Vocabulary Development Techniques for English Language Learners
Vocabulary is essential to communication and comprehension in any language. For English Language Learners (ELLs), knowing a word involves more than memorizing definitions and translations—it means understanding its spelling, pronunciation, and use in context. This article offers strategies for ELD teachers to help students build vocabulary sustainably, encouraging them to keep a “vocabulary notebook” and read a book at their level to make vocabulary learning a lifelong habit.
What Does it Mean to “Know a Word”?
Knowing a word involves understanding its form, meaning, and use. Key elements include:
· Word Parts: Recognizing base words, prefixes, and suffixes helps students build word families and understand relationships.
· Form and Meaning: Knowing a word’s spelling, pronunciation, and meaning aids comprehension and accurate use.
· Multiple Meanings and Homonyms: Many English words have multiple meanings. It’s essential to recognize homographs (same spelling, different meanings and pronunciations, like wind as in breeze and wind as in turning) and homophones (same sound, different spellings and meanings, like to, too, and two).
· Associations and Categories: Words are easier to remember when connected to themes, like “school” or “weather.”
· Grammatical Function: Identifying if a word is a content word (e.g., table) or function word (e.g., the) clarifies its role in sentences. Recognizing how a word’s part of speech can change based on context is also essential.
· Multiword Units: Phrases like collocations, phrasal verbs, and idioms enhance natural, fluent expression.
Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary Development
Here are strategies for teaching each aspect of “knowing a word” in engaging ways.
1. Word Parts (Prefixes, Suffixes, Base Words):
- Building Word Families: Start with a base word (e.g., act) and add prefixes and suffixes to form related words (react, active, action).
- Flashcards for Prefixes and Suffixes: Use flashcards to introduce common prefixes (e.g., un- in unhappy) and suffixes (e.g., -ful in joyful), showing how they alter meanings.
2. Form and Meaning (Spelling, Pronunciation, Concepts):
- Spelling and Pronunciation Practice: Teach students to use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for challenging words.
- Concept Mapping: Use visual aids, like a mind map for tree that branches to related words like roots, leaves, and forest.
3. Multiple Meanings and Homonyms:
- Contextual Examples: Show how the same word can have different meanings depending on context, such as bank as a financial institution versus the edge of a river.
- Homonym Matching Game: Use matching activities to help students distinguish between homophones and homographs.
4. Associations and Categories:
- Theme-Based Word Lists: Organize words by themes (e.g., “weather” with rain, cloud, storm) to make connections easier.
- Personalized Word Banks: Encourage students to make word lists based on their interests, like travel or hobbies, for relevance.
5. Grammatical Function (Content and Function Words):
- Content vs. Function Exercises: Have students identify content words (nouns, verbs) and function words (articles, prepositions) in sentences.
- Part of Speech Practice: Color-coding or sentence-building exercises help students see how words function grammatically.
6. Multiword Units (Collocations, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms):
- Collocation Charts: Create charts of common collocations (e.g., make a decision, take a break) and have students practice these pairs in sentences.
- Phrasal Verbs in Context: Introduce phrasal verbs (e.g., pick up, turn down) with examples to emphasize conversational use.
- Idioms in Context: Teach idioms, explain meanings, and practice with role-play to make them memorable.
7. Word Knowledge in Context (Writing, Speaking, Reading, Listening):
- Vocabulary Notebook Practice: Encourage students to log new words, definitions, pronunciations, and example sentences.
- Intentional Reading: Have students choose a leveled book for daily or weekly reading sessions, setting a timer for 20 minutes. When encountering unfamiliar words, they can record and review them in their notebook.
- Audio Recording Practice: Encourage students to record themselves saying new words aloud and using each in a sentence. Listening back helps them check pronunciation and fluency. (Tip: For a streamlined approach, students can use tools like Google Keep to create an electronic vocabulary notebook with audio recording features, keeping all practice in one place and making it interactive.)
Benefits of Teaching Vocabulary as an Ongoing Process
Making vocabulary practice a regular habit offers key benefits:
- Improved Comprehension and Retention: Understanding each part of a word enhances memory and confidence.
- Increased Engagement: An electronic vocabulary notebook with audio recordings, combined with a reading project, gives students ownership and motivation.
- Lifelong Habit Formation: Like brushing teeth, consistent vocabulary study fosters a sustainable practice.
Conclusion
Vocabulary development is a gradual, lifelong journey. Helping students understand a word’s parts, meanings, uses, and grammatical roles empowers them to approach new words confidently. Regular vocabulary study through a designated notebook and reading book fosters a meaningful habit, building language skills and a love for learning words, one step at a time.
Resources:
Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press.
Richards, J. C. (1976). The role of vocabulary teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 10(1), 77-89.
Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press.
