Vocabulary development is crucial for academic success and overall communication skills. In secondary school classrooms, where the complexity of the curriculum increases, having a robust vocabulary can significantly impact students’ understanding and ability to access a curriculum independently. Teachers can use many strategies to support vocabulary teaching, such as using visuals, pictures, symbols, gestures, and interleaving new words with familiar ones. Let’s explore these methods in detail.
Use Visual Aids
Visual aids are powerful tools in vocabulary teaching.
Pictures and Symbols Integrating pictures and symbols into lessons helps make abstract concepts more concrete and memorable. For example, when introducing the word “photosynthesis,” a diagram of the process can aid comprehension and retention.
Flashcards Flashcards or Word Walls with images and written words can be used for quick review sessions. They are effective for reinforcing vocabulary, we need to revisit vocabulary repetitively to have the best chance of remembering it.
Graphic Organisers Tools like mind maps and word webs visually display the relationships between new words and concepts, helping students understand and remember them better.
Interactive Whiteboards Using interactive whiteboards to display images, videos, and diagrams can create an interactive learning environment that keeps students engaged.
Incorporate Gestures
Gestures are a great way to reinforce the meaning of new words. They add a visual dimension to learning, which can aid memory.
Copying Actions When teaching action words, have students act out the verbs. For example, when learning the word “examine,” students can mimic the action of looking closely at an object. Have some fun with it – the students are usually better at thinking of the actions as adults are!
Makaton Signs If you know Makaton, this is a great opportunity to embed it into your teaching for key vocabulary words, as it can provide a visual and kinaesthetic link to the words, enhancing recall. However, if you don’t know Makaton, then actions are great too!
Interleave New Words with Familiar Words
Interleaving is a technique that involves mixing new vocabulary words with words that students already know. This method helps in reinforcing new words by placing them in a familiar context.
Contextual Sentences Use sentences that combine new vocabulary with previously learned words. For instance, if students know the word “oxygen,” a sentence like “Photosynthesis helps plants grow, giving them oxygen” introduces “photosynthesis” in a familiar context.
Thematic Units Organise vocabulary lessons around themes or topics. This way, new words are introduced in a related context, making it easier for students to grasp and remember them.
Word Webs Teaching words by plotting them onto a physical word web on the board can help students make associations between the new word being taught and the words they already know.
Conclusion
Supporting vocabulary teaching in secondary school classrooms involves a variety of strategies that cater to different learning styles. By using visuals, gestures, and interleaving new words with familiar ones, teachers can ensure that every student has the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and thrive.
