Teaching vocabulary
can be fun as well as rewarding to both yourself and your pupil(s). It
should be based on different approaches as different people respond in
their own way. Your technique should be most accommodating to the type
of learner you have. Read on and find out how teaching vocabulary can
be administered to beginners as well as to advanced learners.
Teaching Vocabulary - Technique #1. Word Connections/Boundaries: Words
may have similar meanings but there are boundaries on how and when a
word must be used. When vocabulary is taught, make sure to give the
student a clear idea about a particular context how the word will be
used so confusion is avoided.
Technique #2. Polysemy. Let the students be informed that a word may be
used differently. For instance, the word school can be applied to a
school of fish.
Technique #3. Synonymy/Antonym. These techniques may be widely used in
teaching vocabulary because they are very effective. Knowing the
different word equivalent will help the learner substitute the words
they frequently use. When they know about synonyms and antonyms,
retention will be enhanced since they may play with their words now.
Technique #4. Translation technique. Translation is the easiest way of
teaching vocabulary. The teacher will give the equivalent of the word in
the language known to the learners. The meaning will become obvious and
hopefully locked into memory.
Technique #5. Using Mnemonic Aids. This helps to boost retention. There
are learners who can better learn through visual materials. Formulas and
verses also fall under this category so don't hesitate to make a game
out of it.
Technique #6. Constant Practice. Let the learners practice using the
newly learned vocabulary. The words must be used in the sentence
properly. This should be done in routine until mastery is achieved. The
old adage "practice makes perfect" certainly applies here.
Technique #7. Include Stories. A teacher may begin teaching vocabulary
by beginning the lesson with interesting stories. The learners should
read the story and the difficult words to be learned should be in bold.
Before discussing about the story, let the learners list all the words
in bold and discuss their meaning based on how they are used in the
story.
Technique #8. Inject Grammar. Teaching vocabulary can be more effective
when grammar vocabulary is also introduced. In this way, learners will
know the different forms of words and how they are used in the sentence.
For instance, the word child is a noun, which can be formed as
adjective also; hence, childish.
Technique #9. Introduce the affective meaning of word. Words have
denotative and connotative meaning which may vary from one culture to
another. The teacher must discuss these words properly in the class. For
instance, adjectives can only connote while nouns can denote.
