The Word Wall approach to vocabulary development embraces a strong competitive element in the form of a game - a game which the author devised and used for twenty-five years with students from a wide range of backgrounds: from urban, suburban and rural areas, from inner cities and affluent neighbourhoods, among native English speakers and those for whom English was a new language. The Word Wall approach has successfully challenged and motivated the most reluctant of learners by giving them the keys to eventual success: the command of language, the resources of an enhanced vocabulary, and the confidence to strengthen their reading, speaking and writing skills.