Answer to Question #222943 in English for Norma

Question

Discuss and explain 5 ways to teach vocabulary development in your classroom to enable learners to communicate well in a language (20)

Answer 1

Here are five strategies to use with elementary students in vocabulary development.

1. Word Detective

The most valuable thing that you can do to increase your students’ vocabulary is to encourage them to read. Wide reading is the main pathway for word acquisition. This activity enables students to see words in different contexts, therefore deepening their knowledge. It requires students to find new words as they encounter them in their daily reading. Here’s how to word detective works:

The teacher gives students a list of keywords to search for.

Students are to write each target word and its sentence on a sticky note, then place it on their desk each time they encounter a keyword.

At the end of each school day, devote a few minutes to reading each sticky note.

You can even make a game out it by assigning each word a point.

2. Semantic Maps

A semantic map is a graphic organizer that helps students visually organize the relationship between pieces of information. Researchers have identified this strategy as a great way to increase students’ grasp of vocabulary words. Semantic mapping can be used as a prereading activity to activate prior knowledge, or to introduce key words. As a post-reading activity, it can be used to enhance understanding by adding new concepts to the map. Here’s how it works:

The teacher decides on a keyword and writes it on the front board.

Students then read the keyword and are asked to think about other words that come to mind when they read the word. Students then make a list of all of the words.

Students share the recorded words, then as a class, the words are categorized.

Once category names are assigned, a class map is created and discussed.

Students are then encouraged to suggest additional categories for the map or add to the old ones.

Any new words that relate to the topic are added to the map as students read through the text.

3. Word Wizard

Cooperative learning is an effective way for students to learn and process information. The jigsaw learning technique is a quick and effective way for students to work with their peers while learning key vocabulary words. For this activity, each student is responsible for learning three new words and teaching those words to their group. Here’s how it works:

The teacher divides students into groups. Each student in the group is responsible for learning three new words in the chapter.

Each “word wizard” is instructed to write the definition of the word in his/her own words as well as draw an illustration of the word.

After each “word wizard” has completed their task, it is their job to come back to their group and teach their peers what they have learned.

Each group member can copy the new words that they learn from each member in their notebooks.

4. Concept Cube

A concept cube is a great strategy to employ word parts. Students receive a paper divided into six equal squares. On each of the squares students are instructed to write down one of the following:

Vocabulary word

Antonym

Synonym

Category it belongs to

Essential characteristics

Example

 

Students then cut, fold and tape the paper to make a cube. Then, with a partner, they roll their cube and must tell the relationship of the word that lands on top to the original vocabulary word.

5. Word connect

A Venn diagram is a great way for students to compare similarities and differences within words. It also provides students with new exposures to words, which helps them solidify what they have learned. For this activity, students are directed to connect two words that are written in the center of a Venn diagram. Their task is to connect the two words by writing down each word's definition on the Venn diagram, then explaining the reason for the connection.