TEACHING VOCABULARY
Private Education
English Supervision
Teaching Vocabulary
Presented by/ Mr. Ali Alquraini
Senior Supervisor/ Mrs. Wafa Aljeraiwi
THE REASON BEHIND THIS SESSION AND WHY I CHOSE THIS TOPIC
WHAT IS VOCABULARY
A list or a collection of words and phrases usually alphabetically arranged and explained or defined.
A sum or stock of words employed by a language, group, individual or work or in a field of knowledge.
OR
WHY IS TEACHING / LEARNING VOCABULARY IMPORTANT?
1- Students will have a It better understanding of reading comprehension texts.
2- It Enables learners to write better essays / articles with a variety of words and meaningful sentences.
3- Students who are richer in vocabulary tend to do better in speaking and delivering information.
4- Children with a larger vocabulary are more confident and tend to do better academically.
5- It improves the ability to grasp ideas and think more logically.
6- It boosts the power of persuasion.
WHAT ARE THE MOST DIFFICULTIES DO YOU FACE WHEN PRESENTING NEW VOCABULARY?
MOST COMMON MISTAKES TEACHERS MAKE WHEN PRESENTING NEW VOC
1- Posting / writing the whole new vocabulary all at a time
book
Booking a ticket
MOST COMMON MISTAKES TEACHERS MAKE WHEN PRESENTING NEW VOC
2- Presenting the new vocabulary at the very beginning of class even before presenting THE THEME of the lesson.
MOST COMMON MISTAKES TEACHERS MAKE WHEN PRESENTING NEW VOC
3- Not discussing the meaning of new vocabulary with students or giving them the chance to guess the meaning.
MOST COMMON MISTAKES TEACHERS MAKE WHEN PRESENTING NEW VOC
4- Presenting the wrong part of speech for a certain word.
EXAMPLE: presenting the word “influence” in grade 9 as a verb while it is mentioned in the text as a noun.
MOST COMMON MISTAKES TEACHERS MAKE WHEN PRESENTING NEW VOC
5- Expecting students to elicit the meaning of a new word without using it in a meaningful sentence.
Do not just say the word the expect students to understand its meaning.
7 WAYS TO INTRODUCE NEW VOCABULARY
Using pictures to introduce new vocabulary
1- Picture it!
Using realia. Using real objects to show your students when introducing new vocabulary.
2-Keep it real.
Realia
racket
Before introducing the new voc, describe the scene in which it is used. Then, rephrase it using the new voc.
3- Tell it like it is.
EXAMPLE: She has a lot of money. She is rich.
rich
Make up original songs to introduce new vocabulary
4- Sing it loud
More suitable for younger ages (primary stage)
Teaching pair of words at one time like synonyms and antonyms
5- Introduce couples.
EXAMPLE (1)
clean
dirty
EXAMPLE (2)
receive
get
Use Total Physical Response that links a physical movement to an English word.
6- Get physical!
Miming
sweep
Teaching word roots provides them with better understanding for new voc they yet to encounter.
7- Teaching word roots
skillful
skill
EXAMPLE
7- Teaching word roots
Grade 9
What are the right steps for presenting a new word?
Step 1: Presenting / saying a word aloud one at a time letting students know how it is pronounced.
You can apply this as a group or asking students one by one to repeat after you.
Step 2: Asking students to repeat the word after you for pronunciation-checking
Do not forget to provide them with the part of speech (verb, noun…etc.)
Step 3: Writing the word on the board (or showing the word using a flash card)
Using realia, miming, synonyms or whichever suitable to help students guess the meaning.
Step 4: Using a suitable technique in order to present it.
Emphasizes part of speech and improves students’ sentence formation.
Step 5: Encouraging students to use the new word in a sentence.
WHAT ASPECTS OF VOCABULARY ITEM SHOULD THE TEACHER CONSIDER?
A checklist!
- What part of speech (noun – verb …etc)
1- The Form
- How it is spelled
- How it is pronounced (syllables and stress)
- How the word collocates with other words
We say “heavy rain” but we never say “strong rain”
Tackling this point requires:
a- Introducing the part of speech.
b- Checking pronunciation
c- Giving enough examples for how the word is used.
1- The Form
- Many words have more than one meaning. Make sure you present the right one according to the context.
2- The Meaning
“cross” (Grade 6, SB page 69)
angry
Go to the other side
- “The Meaning” also refers to the conveyed meaning or the purpose of a word.
2- The Meaning
“I am feeling blue.”
“I feel sad.”
Tackling this point requires:
a- Presenting and discussing the meaning of new vocabulary.
b- Using the word in a meaningful sentence that clarifies its purpose.
2- The Meaning
- Does it have a restricted use?
3- The Use
Is the word used casually or formally?
Formal: “incorrect”
Informal: “wrong”
- How the vocabulary item is used
3- The Use
“Allergic” usually followed by “to”
Example: I am allergic to cats.
Tackling this point requires:
a- Encouraging students to use new vocabulary in a sentences.
b- Helping students by using new vocabulary in simple sentences.
3- The Use
HAVE I COVERED ALL THESE ASPECTS WHEN I PRESENTED THE NEW VOCABULARY?
1- Form
2- Meaning
3- Use
HOW TO REINFORCE NEW VOCABULARY AND HAVE FURTHER PRACTICE
- Fill in the spaces exercise
- MCQs exercise
1- Test-based Exercises
A- Crosswords
2- Textbook Exercises
B- Parts of Speech Exercises
2- Textbook Exercises
C- Suffixes Exercises
2- Textbook Exercises
Engaging games support students understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and help ensure retention of content knowledge.
3- Games
Example: Two students can play this game.
3- Games
Ask students to say a word then the other student has to form another word based on the last letter.
Example
3- Games
ancient
trade
earn
neatly
More games can be found on this website
3- Games
MORE TIPS FOR BETTER VOCABULARY PRESENTATION
Know exactly how you are going to present each word and pick a technique to present them (realia, miming...etc.)
1- Be prepared and pre-plan your vocabulary presentation
Animal habitats should be protected by the government to keep them safe.
2- Use simple sentences when presenting new words in context.
Rivers are the habitat of crocodiles.
- Through homework, WB or SB exercises if available.
3- Provide some practice for using new vocabulary
- In closure at the end of the class or in the opener at the beginning of a class.
- Handouts and homework
- Writing the whole new vocabulary altogether on the board then presenting them will distract students
4- Present new vocabulary one by one.
- Students won’t be able to follow you properly
- Presenting the theme of the lesson will help students elicit or guess the meaning easily.
5- Introduce the theme of the lesson before presenting new vocabulary.
- The vocabulary presentation can be done after discussing some questions related to the lesson (after the “opener” or “before you read” for example in intermediate stage)
6- Use clear and suitable pictures
pearl
Any questions?