Teaching Vocabulary

As we know, teaching vocabulary is really important for our students because that is the only way they can be more fluent and express their ideas correctly.
Learners usually start by noticing , then by reconigzing a word before they are able to produce it , so here I have four stages for new vocabulart acquisition:

The learner notices the new word (with help)

The learner learns to recognize it (with help)

The learner recognizes it on his/her own

The learner can both recognize and produce it.

Also, here I have ways to make vocabulary learning interesting for students:

Since students need to be motivated to learn vocabulary constantly, it is important that vocabulary review is as interesting as possible. Teachers can vary the types of exercises, strategies and activities. The visual element is equally important. Here are some of the activities I would like to use in my classroom.

Stage 1: Noticing the word: the visual element

• Flashcards
• Pictures

 

 Stage 2: Recognition

• True/false
• Categorize the words
• Matching. (this category is huge with both open and closed types of exercises)Matching the word to its definition, L1-L2, opposites, adjectives and nouns, verbs and adverbs, word to the picture, match two words that go together
• Multiple choice
• Drawing the word
• Bingo games
• Circle the word you hear

Stage 3: Production

• Dictation
• Answering questions
• Guessing games: I’m thinking of:
• Picture description
• Miming

Final Words: Points to consider

• Try to have as many success oriented activities that are geared to the age groups you teach.
• Gradually progress from one stage to another but vary the activities within each stage.
• Consider appealing to the various multiple intelligences. The visual element in learning is particular important – for all age groups but particularly important for younger children.

Reflection : 

I do really believe that teaching  vocabulary is really important for our studens by following this stages I have posted .I really like the way os using  flashcards to teach vocabulary to my students because then I would be able to make  games with them such as...''Matching pictures with names'' or ''guessing the name of the picture''  and so on, actually there are many ways guys, you and only you as  a  manager have to find the correct  way to teach them.

Grammar Activities

Grammar activities and games make learning of grammar fun for many students. Here is an example of a grammar activity.

The grammar race game

Preparation: 

1. The teacher needs to prepare two sets of cards: easy cards and harder ones. Examples of an easy card:

A. Add some or any: I like those roses; please give me…; what a pity there aren't... red ones!
B. Insert since or for: I haven't seen you ... three days.

Examples of a harder card:

A. Put the verb into the correct tense: Id rather you (pay) me now; suppose he (ask) me for the money tomorrow?
B. Complete: If I had known he was here,...

2. Make a grid like the following one on an OHP transparency, using different colors for the different players/teams:

Grid 1

You can make the grid any shape you want (round, hexagonal) and as big as you want, depending on the size of your class or the rime you want to devote to the game: the more squares, the more teams can play and the longer the game is.

How to play:

1. Each player/team throws the dice. The player/team with the highest number begins.
2. If you land on a square with the figure two on it you take an easy card. If you answer correctly you score two points; if you don't, you lose two points.
3. If you land on a square with the figure four on it you take a harder card. If you answer correctly you get four points but if your answer is not correct you lose four points.
4. If two players/teams land on the same square, the one that has been caught up with has to return to his/her starting point without answering any questions.
5. The first player/team home (the start square) gets eight extra points.
6. The player/team with the maximum number of points wins.

Reflection:

I strongly believe that games are a good way to make students learn and understand English grammar and also to make them remember the structure without think a lot because since they practice grammar in a fun way ;I mean, in a way they like (using games), it would be easier for them to understand and remember unconsciously the structure of any sentence because if they play grammar games ,they would have repeated and practiced a lot while during the game ;so that, instantly they would be able to talk using the grammar already learned when a person talks to him/ her.