Easy ESL word sort using leftover laminated strips. Students sort vocabulary by category for engaging, hands-on language practice.

Hands-On ESL Vocabulary Practice: DIY Word Sort Activity Using Leftover Laminated Strips

If you're anything like me, you probably have a drawer (or two!) filled with leftover laminated paper strips from past classroom projects. Instead of letting them go to waste, I recently turned mine into a simple, budget-friendly, and highly engaging ESL word sort activity—and my students loved it!

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I created the activity, how it works, and why it’s such an effective tool for vocabulary practice.

Why Word Sorts Work in the ESL Classroom

Word sorting is one of the most powerful strategies for helping students categorize, connect, and retain vocabulary. When learners physically manipulate words, they’re more likely to understand relationships between them and remember them later.
This activity strengthens:

Vocabulary recognition
Word-category association
Reading skills
Kinesthetic learning
Independent work habits

Plus, the setup is incredibly low-cost and can be reused for multiple lessons.

Materials I Used

Leftover laminated paper strips
Scissors
Marker
Hole punch
Paper clips (or binder rings)

Everything was already in my classroom—no extra spending required!

How I Made the Activity

Create Vocabulary Cards:
I cut the laminated strips into smaller pieces and wrote vocabulary words on each one. I used three themes:
- Animals
- School supplies
- House items
  About 10 words per category.
Make the Category Strips:
I took longer laminated strips and wrote each main theme—Animals, School Supplies, and House—on separate pieces.
Punch Holes:
I punched as many holes in each long strip as vocabulary words in that category.
Then I punched a hole in each individual word card.
Add Paper Clips:
I attached a simple paper clip to each small word card so students could hook them onto the long category strips.

And just like that, the activity was ready!

How Students Use It

Students select a word card, read it, and decide which category it belongs to. Then they hook the card onto the correct long strip. This hands-on motion adds a fun tactile element, and students get immediate visual feedback as the categories fill up.

You can use the activity during:

Centers
Small groups
Early finisher work
Vocabulary warm-ups
Review sessions

It’s also great for mixed-ability classes because students can work at their own pace.

Extensions & Variations

Want to take it further? Try:

Timed challenges: How fast can they sort all the words correctly?
Partner check: One student sorts, the other checks.
Add pictures: Great for beginners or young learners.
New themes: Food, clothing, nature, verbs, places in town—the options are endless.
Writing connection: After sorting, students choose three words from each category and write sentences.

Final Thoughts

This DIY ESL word sort activity is proof that effective teaching tools don’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few leftover materials and a little creativity, you can create an engaging vocabulary experience that your students will return to again and again.

If you try this activity or put your own twist on it, I’d love to hear how it goes!