TESOL Newsletter from Rennert: September-October

Here are some ideas to file away for when you start teaching. Teaching vocabulary is essential for all levels of learners. here are some really great, practical ideas for teaching vocabulary you can do with your class.

Expanding Vocabulary Activities

a Vocabulary Share Focusing on Classroom Application
Susanne Rizzo and Julie Hanks
University of Macau, English Language Centre
44th TESOL Conference, Boston, MA, USA, 2010

Noticing (Creative ways to include Vocabulary)
CONTENT
Classroom
1. Students read passage while listening and circle three words they do not know.
2. Skimming and scanning for content-related vocabulary (words related to topic).
3. Students look up unknown words from reading in the dictionary and match to reading meaning
4. Students look up words in the dictionary and use the word to write sentences about themselves (Morgan & Rinvolucri)
5. Give students a list of idioms and show pictures, having them match idiom to picture.
6. Guess meaning based on understanding of stem/root, prefix, suffix
7. Arrange students by vocabulary words - those in groups all have same word. Discuss meaning and have group explain to class. (Nation, 1994)
8. In groups, give students a word and different definitions. Have groups decide on correct definition.
9. Have students circle unknown vocabulary from reading. After they read, have them guess meaning from context clues.
10. Give students flashcards and have them place words in the correct order when listening to a text. (Coxhead)
11. Students do running dictation with vocabulary in sentence. When finished, guess meaning from context.

Independent Learning
1. Students read passage for homework, identify words they do not know, create class list
2. Students keep a vocabulary journal based on readings, TV, daily life, etc.
3. Students build vocabulary lists of specific words useful for their own studies. (Coxhead)
4. Have students rank words in order of what they think will be the most important for them.

Noticing (Creative ways to include Vocabulary)
FUNCTION
Classroom
1. Skimming and scanning for word function - i.e. parts of speech, prefixes/suffixes, targeted grammar
2. Have students notice patterns in word form tables and apply to vocabulary. (Schmitt & Schmitt)
3. Listen to a teacher-written monologue and have students write any phrasal verbs they notice. (Seymour & Popova)
4. Have students find collocations for specific vocabulary. (Coxhead)

Independent Learning
1. Students look at word list and rate words from 1-4: 1- don't know; 2-have seen but not sure of the meaning; 3-understand when I see or hear it in a sentence but don't know how to use in own speaking and writing and 4-know word and can use in own speaking and writing. (Schmitt & Schmitt)
2. Students look at list and identify word form.
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