Language and communication
How can teachers teach new vocabulary effectively?
Direct answer
Introduce useful words in a meaningful context, explain them clearly and create repeated opportunities to hear and use them. Connect words with objects, actions, examples and discussion. A copied definition alone may not establish understanding.
What this means in practice
Select vocabulary that supports the lesson and check learners can use it. Revisit the words in different tasks instead of introducing too many at once. Learners using another home language may benefit from making links with words they already know.
Practical next steps
- Explain the word through an example.
- Model it in a sentence.
- Revisit it through talk and activity.
Illustrative example
In a lesson about materials, show what flexible means and ask learners to explain which objects fit the description.
What to keep in mind
Watch for learners repeating a word accurately without understanding its meaning.
Sources and further reading
The sources inform the explanation. Practical examples are educational illustrations, not individual clinical advice. How these answers are prepared.
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