Effective vocabulary teaching has always been a difficult and challenging task for ESL teachers. Is it possible to divert students from learning new vocabulary by heart as if it was a multiplication table? We at english4tutors believe it is. Our writers tend to follow a 4-step pattern when it comes to learning key vocabulary in every lesson:
1. Introducing new vocabulary
The student meets new words for the first time by watching a video or reading a passage.
2. Identifying the meaning
The key vocabulary is extracted from the text/video, so the student matches each word or phrase to its meaning, based on the context in which they were used.
3. Vocabulary reproduction
The student uses newly acquired vocabulary to complete sentences, that way revising what they’ve learned.
4. Creative use of vocabulary
The last and most important step of learning vocabulary successfully is using it in speech to express one’s opinion, provide a description, or tell a story.
The student is asked a question containing a key word or is encouraged to use key vocabulary in their answer, as part of various speaking exercises – pick a card, talk about personal experiences, describe a picture or a situation, discuss questions related to the topic, etc.
Go ahead and see for yourself! 🙂
Tijana
