Why are One Word Images so engaging? One reason is that they are based on group creativity. Another is that the students understand everything—we have spoken sufficiently slowly about a simple topic that was built together from one word in English. A third reason that One Word Images are so engaging is that there is strong visual appeal involved. The artwork serves as a vehicle for deep interest while furthering our ability to get large numbers of repetitions of the language.
Their understanding is the foundation. When students?do not understand, the input is not comprehensible and bad feelings jump on them. This is especially true when it appears to them (falsely) that everyone else understands. When using One Word Images as a basis for stories, we limit the amount of information that is being collected. Thus, the students can relax and enjoy watching the image develop.