Introduction
This module begins with a discussion of how the teaching of vocabulary has developed over recent years. The principle of simplification is introduced, and practical activities to help teachers grade vocabulary for learners are given. The module investigates teaching methods designed for form-focused and meaning-focused work, and presents examples from published material for language learners. It looks at how the lexical approach to the teaching of languages was developed, and how this can be implemented in the classroom.
The module goes on to discuss lessons from vocabulary acquisition research that have relevance for teachers. The use of dictionaries is mentioned, and there is an examination of the exploitation of concordances in teaching vocabulary.
Aspects of 'knowledge of a word' are explored, and ways of teaching them are discussed, with examples from published vocabulary exercises and from extracts of teacher-student interaction in the classroom. Methods of presenting vocabulary, both in and out of context, are introduced, together with activities for practising and reviewing vocabulary. There is also an extensive bank of teaching ideas to help teachers see how the ideas presented in the module can be translated into practice at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Before you start on this module, indicate which of the following statements you agree with ( A), which you disagree with (D ) and which you are not sure about (NS ). Assume that you are teaching a group of learners at intermediate to advanced level:
| 1 | I think the best way to get across the meaning of a new word is to translate it into the students' own language. | |
| 2 | I think I
need to distinguish in my teaching between a) vocabulary that students need to produce in their own speech and writing, and b) vocabulary that students need only to understand and recognize. |
|
| 3 | I don't think it's a good idea to allow students to use dictionaries in class. | |
| 4 | I think new vocabulary is best presented in the context of a reading or listening text. | |
| 5 | I think it's good for students to keep a vocabulary notebook and update it regularly. | |
| 6 | I think vocabulary games are a useful way to review what has been taught |
