Many students that I have taught over the past five years know that vocabulary is important but they need tools how to learn words best. There can't be a one-size-fits-all method because everyone has different learning styles, needs, and preferences. I usually introduce multiple ways of documenting vocabulary to my students and let them decide how they want to keep track of new words. Here are a few ideas, some traditional and some newer: 1. The traditional vocabulary book Looking back at my own school years I remember copying new words and phrases into a notebook. You simply divide the pages of a composition book into two columns: the target language e.g. German on the left and the translation in the native language e.g. English on the right. 2. A modified version of the traditional vocabulary book Add a third column to the notebook. Use the new word in a sentence. If you can't come up with one, check your textbook or a dictionary for ideas. You are more likely to remember vocabulary if it's used in context. Instead you could also use the column for simple drawings, synonyms or antonyms to make connections to words that you already know. 3. Flashcards You have two options: You can make flashcards yourself or you can use online learning tools such as Quizlet. On Quizlet you can choose from already existing study sets generated by other users (teachers and students) or create your own. If you choose a study set, be aware that there may be mistakes. Study sets can be shared with other users - so if you have a study buddy, you could take turns in creating them. Customisable activities and games make learning more fun. The app is available for both iPhone and Android. Notes for teachers: Subscribers can upload their own voice recording. This is a useful tool if you want to record your own voice and share it with students to practice pronunciation and intonation. Thanks to the app, your students can play games with their vocabulary anywhere! If they have internet access of course :) 4. Topic-related mind-maps or word webs Textbooks may list new words or chunks in the order that they are introduced. When learners simply copy them in a notebook, there is no connection between the new words or to the vocabulary previously learned. Knowing that making connections is essential in language learning, we can organize lexis in topic webs and make use of them. Recording words this way is not a mindless task, it means learning them at the same time. And isn't that the ultimate goal? My reading tip for new teachers as well as the experienced: Jim Scrivener's Learning Teaching How about you? Share your ideas in the comment section!
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October 2017
CategoriesCopyright 2017 Stephanie Mauro
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