HOW TO TEACH A NEW WORD
Here are some tips on how to teach a new word to your student.
For example you are teaching the word ‘vacation’.
Read the word and let the student
repeat. It’s important for the student to
STEP 1
get the correct pronunciation of the
word that he is learning so please teach
the correct pronunciation.
Make a sample sentence using the new
word. Make sure that the sample
sentence is easy to understand so that
the student will be able to make his own
sentences as well. However, you don’t
directly ask the student to make a
sentence. You must ask good and
STEP 2
relevant questions so that the student
will be able to make sentences using the
new word. If the student gives you
wrong sentences, you must explain the
word until the student understands the
usage of that word.
You should have a very short
conversation using the new word.
Relate the word to the student’s life.
Always remember that the best way to
STEP 3
memorize a word is to relate such word
to the person’s life. So please make sure
that the student will learn and master
the word before proceeding to the next
word.
Introduce 1-2 synonyms and antonyms
to widen the vocabulary of the student.
STEP 4
Teach the usage of the words as well
and don’t just read the word.
Teacher: Let’s study some new words and let’s start with
the word ‘vacation.’ Can you say that word again?
Student: Vacation. (Mispronounced it)
Teacher: One more time, please. ‘Vacation’
Student: Vacation. (Pronounced it correctly)
Teacher: Alright, that was perfect! So, do you understand the
word vacation?
Student: Yes, I do!
Teacher: That’s great! So let’s talk about our vacation. I had my
vacaion a few months ago. I went to the U.S.A to meet
my cousins whom I haven’t met for quite a long time.
What about you? When was the last time you had your
vacation?
Student: Ahm. Me last vacation was last week. I went to house of
parents in Beijing, China and celebrated my birthday.
Teacher: Belated happy birthday! That sounds cool.
However, it’s better to say, I had my vacation last week. I
went to my parents’ house in Beijing, China to celebrate
my birthday. Can you say that again? (Make sure you type
your corrections because you need to ask the student to
read the correct sentence.)
Student: I had my vacation last week. I went to my parents’ house
in Beijing, China to celebrate my birthday.
Teacher: Great job!
Student: Thank you, teacher!
Teacher: Alright, so if you were given a chance to have 1 week
vacation, where would you like to go and who would you
like to be with?
Student: Well, I would like to go to Paris, France and
witness the beauty of the Eiffel Tower and I would
definitely invite my fiancé to go there since it’s a very
romantic place.
Teacher: Wow!!! That sounds so sweet! I must say your fiancé is
very lucky to have you!
Student: I guess we are both lucky to be with one another so I
want to give her the best vacation someone could ever
imagine.
Teacher: You are indeed so romantic!
Student: Thank you!
Teacher: My pleasure! So, do you have any questions?
Student: No, I don’t.
Teacher: Well, let’s talk about some synonyms and antonyms of
the word ‘vacation’. The word vacation may also mean
leisure time. So, what do you do when you have some
leisure time?
Student: I spend my leisure time watching movies and surfing
the internet.
Teacher: Nice sentence! What about the antonym of the word
vacation? Work is the opposite of the word vacation. So,
how do you find your work?
Student: I can say that the kind of work that I have can provide for
my family so I’m happy with it.
Teacher: Glad to hear that! Well, I guess you really understood the
words. Well, then let’s proceed to the next word.