Short answer
It can include words and the combinations of words people use, such as expressions and idioms. In S06E22, Gav asks Em to sort phrases like “catch some Zs”, “gutted” and “cook up a storm” under headings such as daily life, feelings, and food and drink.
Lexis includes individual words as well as combinations of words; vocabulary is often used as a synonym. The sorting game in S06E22 explores useful words and expressions together.
Try this in your next lesson
Sort peckish, gutted and run errands under food, feelings or daily life. Ask for a reason and a short situation.
👇 Scroll down for our practical checklist or activity and download.
Listen to the whole S06E22 discussion in our podcast episode guide here🔊.
Try a lexis sorting activity
Some expressions may fit more than one category. “Peckish”, for example, describes a feeling of hunger and connects naturally to food. Invite learners to explain their reasoning rather than forcing a single answer when different groupings make sense.
Sorting phrases can help learners notice meaning and use together, not only memorise isolated words.
Make the expression usable
Peckish creates a useful overlap in our game because being a little hungry is a feeling and a food-related idea. Accept a justified grouping instead of treating the category as something only the teacher can decide.
Our suggested follow-up is a two-line dialogue using one item. A learner might explain being a bit peckish and suggest a snack. Check meaning, natural wording and informality before trying another context. A complete expression may still need changes in tense or pronoun. Sorting is a first step towards use.
Gav and Em suggest: a short classroom adaptation
Use this as a starting routine and adapt it to your learners.
- Choose a few topic headings, such as work, feelings or daily life.
- Prepare useful words and phrases connected with the lesson.
- Ask learners to sort each item and explain their choice.
- Discuss when and how each expression might be used.
Answers and teacher guidance
Possible categories: peckish = food or feelings; gutted = feelings; run errands = daily life. Other justified groupings can work.
📥 Download the free teacher practice card (PDF)
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