How can we help our ESL students remember words?

[Sally Olsen]

I thoroughly agree with teaching by association, visually, with a great deal of auditory input (personal tapes, taping, subtitles on visual material), using relevant material and scaffolding.

However, I am 67 years old so was brought up on rote learning. I still remember my times table, several really long poems, Bible verses, and my Spanish which was learned with those little cards. There is probably a point in rote learning where it transfers to long term learning because it is useful or makes sense or is used. I think we need more research on rote learning before we condemn it. After all millions of people learned successfully this way.

But of course, I couldn't stand just to teach this way.

What I notice about long term learning is that older people can sing a song they learned long after they are able to remember their name. Music seems to be a deep seated way to learn.