Mastering the Art of Teaching
Vocabulary
Secrets and State-of-the-Art Methods
Contextualization Is Key
Secret: Words must live in context, not isolation.
Example: Teach "negotiation" through a role-play where students simulate a business deal.
Activity: Use real-life dialogues, news articles, or short stories embedding target vocabulary.
The Power of Word Maps and Visuals
Secret: Visualization improves retention by 50%!
Example: For the word "innovation," create a word map: innovation → creativity →
invention → discovery.
Activity: Students create their own mind maps in pairs using colored markers.
Spaced Repetition and Retrieval Practice
Secret: Frequent, spaced review solidifies vocabulary.
Example: Recycle 5–7 new words every week in different exercises.
Game: Memory Race — Write words on flashcards; teams race to give the definition + an
example sentence.
Personalization
Secret: Words stick when they are personally relevant.
Example: Ask students to use new words in sentences about their hobbies, jobs, or life.
Activity: My Life with New Words — Students write a short paragraph using 5 new words
related to their experiences.
Chunking and Collocations
Secret: Teach chunks, not single words.
Example: Instead of just "commit," teach "commit a crime," "commit to a cause."
Activity: Collocation Bingo — Give students collocation charts; they mark them when they
hear a correct chunk in use.
Using Technology
Secret: Interactive tools boost engagement.
Tools: Quizlet, Kahoot, Wordwall.
Activity: Create live word games using Kahoot where students match definitions, synonyms,
and images.
Active Use: Speaking and Writing
Secret: Production is the mother of retention.
Example: Weekly “New Word Speaking Challenges” — students speak for 2 minutes using at
least 3 new words.
Game: Speed Talk — Students discuss a topic using vocabulary from the current unit; each
mistake loses a point!
Mnemonic Devices
Secret: Strange images stick!
Example: To remember "gregarious" (sociable), imagine Greg throwing a big party.
Activity: Create a Crazy Story — Students invent stories linking new vocabulary with
bizarre images.
Lexical Sets and Themes
Secret: Group words by theme for better memorization.
Example: For travel, teach passport, boarding pass, customs, baggage together.
Activity: Thematic Word Web — Students brainstorm related words around a central
theme.
Multiple Exposures
Secret: The magic number is at least 7 exposures to a word.
Example: Introduce words in reading, then in speaking, writing, games, and quizzes.
Activity: Vocabulary Detective — Students search for target words in newspapers or social
media for a week and share findings.
Bonus Vocabulary Games
Game How to Play
Word Charades Act out a word silently; others guess.
Hot Seat One student sits facing the class; classmates
describe a word without saying it.
Taboo Students explain a word without using 3–5
forbidden words.
Word Chain Say a word; next student says a related
word (synonym, collocation, etc.).
20 Questions Think of a word; others ask yes/no
questions to guess it.
Tips for Success
- Always teach pronunciation, spelling, and meaning together.
- Prioritize high-frequency and useful words.
- Encourage students to notice new words outside the classroom.
- Motivate learners to keep a Vocabulary Notebook (physical or digital).
