I often ask learners to write example sentences using new vocabulary. This helps them remember, clarifies meaning and collocation, and focuses on usage. However, I find that just telling my learners to write examples is too open and so often unsuccessful, so I always give them a topic to write about.
 
This topic could be related to learning aims or be something that learners are thinking about in their daily lives, such as a recent news item. This can also prompt more discussion – and so more practice of the target language.

By Paul Kaye

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/try/tips/personalising-example-sentences