Methods of Teaching Vocabulary

Last week we learned about two approaches for teaching vocabulary: the Teach and Learn Approach and the Learning through Input Approach.You can see a PowerPoint presentation of the approaches here. I would like to tell you about the strengths and weaknesses of each approach as well as the approach I would use as a Junior High School English teacher.

1. Present and Learn
■Strengths
・All students learn new words easily and exactly because they are given their meaning in their own language soon.

・Teacher spends much time to show students examples of using of new words and have students do activity to remember them.

■Weaknesses
・Students tend to be passive because they don't need to think so much.

・New words tend to be scrappy and students forget them earlier.

2.Teaching through Input Approach
■Strengths
・In this method teacher chooses Natural Vocabulary Groups centered around a theme, so new words students learn have connection of meaning. It helps students to remember new words more effectively. And students will be able to communicate with others about a theme they learned. So students can get practical communication skill.

・Teacher can use target language more than Present and Learn.

■Weaknesses
・Students' level and knowledge are different. So teacher tries to have every student get interested in the message and attend to it. Teacher has to think how he/she helps students who can't attend to it.

Lastly as a Junior High School English teacher I would favor the Learning through Input Approach. Because I would like to have students think by themselves as well as they can and remember words effectively.

My idea about Communicative Activities

Today,I am goinng to review two of the "typical Japanese junior high school"communicative activities presented in ETM3.The activities I am going to review are Interview and Questionnaire.You can view them here. http://www.englisheducation.iwate-u.ac.jp/Hall/kyouikuhou/TypicalCommunicativeActivities.files/frame.htm
First is Interview.The example presented was started the question "What were you doing at 7 last night?" immediatelly.I think it is not real interview.So,to be more natural conversation and effective practice,I would like to add some sentences.For example,"Excuse me.May I ask you?","Hi!Do you have time?" and so on.I think beginning of conversation is surprisingly difficult.To have students get used to conversation in English, it is necessary for them to practice these expression in addition to gramatical practice.Next is Questionnaire. When we communicate with others, it is important to get interested in them and ask questions to understand them.I would like to give more information to have enough practice and enjoy communication.For example,teacher gives some cards 「food」「sport」,「flower」and so on.Also,teacher gives specific information for these cards.「food」―apple, cheese,「sport」―baseball,soccer,「flower」―cherry blossom,rose and so on.I think these information helps students to communicate smoothly.

Important thing for me

Important thing for me is the time I don't think anything. Do you have such the time? I think having such the time is important because poeple always need thinking something a day. For example, I think the following things. In the morning, "what time is it now?","I have to hurry up to get to school!" In the classes, of course, I think many things about each subjects through listening to lecture and other students' opinions, and reading text book. After school, "What do I have to do? Are there any pieces of homework? Do I have to go to part time job?" From morning to night, I always think something. So I sometimes get tired of thinking. At which time, I try not to think anything by listening to music, watching out of the window, reading comics and so on. Ultimately I fall asleep. After I have the time, I get power again. It's a change a pace! It's important thing for me!