TESL 0130 Unit 3 Reflection

(Source: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/how-to-teach-vocabulary-esl/ )

This unit was about the reading and vocabulary. It is very important that learners have access to appropriate resources and tools so that they can acquire new words and learn to use it. Learning the vocabulary seems to be a simple process as a person just needs to memorize the word but it is actually a complex process. A leaner needs to know the meaning of the word, its usage, pronunciation, spelling and to use it in the sentence correctly and appropriately.

There are many approaches to learn vocabulary. The one approach that I used in my classrooms was to help students practice the same words for a few days so that they memorize it easily. In order to do that, I would try to choose the topics in which the same words were used so that students are coming across the same words again and again. Also, I used to ask the meaning of the words randomly during the lesson, just to create their interest and to bring their attention to those words.

Another thing that plays an important role here is the motivation that how motivated the students are to learn new words. The way I learned vocabulary was to keep a diary in which I used to write down every new word I come across and read those words every day until I know them. I have always encouraged my students to keep a diary.

So, the thing that I learned in this unit is that teachers need to incorporate the vocabulary activities carefully in the lesson plans so that the learners learn the words in context, not just from the meaning. Teachers can encourage them to read and read which I think is the best way to introduce yourself to new words. they can read the books of their interest and if the students do not like reading books, they can read articles of their interest on the internet such as sports.

This unit also shed light on various reading strategies which were divided into three parts: pre-reading, while reading and post reading. We also summarized the Brown, D. & Lee, H. (2015), Chapter 17 pp. 410-411 using smart art and posted it on Padlet. Here is the link:  Padlet

Resources:

Brown, D. & Lee, H. (2015). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy (Rev. 4th Ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education.