How can I teach vocabulary in the English Classroom?

Teaching vocabulary
Goal: To provide some ideas to the the English Language Teachers regarding different ways of teaching vocabulary in the classroom. What is vocabulary? V o c a b u l ar y i s a l l t h e words we teach the students to create new l a n g u a g e .

There are two ways of presenting vocabulary

The teacher shows the students a text which contains the new words to teach. (The words might be transparent or the teacher can draw or use pictures to point to them as he/she reads). Example: This is Fred. He has short black hair, strong arms and big hands. While the teacher reads the text he points to every body part the text mentions in order to convey meaning.

Whithin a context.

In isolation The teacher presents a picture or a series of pictures showing vocabulary he will use before introducing the topic. arm Example: The teacher shows a picture to the students and he points to every body part he wants the students to memorize.
head

neck

hand leg

These are some other examples of teaching vocabulary

Realia. One way of teaching vocabulalry is by taking real objects to the classroom or using the ones the teacher has in it. Example: a chair, a board, a pen, a ball, etc.

These are some other examples of teaching vocabulary*

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Pictures. Pictures are usually a big help for teachers anytime you can not take big objects or things to the classroom.
Pictures can be board drawings, wall pictures, charts flashcards etc.

These are some other examples of teaching vocabulary*

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Mime, action and gesture. It is often to explain the meaning of words and grammar either through the use of realia or pictures.

Actions like running, walking or smoking are easier to explain by acting the words.

These are some other examples of teaching vocabulary*

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Contrast. It is often to explain the meaning of words by showing an opposite word. Example:

Fat

thin tall short

fast

slow

These are some other examples of teaching vocabulary*

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Enumeration: Words can be explained by enumerating or listing various items. Example: Vegetables: broccolli, tomato, calabash, cucumber

Clothes: Shoes, jacket, jeans.

These are some other examples of teaching vocabulary*

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Explanantion: Explaining the meaning of vocabulary items can be very difficult, especially at the beginners or elementary levels.

Anytime you introduce a new word to the students make sure you are teaching the following
The

What should I teach anytime I introduce a new word?

meaning The sound The written word.

When you teach the word chair it is easier for the students if you pronounce the word to them and show them at the same time the object or a picture of it so that the students can get the meaning immediately. Then you can say you are teaching meaning and sound. If you write the word under the picture or at the back of it then you will provide the studentents the written form of the word.

Teaching meaning, sound and the written word.

chair