TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Matter and Method

in Teaching Vocabulary

Rachelle M. Dela Cruz

MAELT Student
First Semester 2020-2021

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Vocabulary

 all the words known and used by a particular person (Cambridge

Dictionary, n.d.)

 refers to the knowledge of words as well as the meaning of words

(Diamond & Gutlohn, 2006)

Vocabulary knowledge is more than just citing the definition of a

word.  It requires that the reader use the word appropriately based
upon a given context. 

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Why Vocabulary Matters

1. It improves reading comprehension.
Improves all areas of
2. It is important to language development.
3. Without sufficient vocabulary, learners cannot understand others or express their
communication — listening,
own ideas.
• Wilkins (1972) wrote that “…while without grammar very little can be

speaking, reading, and writing.

conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed”.
4. It improves writing and speaking skills.

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

What Learners Need to Know

1. Meaning of a word
2. Spelling and pronunciation of a word
3. Form of a word
4. Usage of a word
5. How a word is related to others
6. Collocation

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Receptive Vocabulary vs.

Productive Vocabulary

Receptive Productive
Vocabulary Vocabulary

 means the capability to  means the knowledge to

comprehend a word when the produce a word when the
learner hear or see it. learner use it in writing or
speech.
 is learned through reading  is learned through writing
and listening. and speaking.
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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Low Frequency Vocabulary vs.

High Frequency Vocabulary

Low Frequency Vocabulary High Frequency Vocabulary

 words that are seldom or not  words that are frequently or
commonly used in daily speech. commonly used in daily speech.
Examples: thine your
dale hill
kith friend
ire rage
gloaming evening

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

3 Tiers of Vocabulary Instruction

Specialized
Words
economics,
ecosystem,
geometric
High Utility Words
masterpiece, fortunate, industrious, priority

Basic Words
book, girl, dog, happy, run

Source: Beck, McKowen & Kucan (2013)

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Methods in Teaching Vocabulary

Pre-Teach
 Pre-teach vocabulary words before student reads.
 Preview reading material for unfamiliar words or terms.
 Define and discuss new words to build understanding.

Background Knowledge
 Teacher introduces new vocabulary, terms, definitions, or concepts.
 Teacher asks learners to share prior knowledge during whole class discussion.
 This prepares learners for new learning.
 Learners can relate new information to personal experience.
Source: American TESOL Institute (2014)

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Methods in Teaching Vocabulary

Word Maps
 Learners scan reading material to find unfamiliar words.
 Learners create graphic organizer.
 New word is placed at top or center of map.
 Branching off word may be examples, qualities, or classification.

Context Clues
 Words may also be defined within a text.
 Context Clues such as the following are used to learn meaning while reading.
 COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis of our time.
 Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are part of the solar system.
 Expecting that his license would be renewed, the jeepney driver was surprised when it was revoked instead.
 This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read at two and another could do
algebra at six.
 Because of his sage advice, I solved my problems. He is intelligent. Source: American TESOL Institute (2014)

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Methods in Teaching Vocabulary

Word Level Analysis
• Examine the word for prefixes, suffixes, and/or root words.
1. Prefix
mis- wrong misplace, misbehave, mismatch
re- again replay, resend, replace
un- not unclear, unsure, uncover
pre- before prefix, preview, pretest
sub- below substandard, subway, submarine

2. Suffix
-er one who teacher, fisher, worker
-ful full of wonderful, careful, painful
-less without sleepless, useless, helpless
-ness state of being happiness, highness, weakness
-al pertaining to national, critical, fictional

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Methods in Teaching Vocabulary

Word Level Analysis
• Examine the word for prefixes, suffixes, and/or root words.
3. Root Word
geo earth geology, geologist geography,
port carry portable, export, tranport
kilo thousand kilogram, kilometer, kiloliter
mega large megastore, megabyte, megamall
therm heat thermal, thermometer, endothermic

Cognates
• Cognates are words that are similar in students’ native language and English.
• Teaching cognates is a way to relate words in English to the students’ first language
Examples: possible – posible
individual – indibidwal
radio – radio
nars – nurse
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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Techniques in Teaching and Learning Vocabulary

2. Auditory Techniques
1. Visual Techniques
Examples:
Examples: • Sounds from everyday life and nature
• Realia • Poems, nursery rhymes:
• Pictures • Soundtracks
• Films, videos, TV programmes • Computer-Based materials
• Facial expressions and body language • Songs
• Crossword Puzzles
3. Verbal Techniques
• Board Games, Scrabble
Examples:
• Card Games • Games
• Definition
• Computer-Based Technology • Synonyms • A Word a Day (AWAD)
• Mime • Antonyms • Riddles
• Demonstration • Examples • Dictionary
• Acting out • Cognates Source: Akar (2010)

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Let’s try!
Instructions: Letters A to H describe the different methods of getting the meaning of words across.
Choose the best method for each word. Type the letter of your answer in our chat box.
Words Methods
1. hop (v.) A. Showing learners realia or physical object
2. exhausted (adj.) B. Doing a mime or action
3. kiwifruit (n.) C. Defining the word
4. bitter (adj.) D. Giving the antonym
5. imitate (v.) E. Using a cline or diagram
6. skyscraper (n.) F. Using a picture
7. rarely (adv.) G.Telling a short, personal story
8. viability (n.) H. Asking the learners to use context clue

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Let’s try!
Instructions: Letters A to H describe the different methods of getting the meaning of words
across. Choose the best method for each word. Type the letter of your answer in our chat box.

Answers Words Methods

1. B 1. hop (v.) Doing a mime or action
2. G 2. exhausted (adj.) Telling a short, personal story
3. A
3. kiwifruit (n.) Showing learners realia or physical object
4. D
4. bitter (adj.) Giving the antonym
5. C
5. imitate (v.) Defining the word
6. F
6. skyscraper (n.) Using a picture
7. E
8. H
7. rarely (adv.) Using a cline or diagram
8. viability (n.) Asking the learners to use context clue

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

Conclusion

• Vocabulary is important in learning to speak, listen, read, and write

English.
• Repetition and multiple exposures to vocabulary items through
various contexts help learners store new vocabulary items in their
long-term memory.
• Teachers can help learners master new words in a variety of ways.

#VocabularyMatters

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 TESL 601: Approaches to the Teaching of English as a Second Language

References:
Akar, N. (2010). Teaching Vocabulary: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice pdf file.
American TESOL Institute. (2014). Helping ESL Students Learn Vocabulary. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/tesol/teaching-vocabulary-39322758
Beck, I., McKowen, M. & Kucan, L. (2013). Iabel Beck’s Three Tier Model of Vocabulary. Academic Literacy and
Language. http://academicliteracy.wordpres.com/2016/06/11/the-three-tier-model-of-vocabulary-words/amp
Cambridge University Pres. (n.d.) Vocabulary. In Cambridge dictionary.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vocabulary
Diamond, L. & Gutlohn, L. (2006). Teaching Vocabulary. Reading Rockets.
https://www.readingrockets.org/article/teaching-
vocabulary#:~:text=Vocabulary%20is%20the%20knowledge%20of%20words%20and%20
word%20meanings.&text=instruction%20in%20specific%20words%20to,to%20motivate%
20and%20enhance%20learning
Sever, U. (2014). Vocabulary Teaching. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/UgurSeverr/vocabulary-teaching-43045238

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