The document provides ideas for teaching vocabulary in the English classroom, including presenting new words within context by using texts or pictures, in isolation by showing pictures before a topic is introduced, and using realia, pictures, gestures, opposites, enumeration, and explanation. It emphasizes teaching the meaning, sound, and written form of new words and contacting the author with any comments or questions.

1. How can I teach vocabulary in theHow can I teach vocabulary in the
English Classroom?English Classroom?

2. Teaching vocabularyTeaching vocabulary
Goal:Goal: To provide someTo provide some
ideas to the the Englishideas to the the English
Language TeachersLanguage Teachers
regarding different waysregarding different ways
of teaching vocabularyof teaching vocabulary
in the classroom.in the classroom.
What is vocabulary?What is vocabulary?
Vocabulary is all theVocabulary is all the
words we teach thewords we teach the
students to create newstudents to create new
language.language.

3. There are two ways of presentingThere are two ways of presenting
vocabularyvocabulary
Whithin a context.Whithin a context.
The teacher shows theThe teacher shows the
students a text which containsstudents a text which contains
the new words to teach. (Thethe new words to teach. (The
words might be transparent orwords might be transparent or
the teacher can draw or usethe teacher can draw or use
pictures to point to them aspictures to point to them as
he/she reads).he/she reads).
Example:Example:
This is Fred. He has short blackThis is Fred. He has short black
hair, strong arms and bighair, strong arms and big
hands.hands.
While the teacher reads the textWhile the teacher reads the text
he points to every body parthe points to every body part
the text mentions in order tothe text mentions in order to
convey meaning.convey meaning.

4. In isolationIn isolation
The teacher presents aThe teacher presents a
picture or a series ofpicture or a series of
pictures showingpictures showing
vocabulary he will usevocabulary he will use
before introducing thebefore introducing the
topic.topic.
Example:Example:
The teacher shows aThe teacher shows a
picture to the students andpicture to the students and
he points to every bodyhe points to every body
part he wants the studentspart he wants the students
to memorize.to memorize.
arm
hand
neck
leg
head

5. These are some other examples of teachingThese are some other examples of teaching
vocabularyvocabulary
 Realia.Realia. One way ofOne way of
teaching vocabulalryteaching vocabulalry
is by taking realis by taking real
objects to theobjects to the
classroom or usingclassroom or using
the ones the teacherthe ones the teacher
has in it. Example: ahas in it. Example: a
chair, a board, a pen,chair, a board, a pen,
a ball, etc.a ball, etc.

6. These are some other examples of teachingThese are some other examples of teaching
vocabulary*vocabulary*11
 Pictures.Pictures. Pictures arePictures are
usually a big help forusually a big help for
teachers anytime youteachers anytime you
can not take big objectscan not take big objects
or things to theor things to the
classroom.classroom.
 Pictures can be boardPictures can be board
drawings, wall pictures,drawings, wall pictures,
charts flashcards etc.charts flashcards etc.

7. These are some other examples of teachingThese are some other examples of teaching
vocabulary*vocabulary*11
 Mime, action andMime, action and
gesture.gesture. It is often toIt is often to
explain the meaning ofexplain the meaning of
words and grammarwords and grammar
either through the useeither through the use
of realia or pictures.of realia or pictures.
 Actions like running,Actions like running,
walking or smoking arewalking or smoking are
easier to explain byeasier to explain by
acting the words.acting the words.

8. These are some other examples of teachingThese are some other examples of teaching
vocabulary*vocabulary*11
 Contrast.Contrast. It is often to explain the meaning of wordsIt is often to explain the meaning of words
by showing an opposite word. Example:by showing an opposite word. Example:
Fat thin
tall short
slow
fast

9. These are some other examples of teachingThese are some other examples of teaching
vocabulary*vocabulary*11
 Enumeration:Enumeration: Words can be explainedWords can be explained by enumeratingby enumerating
or listing various items. Example:or listing various items. Example:
 Vegetables: broccolli, tomato, calabash, cucumberbroccolli, tomato, calabash, cucumber
 ClothesClothes:: Shoes, jacket, jeans.Shoes, jacket, jeans.

10. These are some other examples of teachingThese are some other examples of teaching
vocabulary*vocabulary*11
 Explanantion: Explaining the meaning of vocabularyExplanantion: Explaining the meaning of vocabulary
items can be very difficult, especially at the beginnersitems can be very difficult, especially at the beginners
or elementary levels.or elementary levels.
1. Jeremy Harmer. The Practice of English Language Teaching. Longman1. Jeremy Harmer. The Practice of English Language Teaching. Longman

11. What should I teach anytime IWhat should I teach anytime I
introduce a new word?introduce a new word?
 Anytime you introduce a new word to theAnytime you introduce a new word to the
students make sure you are teaching thestudents make sure you are teaching the
followingfollowing
 The meaningThe meaning
 The soundThe sound
 The written wordThe written word ..

12. Teaching meaning, sound and theTeaching meaning, sound and the
written word.written word. When you teach the wordWhen you teach the word
“chair”“chair” it is easier for theit is easier for the
students if you pronouncestudents if you pronounce
the word to them and showthe word to them and show
them at the same time thethem at the same time the
object or a picture of it soobject or a picture of it so
that the students can get thethat the students can get the
meaning immediately.meaning immediately.
 Then you can say you areThen you can say you are
teachingteaching meaningmeaning andand
soundsound..
 If you write the word underIf you write the word under
the picture or at the back of itthe picture or at the back of it
then you will provide thethen you will provide the
studentents the written formstudentents the written form
of the word.of the word. chairchair

13. Comments or doubts aboutComments or doubts about
this presentation.this presentation.
Please contact.Please contact.
María del Consuelo EscamillaMaría del Consuelo Escamilla
ValderramaValderrama
E-Mail. madelcescamilla@yahoo.com.mxE-Mail. madelcescamilla@yahoo.com.mx