Table of contents introduction Chapter I: Vocabulary as a base of acquiring language skills

1.3. Ways of student`s enlarging vocabulary base


What helps to remember words?
I would like to offer a few principles in this subchapter that can help to move the required word into permanent long-term memory. I made an extract from Thornbury’s summary of the principles that were found out by researches:²⁰
1) Repetition – only repetition has not any long-term effect; but there is one exception - the repetition of encounters with a word. If words have been met at least for seven times over spaced intervals, for example, when reading, they are on good way to long-term memory.
2) Retrieval practice effect – a kind of repetition that means the retrieval of word from memory, which helps the learner to recall it again later.
3) Spacing – means not to teach too many vocabulary items together but in small groups and with pauses between them.
4) Pacing – means to provide the pupils enough time for particular work because each of them has his or her own pace and to enable them to work silently and individually.
5) Use – means to put words to use in some interesting way.
Students should be encouraged to notice how certain words perform in different contexts, preferably at the level of a text or paragraph. Words don’t exist in isolation. Students’ dependence on their first language in clarifying the meaning of English words should be diplomatically discouraged. Understanding the meaning of a certain word in context can often be prevented by word-for-word translation. Therefore, where possible they should use a monolingual (English-English) instead of a bilingual dictionary. Students should be encouraged to guess the meaning of unknown words where possible and to deduce the principles of vocabulary use in English on their own. This develops their awareness of how words work in context. Spoon-feeding meanings doesn’t usually help.

- What do you need to keep in mind when developing vocabulary activities for your classes?

- vocabulary should be taught in context, not as isolated words;
- vocabulary should be taught through English, avoiding word-for-word translation into mother tongue;
- learners should be encouraged to work out the meaning of the unknown words;
- there is a difference between active and passive vocabulary;
- learners should be encouraged to analyze words and word combinations in a text.
Memorizing new words is a huge part of learning a new language and yet it seems to be so difficult to accomplish. Today, we want to share some fun tips with you that learning new vocabulary becomes easier and more enjoyable. We also want your input: tell us in the comments` section below your favorite ways to memorize words.
1) Read – this is an essential activity because reading is the best way to be exposed to a rich and wide vocabulary.
Remember: you can read whatever you want you can read literature books if that is what you enjoy, but if you don`t, try reading a comic book or a magazine. You can buy a cook book and read that, or read a children`s book to your kids. There are thousands of articles online, news websites…. the options are endless. So find something that you like and read it. Reading is an easy, fun and relaxing way to boost your language skills. Plus, you will be learning about other things as well win, win!
2) Understanding context: so, you have learned many new words, but if you do not know how and when to use them correctly, you have not truly learned. This is also why reading is so important because it gives each word context, and that will help you understand the meaning and use of the word. For example, in the sentence “the soup is horrible, it tastes so bitter” you might not understand the word “bitter”, but thanks to the context of the whole sentences, you will know it means “not good”. Context helps us comprehend when a word is used in formal language or informal language, if it is slang we use with friends, or if it is a word that is usually used in written English but not in conversation.
3) Related words – if you just learned the word “care”, don`t stop there. Use a dictionary or the internet to find derivatives of that word, and expressions that use it. For example, careful, careless, carefree, take care. See? you started with one word but quickly learned four more, and because their meaning is related, it is easier to understand and remember what each one means.
4) Make sentences – making sentences helps us put everything we have learned into action: so you have learned new words and you understand when to use it. But for the brain to remember this word in the future, the best way to memorize is by using it.
Make 10 sentences that use different meanings of the word you want to learn or if it is a verb, with different tenses. For example, if you want to remember the phrasal verb “to tidy up”, write:

• 
  Maria you must tidy your room up.
  
• 
  I have to tidy up before my friends come.
  
• 
  Paul will watch TV after he finishes tidying up the kitchen.
  

Ever heard Benjamin Franklin`s quote, “Tell me and I forget teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn?” Well by making sentence you are helping your brain to learn because it gets actively involved in the learn process.
5) Record yourself - by hearing your own voice say the words out loud and feeling your mouth move, you are making even more connections in your brain. If you studied English in the past but have not practiced it for a long time, you might know the words but find it hard to remember them. Yet, once you start speaking, it becomes easier to access those words when you need them.
So, use a camera, your phone or your webcam to record yourself practicing your new vocabulary words and using them in the sentence you made.
6) Make flashcards - flashcards are popular way of learning words. You can also use post-it notes and put them in places where you will see them regularly, or draw the definition of the word if you are a visual learner. Every day, take out your flashcards and read over them. Read the word and try to remember what it means before checking the drawing or definition behind it.
7) Mnemonics – Mnemonics are ways to help us remember things better. A great online recourse for mnemonics is the mnemonicdictionary.com; you can type in the words you want to remember and you will see many different ways to help you memorize.
8) Take notes - a great little trick is to always carry around a note-book and pencil. Then, if you hear a word or sentence you like in a movie or a song, you can write it down. When you get home you can research it and add it to the list of words you have learned.
9) Play games – when you are having fun it`s so much easier to learn. So play games like boggle or scrabble. These games will test your creativity and make you think outside the box.
10) Speaking – in the 5^th, we explained how recording yourself helps your brain remember words better. So, what better way to do this than to talk with a friend? If you do not have any native English speaking friends, don`t worry! Just invite another friend who wants to learn English out for a cup of tea and practice.
To get the most out of these conversations, we suggest that each week you choose a different topic. This way you will be using different vocabulary. Make sure to spend an hour or two to make a list of words you would like to use before meeting your friend.
11) Repeat – As Spanish people say “repetition is the key to success”. It`s true. To learn anything you must repeat and repeat! Every day, set aside some time to study vocabulary. It doesn`t matter how you do it, but it is important that you practice a little daily. This will create a good habit.
12) Be patient – And finally: be kind and be patient with yourself. Learning English is a big accomplishment, and you should be very proud of yourself each time you learn a new word.
Each year the International Reading Association surveys literacy leaders from around the world regarding “what’s hot” and “what’s not” in literacy.²¹ Year after year vocabulary has been rated “not hot.” Yet over 75% of those surveyed think it “should be hot”. We agree, and the fact that you are reading this means that you probably do, too. Research suggests that vocabulary is enormously important to children’s development, especially in reading. Research clearly indicates that children with larger vocabularies have higher school achievement in general and higher reading achievement in particular. Fortunately, a child’s vocabulary is not predestined. Rather, teachers can have a real impact on children’s vocabulary knowledge. Research shows that teachers can do things that significantly increase children’s vocabularies and by doing so children’s reading comprehension will also improve.²²
Studies indicate that children do learn words from books read aloud to them. Most helpful will be reading aloud books and other materials (such as magazines or environmental print) that have some, but not too many, words that are new to children. Read-aloud of storybooks is important, but also important is read-aloud of other types of text, such as information book. Some research even suggests that teachers and parents highlight vocabulary more when reading aloud information books than when reading aloud stories.