Using Realia in the

Classroom
 Using Realia in the Classroom

Chris Soames

What is Realia? If you're thinking the word 'realia' sounds vaguely Latin,
then you'd be correct. In the TEFL classroom, the word realia means using
real items found in everyday life as an aid to teaching English. Using realia
helps to make English lessons memorable by creating a link between the
objects and the word or phrase they represent. So how and why should
teachers use realia in the classroom?

The advantages of using Realia As English teachers, the use of realia is

only limited by your imagination. It is possible to use realia to teach almost
any subject. Using realia stimulates the mind, and is one way of encouraging
creativity by involving the senses. Realia saves time, as recognition of an
object is immediate and so cuts out the need for lengthy explanations and
drawing funny pictures on the board. Elicitation becomes much easier and
holding up the object with a raised eyebrow will usually result in the desired
word being spoken.

Realia breathes life into new vocabulary, and the chances of your
students remembering the new words you have taught them increases. Take
the word biscuit: the probability of remembering it becomes much higher
after experiencing the taste, touch and smell of the object! Realia doesn't
have to be limited to food or drink. Timetables, tickets, newspapers, clothes...
in fact any object you can think of can be used as a teaching aid.

Won't I look silly bringing teabags into the lesson if I'm teaching adults?
No! Adults are usually very receptive to realia, and find this approach
unusual and refreshing. Bringing realia into your lessons is a great
icebreaker, and serves as a useful tool to prompt conversation. It also takes
some of the attention and pressure off you by concentrating the students'
minds on the object and word in question.

Many adults have had bad experiences of learning English at school,

and often remember their English lessons as being dull and repetitive. Using
realia and other visual aids will generate interest and help create an
atmosphere conducive to learning.

Realia for young learners If you are going to teach English to young
children, realia is a must. Young children are at the perfect age to learn a
language and as visual learners, you should try to tap into their natural
creativity. Bring in fruit, vegetables and lots of toys. Children love to role-play
and enjoy playing games, so ask them to move animals onto tables, under
tables, or around the farmyard. Make up simple stories using toy animals or
puppets, and children will enjoy their English lessons, and be motivated to
learn.
 Using Realia for learning vocabulary/grammar It is unrealistic to bring
real objects into your classroom for every single word that you wish to teach
and some words will lend themselves better than others to using realia.
Remember, realia can be used indirectly as a tool for teaching grammar; for
example, items of food and drink are perfect for teaching uncountable and
countable nouns.

Using Realia in Role-play Don't stop at using realia to learn vocabulary

or grammar. Use objects in role-plays to make the situation more realistic.
This could be something as simple as a mobile phone or your train tickets.
Using realia is only limited by your imagination: here are some ideas on how
to use realia in your lessons.

Use your country's flag and a map to show students where you live and
to help them learn the names of foreign countries
Stage a fashion show after learning the vocabulary for items of clothing
Utilise toys such as plastic animals and toy cars in games for young
learners
Bring in items such as biscuits and plastic cups to practise ordering
drinks
Timetables, tickets and pedestrian maps of London are great for
practising role-play scenarios such as asking for directions, or buying tickets
Teaching business English? Use mobile phones to create telephone
conversations, practise giving numbers, arranging meetings, or discussing a
new product
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