Antonymy 1 (Stein)

Activity 1

Explain to learners that antonyms are pairs of words that mean the opposite to each other. This is very common with adjectives. Show the three examples; then ask learners to come up with three more pairs themselves. Check to make sure they are using adjectives. 

Next, explain that antonyms can also be nouns. Ask learners to complete the list of five pairs. The solutions are in the next slide, but you can also accept alternatives. Ask if the learners notice any pattern (or lack of pattern) in the list of pairs. 

In the next slide, explain that each of these pairs shows two distinct words that don't appear similar to each other i.e. they are spelled very differently. However, in many cases, antonyms are very similar and are formed using prefixes. Show the two example words and highlight the prefixes in red. Ask learners to think of any other examples.

Activity 2

Explain that these prefixes are used to show the absence or lack of the original noun which is usually an abstract noun. Check to make sure learners understand this term and take time to explain if need be. The next activity is a mix-and-match. Have the learners copy the boxes and have a go at matching them individually before checking as a whole class. Drag the cards together to match and double click to separate. 

To consolidate, ask learners to write a sentence using each word with a prefix. Compare with a partner and share the best with the whole class. 

Activity 3

Explain to learners that there is another type of prefix that expresses opposite in a different way. All the ones they have previously seen simply denote the absence or lack of something. There is another prefix which also means that something is done wrongly or incorrectly. Show the leaerners the three example words and ask if they can add a prefix to change the meaning. Show the answers in the next slide (-mis). Ask learners to write a sentence using each word, using a dictionary if they need help with the meaning. 

Next, explain that the same noun can take one or more prefixes, each of which slighly changes the meaning. Give the example of 'appearance' and how each prefix creates a different word and meaning. 

Finally, ask learners to look at the two example words. For each one, add two different negative prefixes and write a sentence for each.

disease, unease

disinterest, uninterest

This lesson is adapted (with permission) from Words and Meanings: A Systematic Guide for the Teaching of English Vocabulary, by Gabriele Stein.

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