Present a list of English vocabulary words, and ask students to write a sentence in English using each word. For an alternate activity, assign them to write a short story or essay using the listed words.
Ask a question in English and give one point to the first student or team to shout out the answer in a proper English sentence. Or toss a piece of candy to the person who calls out the answer first. You can end this simple game after a few minutes, and then proceed to the main lesson.
Have each student obtain a notebook to use as an English journal, and periodically set aside time for writing before the lesson begins. You could provide students with a prompt or question so they have something to write about. Review the journals occasionally so you can observe and correct your students' growing skills in unstructured writing.
Distribute English newspapers or books, and give students time to read. Even beginning students can learn words by looking at ads, headlines and comics. Encourage them to look up unfamiliar words. You could assign a particular article for everyone to read and then discuss the article together afterward. Children's picture books provide another fun way for beginning English readers to associate words with pictures and derive meanings of phrases through context.
Because it is often easier for people to memorize words when set to music, singing songs will help build your students' repertoire of vocabulary and phrases they can call upon when needed. Even simple children's songs can help students learn important terms pertaining to concepts such as numbers, animals, body parts and feelings.