Memory Research

Eleven Principles for Learning Vocabulary (I)

q       The best way to remember new words is to incorporate them into language that is already known.

q       Organized material is easier to learn.

q       Words which are very similar should not be learned at the same time.

q       Word pairs (native word/English word) can be used to learn a great number of words in a short time

q       Knowing a word entails more than just knowing its meaning

(Schmitt, N. & Schmitt, D. Eleven Principles for Designing a Vocabulary Curriculum, 1995)             

Memory Research

Eleven Principles for Learning Vocabulary (2)

q        The deeper the mental processing used when learning a word, the more likely that a learner will remember it

q        The act of recalling a word makes it more likely that a learner will recall it again later

q        Learners must pay close attention to learn most effectively

q        Words need to be recycled to be learned

q        An efficient recycling method involves expanding rehearsal

q        Learners are individuals and have different learning styles

What are the different kinds of vocabulary in English?

Types of Vocabulary

o      Single words: chair

o      Phrasal verbs: put on

o      Short phrases: as a matter of fact

o      Longer phrases: it has come to my attention that…

o      idioms: out to lunch

What vocabulary should students learn?

General Service List

o      Published in 1953 by M. West

o      Consists of 2,000 words selected to be of the greatest "general service" to learners of English.

o      Each of the 2,000 words is a headword representing a word family

o      Frequency numbers are provided

What are the components of knowing a word? What does it mean to know a word?Knowing a Word

Activities for Learning Vocabulary: Form

Spoken

o         Pronunciation of the words

o         Reading aloud

Written

o         Spelling rules

o         Dictation

Word Parts

o         Completing word part charts

o         Subdividing complex words

o         Building up complex words

o         Choosing a correct form

Connecting Form-Meaning

o         Completing word form charts

o         Word-definition matching

o         Exploring meanings of phrases

o         Labeling/describing visuals

Adapted from Nation, I.S.P. (2001).  A range of activities for vocabulary learning. Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Pronunciation

o      Noun suffix: -ation, -tion

allocation                      instruction

cooperation                   presumption

migration                      transformation

transportation               direction

What is the word stress rule for these' suffixes?

Word Parts

The Longest Word in the English Language

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

o      pneumon = lungs              silico = silicon

     ultra = extremely               volcano = eruption

     micro = small                    coni = dust

     scopic = see                       osis = condition

Word Parts

o           The prefix trans- means across or changed. Match the verbs from the trans- column to the item that is moved or changed.

o          transfuse                   a. heart

o          transact                    b. book

o          translate                    c. business

o          transmit                    d. goods

o          transplant                  e. blood

o          transport                   f. electronic messages

Word Form Chart

Activities for Learning Vocabulary: Meaning

Concepts

o         Understanding different meanings of a word

o         Choosing the correct meaning

o         Analyzing semantic features

o         Asking/answering questions

Adapted from Nation, I.S.P. (2001).  A range of activities for vocabulary learning. Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Associations

o         Identifying substitute words

o         Explaining connections/associations

o         Making word/concept maps

o         Classifying words

o         Finding antonyms

o         Discussing cause and effect

o         Finding examples

Meaning: Dictionary Skills

True/False statements

o            Abstract artists paint pictures of people who look real.

o            The word abstract may be a verb, a noun, or an adjective

o            An abstracted person probably has something on his or her mind.

o            Academic journal articles are usually preceded by an abstract

o            The word ‘table’ is an example of an abstract noun.

o            The verb abstract can be followed by a direct object

o            An abstract idea is more specific than a concrete plan.

o            The word abstracted has four syllables

o            The suffix of abstraction shows that the word is a verb

o            Abstractedly is the adverb form of the adjective abstract.