how to teach vocabulary to advanced students

Qingdaoman · Post by **Qingdaoman** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:29 am

Dear friends, my students have already had a good command of English grammar, but their vocabulary is not large enough. So I want them to build up a large vocabulary within a short period of time. I want to do it interestingly. I do not want to bore them. Would you please give me some suggestions and "good ways"? I would appreciate it very much.

EH · Post by EH » Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:35 pm

First figure out why they would want bigger vocabularies in the first place. Is it to pass a test? To succeed at work? To enjoy reading English novels? To impress their friends? The reason for the vocab increase will determine the way in which the vocab is taught. Figure out the context in which with vocab will be used, then pick words appropriate to that situation. I find that 10 words per day is an absolute maximum (and when I'm a student, I prefer more like 3 per day...). Then use the words in context in class. Have situation-specific dialogues. Ask lots of questions that either include the words or require the words in the answer. Have students write dialogues, stories, cartoon captions, etc. using the words. Words usually have to be used in at least 4 separate contexts before they are remembered at all. So have the students use the vocab words frequently.

Good luck.
-EH