Balderdash is a word game that can be used to help students further their understanding of French vocabulary words.
Instructions:
Materials:
- Scrap paper (approximately the same size)
- Writing implement
Step 1. Choose a word from the French language. This word would preferably be one that no one is familiar with.
Step 2. Write down the definition of the word.* Have students write a possible definition of the word. The teacher can give them prompts like:
a. Is it a noun, a verb, or an adjective?
b. Does it look like a word you may know?
These prompts are optional.
*Depending on whether the students are writing in French or English, write the definition in the same language.
Step 3. All the students hand in their definitions (without showing anyone).
Step 4. The teacher will read out the definitions (without showing anyone the writing). Number the definitions and put these numbers on the board so everyone can see. These can be read out twice.
Step 5. After the definitions have been read, ask the students to vote on which one they believe to be the actual definition of the word. Put their name beside the number they voted for.
Points:
Score 1 point: Students receive 1 point for every vote their definition receives.
Score 1 point: Students receive 1 point for voting on the right answer.
Score 2 points: Students receive 2 points if their definition closely matches the real one.
Score 2 points: The teacher receives 2 points if no one guesses the correct definition.
Adaptations:
1. For beginners and lower levels, give them the category that the word falls under (i.e., noun, verb, etc.)
2. Allow students to write the definition in English.
3. For students needing a challenge, have them write the definition in French.
Language Strategies:
Guess the meaning of an unknown word or expression.
Assessment:
This game would enable assessment of students' ability to use clues (e.g., cognates, affixes, the etymology of word roots) to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.