MIDTESOL Matters
Summer 2001
A Publication of Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages


TEACHING TIPS AND MEMORABLE METHODS
Corner Editor: Ayse G. Stromsdorfer

A Quick Introduction to Count and Non-count Nouns 

By Laura Stallings 

Level: Beginners

Materials: Your picture file or realia

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Class time: 20-30 minutes 
 

  1. With students in a large circle on the floor, place the following pictures or objects on the floor: dessert, ocean, sky, forks, knives, spoons, dishes, drinking glasses, beds, lamps, tables, chairs, couches, people (show individuals and groups), apples, oranges, bananas, watches, dollars & coins.
  2. Ask students what they can or cannot count. Pictures can then be grouped into categories: silverware, furniture, time, money.
  3. Recap on the board the two lists of count and non-count nouns.
 

Students catch on quickly and the concept is clear to them through the pictures and realia. They also enjoy trying to count things like sand. This activity sets the stage for introducing containers and measurements used to count non-count nouns. It is also easy to adapt to any materials you have at hand. 

Laura Stallings has an MA in TESL and teaches ESL and Italian at Saint Louis University and Washington University.