Visual aids can be defined in two ways: as a picture or a diagram you show learners to help their understanding, or in a broader sense as anything you show learners in a classroom to do this.

Male teacher in South Korea showing a picture book to learners

Visual aids can help understanding as well as retention.

Example
The class is learning vocabulary to name parts of the face and the teacher uses photographs of people as a visual aid.

In the classroom
Teachers can use pictures, video, symbols, gestures and facial expressions as visual aids.

Further links:
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/using-flash-cards-young-learners
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/graphic-organisers

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