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.