Explore Emotions And Teach Vocabulary When Using Pictures In ESL

Powerful words to express emotions is what an ESL teacher needs.

ESL teachers need words and expressions that capture and reflect the students’ feelings at the precise moment they see a picture.

Using pictures in ESL classroom was one of the topics of my last post, Guaranteeing 3 Excellent Ways Of Using Pictures In ESL.

Initially, I approached the 3 main things which, I believe, you can do to explore vocabulary when using real-life pictures in ESL:

In the first place, Specific Vocabulary Topics;

Afterwards, Emotional States;

Finally, Opinions.

Subsequently, I listed 8 Emotional States I believe a language teacher can explore with pictures.

Therefore, in this post, I’m going to specify some ADJECTIVES and EXPRESSIONS for each of the 8 Emotional States: 

1. Curiosity
2. Urgency
3. Confusion
4. Relaxation
5. Inspiration
6. Anger
7. Safeness and Satisfaction 
8. Happiness

These ADJECTIVES and EXPRESSIONS are easy to teach and elicit during ESL lessons, especially with the help of pictures.

I think they are very powerful words to express emotions, points of view and states of mind.

Additionally, check out this post – What Is The Best Way To Teach Vocabulary?

POWERFUL WORDS TO EXPRESS EMOTIONS

Help students to express themselves through vocabulary!

1. Curiosity (when you want your students to be absorbed by a desire) 

ADJECTIVES

EXPRESSIONS

1	Secret agenda
2	What no one tells you
3	In the dark
4	Out of the public view
5	Behind the scenes
6	Behind the curtain
7	In secret
8	Off-the-record
9	No one talks about
10	Have you heard…?

After learning some of these, next time your students watch a movie or read a book, they will recognize some!

2. Urgency (if you want them to take action)

ADJECTIVES

1	Magical
2	Magnificent
3	Profitable
4	Quick
5	Remarkable
6	Revolutionary
7	Safe
8	Sensational
9	Superb
10	Superior
11	Tremendous
12	Trustworthy
13	Worthwhile
14	Immediate
15	Imminent

EXPRESSIONS

1	Don’t miss out
2	Left behind
3	Enter now
4	Act fast
5	Only a few remaining/left
6	Last chance
7	Only … hours left
8	You can’t wait
9	Special edition
10	Limited stock

3. Confusion (if you want them to feel a bit puzzled and make them ask questions – useful for WH-questions)

ADJECTIVES

1	Doubtful
2	Uncertain
3	Indecisive
4	Perplexed
5	Hesitant
6	Unsure
7	Disoriented
8	Overwhelmed
9	Trapped
10	Terrified
11	Suspicious
12	Anxious
13	Alarmed
14	Threatened
15	Insecure

EXPRESSIONS

1	Clear as mud
2	Lost the thread
3	Head-scratching
4	The fog of war
5	Hot mess
6	Identity crisis
7	Go around in circles
8	Mess around
9	Organised chaos
10	Don’t mess with my head

4. Relaxation (when you want to offer mental peace and relaxation)

ADJECTIVES

1	Calm
2	Comfortable
3	Relaxed
4	Serene
5	Balanced
6	Aware
7	Meditative
8	Graceful
9	Grateful
10	Carefree
11	Unburdened
12	Glowing
13	Radiant
14	Light
15	Spontaneous

EXPRESSIONS

1	At ease
2	Take it easy
3	Give it a rest
4	Take a chill pill
5	Breathing room
6	Off duty
7	Chill out
8	Loosen up
9	What a relief
10	Put your feet up

5. Inspiration (making kids feel like they are capable and in charge)

ADJECTIVES

1	Motivated
2	Uplifted
3	Confident
4	Enthusiastic
5	Self-sufficient
6	Unique
7	Empowered
8	Focused
9	Capable
10	Inspired

EXPRESSIONS

1	In the zone
2	In one’s game
3	All the way
4	Go into orbit
5	Add fuel to the fire
6	High-class
7	Award-winning
8	Five-star
9	First-rate
10	With a capital A, B, etc.

6. Anger (causing a variety of emotions and driving several actions)

ADJECTIVES

1	Furious
2	Tragic
3	Deplorable
4	Harmful
5	Shocking
6	Terrible
7	Offensive
8	Repulsive
9	Corrupting
10	Controlling
11	Atrocious
12	Violent
13	Annoying
14	Malicious
15	Aggressive

EXPRESSIONS

1	Hit the Ceiling
2	Have a meltdown
3	Lose control
4	Flip out
5	Eat someone alive
6	Get hot under the collar
7	In a black mood
8	Pissed off (BE slang)
9	Damn
10	Hell’s bells

7. Safeness and Satisfaction (building a sense of security when you want your students to feel protected)

ADJECTIVES

1	Accurate
2	Convenient
3	Effective
4	Highly effective
5	Confident
6	Self-sufficient
7	Reliable
8	Guaranteed
9	Adaptable
10	Certain
11	Secure
12	Stable
13	Honest
14	Solid
15	Trusting

EXPRESSIONS

1	A cut above
2	In safe hands
3	Afternoon Delight
4	Safe space
5	The coast is clear
6	Comfort blanket
7	Comfort zone
8	Business before pleasure
9	Guilty pleasure
10	Joy to the world

8. Happiness (when you want them to feel good with life)

ADJECTIVES

1	Delighted
2	Overjoyed
3	Thankful
4	Ecstatic
5	Satisfied
6	Cheerful
7	Euphoric
8	Thrilled
9	Pleased
10	Glowing

EXPRESSIONS

1	On top of the world
2	In seventh heaven
3	At ease
4	Grin from ear to ear
5	Over the moon
6	On cloud nine
7	Like a dog with two tails
8	Paint the town red
9	Happy as Larry
10	Walking on air

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Above all, I hope you find this post useful! As a matter of fact, I would like to hear some kind of feedback… How have you taught some powerful words to express emotions?

Visit this site and read the post on Useful Words and Phrases to Describe How You Feel.

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