Vocabulary
Ms. Celynne Gould, an ESL teacher, advises beginning students to use a bilingual dictionary that provides definitions in the their native language, but eventually begin using a standard English dictionary for vocabulary acquisition (personal communication, October 9, 2014). For many students, apps on their Smartphones provide a convenient way to do this. Teachers should check in with students to assist with the transition from bilingual to English dictionary apps.
Vocabulary sites, such as anki.net, are useful for vocabulary acquisition; however, Dr. Tweedie notes that vocabulary sites provide denotations only and do not train students to understand how to select and use words appropriate to the context based on their connotations (personal communication, October 3, 2014). In an interview with Ms. Gould's full year ESL class, students affirmed that they use Google search frequently to identify the various ways in which the word is used (personal communication, October 23, 2014).
Ms. Priya Mahtani, an ESL educational assistant (who was an ESL teacher prior to immigrating to Canada), says that it is effective for students to write the definition in their own words, both in their native language and in English, as well as to encounter (through listening and reading) and use (through discussion and writing) the new vocabulary multiple times within the week (personal communication, November 5, 2014). Using a note-taking app, keeping blog, or even Tweeting are way to do this using technology.
Vocabulary sites, such as anki.net, are useful for vocabulary acquisition; however, Dr. Tweedie notes that vocabulary sites provide denotations only and do not train students to understand how to select and use words appropriate to the context based on their connotations (personal communication, October 3, 2014). In an interview with Ms. Gould's full year ESL class, students affirmed that they use Google search frequently to identify the various ways in which the word is used (personal communication, October 23, 2014).
Ms. Priya Mahtani, an ESL educational assistant (who was an ESL teacher prior to immigrating to Canada), says that it is effective for students to write the definition in their own words, both in their native language and in English, as well as to encounter (through listening and reading) and use (through discussion and writing) the new vocabulary multiple times within the week (personal communication, November 5, 2014). Using a note-taking app, keeping blog, or even Tweeting are way to do this using technology.