Vocabulary is a vital foundation for learners’ future success. Unfortunately, learning vocabulary is not always as enjoyable, engaging, or even easy for students. What exactly is involved in vocabulary acquisition and usage? Let’s look at these ‘steps’, and at practical and enjoyable activities which can be used in the classroom to make this stage of your lesson not just FUN but memorable.
Read on for a summary of my webinar, part of the Catch Up FUN series, and to watch the recording.
Vocabulary activity 1: acquisition
It is important to recognise that young learners are still developing their cognitive ability in their own language. This impacts their ability to comprehend, process and produce target language.Focus on useful words and strategies to help learners figure out meanings on their own. What exactly is a useful word? Well, primarily it is vocabulary which learners will be able to use and is relevant to their lives, as well as high frequency words which they will encounter on a regular basis.
We can focus on a few methods to introduce vocabulary. Using visuals such as objects, puppets/cut-out figures are all useful. Gestures or miming are also great methods to introduce new language in the classroom. As learners progress, vocabulary needs to be strengthened and recycled to build recognition and understanding. And as learners develop cognitively, we can start to introduce strategies like guessing meaning, noticing patterns, links to similar words and deepening word knowledge.
Learners need context and the ability to learn from context to have a better understanding of vocabulary. Learners often begin using words prior to having a full understanding of their meaning. So, by providing context, we can assist them in having a deeper understanding.
Vocabulary activity 2: visuals and flashcards
Young learners benefit from the use of rich visuals to stimulate the learning process. Imagination captivates the mind and generates interest in topics.
Reveal the flashcards, quickly or slowly, and place them on the board to present. Then, slowly turn them around and point to where they were, helping learners to build vocabulary and fix images in their memory. A classic is board-swatting; putting the flashcards on the board and getting learners into two teams, competing to swat the called-out vocabulary items.
Vocabulary activity 3: F-O-R-M
Getting learners to notice and build awareness of spelling is vital for building literacy. For example, in the exercise below, we read the first half of the first word (post) and ask learners to find the second half in the coloured boxes (-er).
Write the full word on the board (poster). In pairs, ask learners to identify and write the other four halves. Make this more challenging by only providing jumbled letters, or easier by providing a visual reference.
Vocabulary activity 4: p,p, pronunciation
Do not forget that drilling helps learners develop pronunciation and intonation skills, as well as building their confidence to produce the language independently. This can be done with an element of fun. Have learners repeat the target language in either whispers and low voices and then change to louder voices. Less confident learners respond well to the whispering drill and can build their confidence from there.
Vocabulary activity 5: recycle, recycle, recycle!
If you don’t use it, you lose it. It is crucial for learners to have vocabulary recycled at appropriate intervals, in a variety of activities. This not only refreshes memories but allows learners to build up additional connections between words. Utilise worksheets, review units and games to strengthen and consolidate understanding.
For more ideas on using these stories and others with your students, catch up on Nick’s webinar (below) in our Catch Up FUN series: