Vocabulary

Stephania Ayala Bedoya

Daniela Villegas Isaza

Vocabulary

How many words should we learn per day?

     It depends on what the person wants to achieve. Firstly, we should know that memorizing a bunch of words per day is not a good strategy for learning because when your brain is full of information, it tends to forget more easily. Despite of the fact that it is not the most appropriate way to learn, we have found three options for learning new words: from five to eight, from twenty-five to forty, and one-hundred or more new words a day. However, there is not an exactly answer for this question due to everybody learns in different ways. For that reason, the most important thing at the time to learn new vocabulary is not the amount of words, but the methods that you use.

Languagesurfercom. (2016). Language Surfer. Retrieved 3 May, 2016, from http://www.languagesurfer.com/2014/08/12/how-  many-vocabulary-words-a-day-should-you-learn/

Why do we need to learn vocabulary when learning a target language?

     As we know, vocabulary is almost everything in a language. For that, reason is crucial to be familiarized with the words that our target language has to appropriate it in a successful way. However, it is important to know that vocabulary is more than just words. Vocabulary is also phrases and expressions. When people have solid bases on vocabulary, they are able not only to understand what is being listened, but also to speak and express what they want to say with their own ideas. In general, the more vocabulary you acquire, the more you will be able to understand what you hear and read.

Tesolorg. (2016). Tesolorg. Retrieved 4 May, 2016, from http://www.tesol.org/docs/books/bk_ELTD_Vocabulary_974

How can we learn vocabulary?

     It is very easy because you just have to find an accurate way to learn new vocabulary in which you feel more comfortable. The suggestions that we have found are practical. First, you can write the words on your notebook, or in small cards. It would be better if you associate the words with pictures or drawings. Also, you can put them into practice by having short “conversation showers” with you, and writing short paragraphs where you include the words already learnt. To sum up, the process of learning new vocabulary is just to have the enough interest to do it.

Paul shoebottom. (2016). Fisedu. Retrieved 4 May, 2016, from http://esl.fis.edu/learners/advice/vocab.htm

How can we teach vocabulary?

     You can use some tools for teaching vocabulary. First, I have found a document where it says that you have to understand how words are learned. Then, you can make a mind map to help people memorize the new word they have learnt; besides, you can give a practice exercise or a game that can help them to contextualize this new vocabulary. In addition, word parts and word chunks are important in the development of the language, so you must teach them. Finally, you have to test the people because in this way you are motivating learners to review vocabulary.

Vobsat. (2016). Vobsat. Retrieved 3 May, 2016, from http://www2.vobs.at/ludescher/pdf files/how to teach vocabulary.pdf

Links for learning

http://www.abcya.com/ - This web site is about games, and it is for kids. It is divided from pre-K until fifth grade. When you choose a category, it will show you a new section with some divisions for games about letters, numbers, holidays, strategies and skills. Then when you click on the one that you want to improve, it will take you to the game’s options.

http://www.funbrain.com/ - This web site is about games, and it offers from Reading to Math games which are very colorful and perfect for children; you just have to go to the top of the page, and you will find the options.

http://www.saberingles.com.ar/songs/exercises/ - This website is about music, It has several songs which are divided into the degree of difficulty, from easy to difficult, and it has the purpose of showing the video while you have to complete the lyrics of the song.