1. Teaching Character Words by Using Zodiac Signs
Mei-hsiu Lai
laimichelle2006 (at)dlit.edu.tw
De Lin Institute of Technology
(Tucheng, Taiwan)

2. Introduction
Teaching character words is always a challenging
task for teachers because these words are abstract;
that is, they exist in our thoughts or ideas but do
not have a physical or practical existence. It is not
fun or wise for teachers to present students with a
long list of character words and ask them to
memorize them and wait for a quiz. Diligent
students do take a lot of time and efforts to put
them into their memory but forget them in a really
short time. Working with prepared activities
provides students with very good opportunities to
expand their knowledge of character words and
meanings

3. Step 1. Prepare a handout of Zodiac-sign
descriptions like the following.
Step 2. Find out which sign of the zodiac
students were born under.
Step 3. Do you agree or do you disagree with
these personality description words?
Step 4. Share with Peers (1)

4. Step 5. Share with Peers (2)
Step 6. Share with Peers (3)
Step 7. Collaboration Task (1)
Step 8. Collaboration Task (2)
Step 9. Follow–up Homework: Personality
Profile

5. Teaching Character Words by Using Zodiac Signs
Mei-hsiu Lai
Unit: Myself
Topic: Personality Tralts
Sub topic: Personality Characteristics
Mattayomsuksa 1

7. Vocabulary
zodiac

8. Vocabulary
astrological signs

9. Vocabulary
humanity

10. Structure
Personal Adjective
Subject + verb to be + adjective

11. An adjective is a word which qualifies a noun,
that is, shows or points out some distinguishing
mark or feature of the noun. Glancing at the
following list of personality adjectives clarifies
the meaning and function of other
Descriptive adjectives can be divided into
different categories such as colors, sizes, sound,
taste, touch, shapes, qualities, time, ages and
also personality adjectives.

12. For example
Subject adjective
I am dependable.
verb to be

13. Subject
They are generous.
adjective
verb to be

14. Subject verb to be
He is creative. adjective
Subject
She is curious.
adjective
verb to be

16. Character Words
Step 1 Find out which sign of the
zodiac you were born under.
Q1. I was born on ___________ (birth date).
Q2. I am a/an ______________ (sign).

17. Step 2 Do you agree or do you disagree
with these personality description words?
Q3. Which two traits do you think are true about you? List a reason
for each.
(1) I am __________.
Reason:_____________________________________.
(2) I am __________.
Reason:_____________________________________.
(Sample Answer: I am creative. I hate old and repeated stuff. I love
everything presented in its unique and fresh style.)
Q4. Which two traits about you do you think are false? List a reason
for each.
(1) I am not __________.
Reason:__________________________________________.
(2) I am not __________.
Reason:__________________________________________.
(Sample Answer: I am not tense. I always feel relaxed in my daily
life.)

18. Step 3 Share with Peers
- Work in pair.
- Don’t pair up with the same signs.
- Introduce the characteristics of your
own sign to their partners.

19. Step 4 Collaboration Task
- Make a group of 4 people.
- Choose five character words to portray a
teacher, a celebrity, or a person known by all
classmates.
- Tell the whole class why they choose these
five words to describe the target person.

20. Step 5 Follow–up Homework:
Personality Profile
- Choose a member of your family.
- Categorize character words to describe
this family member.

21. The example of personal profile
Personality Profile of My Sister
How would you describe your sister in terms of:
(a) ability: sharp and talented
(b) attitudes toward study/work: devoted and
reliable
(c) attitudes toward life: optimistic and calm
(d) attitudes toward people: sociable and patient