When teaching vocabulary in TEFL, it is imperative to employ strategies that maximize retention and practical use. Key approaches include:
- Contextual Learning: Always introduce words within meaningful contexts to enhance understanding and recall.
- Repetition: Reinforce new vocabulary through repeated exposure in varied formats.
- Engaging Games: Use games tailored for vocabulary enhancement to make learning interactive and fun.
- Organization: Encourage students to maintain vocabulary journals or flashcards to regularly review and practice.
Harnessing these methods, TEFL teachers can ensure students not only learn but also effectively utilize new vocabulary both in and outside the classroom.
Table of Contents
Use pictures and other visuals
Use games to practice new vocabulary
Teach new words in context
One of the most beneficial strategies for helping students remember new language is teaching it in context. Simply listing new words on the board and expecting immediate comprehension might lead to disappointment. When introducing new vocabulary, it is advisable to group related words together rather than disconnected ones. Vocabulary lessons can be themed around subjects such as weather, occupations, sports, or anything else related to the target language. Stories incorporating the target language can also be an engaging way to learn and practice vocabulary across reading, writing, and speaking. Through straightforward yet efficient methods, you can progressively enhance your students' understanding of specific language areas.
Also read: What should I teach English beginners?
Frequent repetition is a must
While teachers' approaches to practicing new vocabulary may vary, repeated exposure to new words is universally recognized as crucial. Upon the introduction of new words, students should start practicing them aloud, both individually and as a group. The teacher can demonstrate the word or phrase to the class, have them collectively repeat it back, and then request individual repetition from randomly selected students. It is important to revisit this practice at the end of the class, during the lesson review, and in subsequent classes over the following days and weeks.
Use pictures and other visuals
As language learners are constantly presented with new information, it is important to facilitate maximum retention. Merely speaking new words and writing them on the board may suffice for short-term memory, but much of the information will be lost over time as more words are incorporated into their studies. One effective way to promote retention is to use pictures and other tangible objects when introducing new vocabulary in the classroom. For instance, the word 'tractor' is more likely to be remembered if first introduced with an interesting picture of the vehicle, rather than merely writing the word on the board. For enhanced understanding and retention, you should frequently revisit the new words, using the pictures, during future lessons.
Also read: What are the best books for teaching ESL?
Use games to practice new vocabulary
Whether you are teaching new vocabulary or other aspects of the English language, making the learning process fun significantly increases the chances of information retention. This principle certainly applies when introducing new vocabulary, as these can be quickly forgotten if not reinforced promptly. By using games to practice what has been learned, students are likely to be more engaged and more comfortable using the words aloud in front of their peers. If you can engage the class in a lively activity using the target language, they are far more likely to remember it in subsequent weeks than if they simply read it from a book.
Also read: Is grammar knowledge important when teaching English?
