To remember a new word, a learner needs to encounter it 7 to 16 times. Here are six techniques that make those encounters useful: context, relevance, examples, games, repetition and learner autonomy.
1. Create context
An isolated word on the board does not show learners how to use it in a sentence or what it actually means. When introducing new vocabulary, use short stories, dialogues, audio recordings, texts or videos. This lets learners work out the meaning for themselves and see how the word is used in real life.
How to do it in class
- Present new words in a short story, dialogue, audio recording, text or video.
- Ask learners to work out the meaning from the context.
- Discuss how the words are used in real life.
2. Consider relevance
Draw attention to a word’s emotional colouring and the context in which it is used. For example, dude and ain’t would be out of place in a formal letter, while well-known pop stars usually want to be famous rather than notorious.
How to do it in class
- Compare words with different emotional colouring.
- Show the context in which each word is appropriate.
- Work through the examples dude, ain’t, famous and notorious.
3. Use plenty of examples
The more sentences containing a new word you show learners, the easier it is for them to understand its nuances of meaning, patterns of use and emotional tone. Examples can be found in the teacher’s book or workbook, as well as on Google or in thesauruses such as Just-the-word.
How to do it in class
- Show learners several sentences containing each new word.
- Look for examples in the teacher’s book or workbook.
- Use Google or the Just-the-word thesaurus when needed.
4. Play games
Once learners have worked out the meaning, use and pronunciation of the words, it is time to play vocabulary games. Quizlet.live, testing each other and creating a wonderfully strange story with all the lesson phrases will help learners remember the vocabulary and immediately practise using it in their own speech.
How to do it in class
- Move to a vocabulary game after working on meaning, use and pronunciation.
- Compete on Quizlet.live or test each other.
- Create a wonderfully strange story using all the phrases learnt in the lesson.
5. Repeat, repeat, repeat
Everything that is not used fades away, and words are no exception. Add spaced repetition to the lesson plan: recalling learned material at set intervals helps retrieve information just as you begin to forget it.
How to do it in class
- Add the names of the topics you are studying to your calendar in advance.
- Arrange for each topic to be repeated after a day or two, then after a week, two weeks, a month and several months.
- Check the plan before the lesson to see which words to revise that day.
6. Encourage autonomy
The sooner learners get used to finding interesting expressions independently, the more words they will learn. Ask them to note unusual collocations from films, articles and social media comments, then use this material in lessons.
How to do it in class
- Ask learners to share their finds and explain the meanings of new words to one another.
- Create a shared online vocabulary bank in Padlet.
- Invite learners to add new expressions from the week, comment on classmates’ contributions and share examples.
Courses for teachers at IH Kyiv
More practical techniques for your lessons — on the CELTA course at IH Kyiv.
