I would like to ask you for suggestions to teach word formation to my teens students.

During their elementary level I usually teach them opposites, like small/big and so on...

However, when they reach a higher level of English it �s necessary to introduce them Suffixes and prefixes.

 

My question is: Should I introduce them gradually words like happy vs unhappy and give examples of words using the same formation?

 

Is it advisable to teach in the same class more than one prefix?

 

I have posted these questions on the forum because this year I have a group of sudents whose English is not that good :((

 

Hope you can help me. Thanks in advance. 

Here �s a worksheet of mine that I use for small groups as a kind of quiz:

http://en.islcollective.com/worksheets/worksheet_page?id=18099

Don �t know if it �s any good for what you want. I think messing around with the prefixes and trying to catch them out sets a challenge. If they are very slow then perhaps you �ll need to slow right down and teach "il-" for words starting with "L." And then perhaps "un" or "dis" ect. To tell the truth I find they tend to pick these things up anyway but prefixes do trip them up and now we have the added problem of words like "unlike" (verb - as opposed to dislike) thanks to Facebook. It �s a tricky one. I might have to have a think on that one myself!

 

 

Thanks so much for your help.

Hope it helps

Yolanda

excite                                 sell

excitement                          sold

exciting                               sale                           

excited                                seller

 

It�s played in groups of 4 with each student starting with 5-7 cards. They can ask anyone for a card but they must have one of the family in their hand. If no one has the card asked for the person must �fish� from the central pile. If they play smart they can �steal � from other players by noting what they ask for. The winner is the person with the most families.

Cheers Joy