a door, a car, a window, a bed) and have students find these objects around the classroom or school. Then, they must use the associated phrasal verb correctly in a sentence.

Instructions on how to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way using the Phrasal Verb Scavenger Hunt activity:

1. Prepare the scavenger hunt list: Create a list of objects or locations that are associated with phrasal verbs (e.g., door, window, desk, ruler, etc.) Make sure that each item on the list has a corresponding phrasal verb that students can use in a sentence. Make sure that each item on the list has a corresponding phrasal verb that students can use in a sentence.
2. Introduce the activity: Explain to the students that they will be participating in a scavenger hunt to find objects or locations that are associated with phrasal verbs. Give them the list of items and explain that they will need to find each item on the list and use the associated phrasal verb correctly in a sentence.
3. Set the rules: Set the rules for the scavenger hunt. For example, you could give students a certain amount of time to find all the items on the list, or you could make it a race between pairs or teams.
4. Begin the scavenger hunt: Start the scavenger hunt and let the students search for the items on the list. As they find each item, have them write down the associated phrasal verb and use it correctly in a sentence.
5. Check the sentences: After the scavenger hunt is over, have students share their sentences with the class. Review the sentences and correct any errors. You could also have students vote on the most creative or accurate sentence for each item on the list.
6. Follow-up activity: As a follow-up activity, you could have students create their own phrasal verb scavenger hunt lists and exchange them with their classmates.

7. Phrasal Verb Roleplay: 

Roleplay can be a great way to teach phrasal verbs as it allows students to practice using them in context. Create a scenario where students must use phrasal verbs to communicate effectively. 

Here are some specific instructions on how to use roleplay to teach phrasal verbs:

1. Choose a scenario: Select a scenario that requires the use of phrasal verbs. For example, you could have students roleplay a conversation between a customer and a salesperson in a shop.
2. Introduce phrasal verbs: Before starting the roleplay, introduce the phrasal verbs that will be used in the scenario. A potential list of phrasal verbs that can be used in this context would be: try on, look for, pick out, check out, dress up, take off, and put on. Explain the meaning of each phrasal verb.
3. Assign roles: Assign roles to each student and provide them with a brief description of their character and their objectives in the conversation.
4. Start the roleplay: Allow students to start the roleplay, using the phrasal verbs they have learned in the scenario.
5. Give feedback: After the roleplay, provide feedback to each student. Focus on the use of phrasal verbs and provide corrections where necessary.
6. Repeat and vary: Repeat the roleplay with different scenarios and phrasal verbs. This will help students to practice using them in different contexts and reinforce their understanding.

Some tips to make roleplay more effective for teaching phrasal verbs include:

• Encourage students to use phrasal verbs naturally in the conversation rather than simply reciting them.
• Provide students with feedback on their use of phrasal verbs to help them improve their accuracy.
• Use scenarios that are relevant and interesting to your students to keep them engaged.
• Vary the scenarios and phrasal verbs to challenge students and reinforce their learning.

These activities can help make learning phrasal verbs more engaging and enjoyable for your students.

The activities described above can help make learning phrasal verbs more engaging and enjoyable for your students.

Conclusion

This article dealt with how to teach phrasal verbs in a fun way. Strategies on how to teach these verbs were provided along with seven fun activities that you can try with your students.

It should be noted that although teaching phrasal verbs can be challenging, it is an essential part of helping your students become fluent in English.

With the above tips and strategies, you can make your lessons more engaging and enjoyable for your students. Remember to introduce phrasal verbs in context, use visuals, provide practice exercises, use authentic materials, and make it fun.