We all know that learning a new language requires vocabulary instruction, but what is the best approach to new vocabulary for ESL students? Which words should we teach? Which words are the most important? And how can we help students retain the academic vocabulary we teach them? I address these questions in today’s episode.
People say that it takes learning a word seven times in different contexts for that word to become part of your vocabulary. While watching a foreign movie, I experienced for myself the profound effect that repetition of new words can have on becoming familiar with the melody and patterns of the language you are learning. English Learners need us to build that repetition of academic vocabulary in different contexts and modalities into our lessons because they will likely not be exposed to these specific words outside of the classroom setting.
There are simple ways teachers can intentionally incorporate content vocabulary for ESL students before, during, and after an activity that will greatly improve their ability to understand the lesson and retain the vocabulary. I share a few of my favorite tools and activities as well as two well researched frameworks for introducing new words to your students that will take your vocabulary instruction to the next level.
Here is what you’ll hear about vocabulary instruction
- 3 effective tools you can use to use to teach new vocabulary for ESL students
- 2 research-based frameworks for vocabulary instruction that have been proven to increase the retention of academic vocabulary
- Ways to intentionally incorporate repetition and visual representations of new academic vocabulary into your lessons to support student learning
- Ideas for differentiating vocabulary instruction for students at different proficiency levels
Useful resources
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
Reminder – 10% of the proceeds from my sales in March 2022 will be donated to Unicef to benefit the people of Ukraine.
You may also be interested in:
- Teaching Absolute Beginners: An ESL Teacher’s Handbook
- 25 Authentic Speaking Activities for Your ESL Classroom
- 3 Tips That Will Rock Your ESL Vocabulary Instruction
- Dr. Maria Calderon’s 7 Steps to Vocabulary Pre-teaching
- Marzano’s Six-Step Process for Teaching Vocabulary
- Pixabay
- A Speaking Game That Will Captivate Your ESL Students
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