16 Tips for Improving Student Vocabulary

Are you looking for tips for improving student vocabulary? If so, keep reading.

1. Refer to formerly presented information that is related to the topic when presenting new vocabulary.

2. Show the learner how to classify new words as to category, function, antonym, etc.

3. Provide the learner or let the learner select a “word of the day” that is to be incorporated into conversations. Praise the learner every time they use the word.

4. Urge the learner to apply new vocabulary to personal encounters in written and oral work (e.g., “Can you think of another word to use for sleep?”).

5. Get the learner to act out verbs and tag actions performed by classmates.

6. Get the learner to demonstrate and find various verbs of the same category (e.g., walk, creep, slither, saunter, march, etc.).

7. Record the learner’s spontaneous speech, noting specific words. Get the learner to list other words that could be exchanged for the identified words (synonyms).

8. Put exciting images or objects on a table and have the learner describe them in detail. Assist in formulating an appropriate vocabulary to use when describing the object.

9. Get the learner to make up sentences or stories using new words they have learned.

10. Daily, examine new vocabulary words and their meanings. Get the learner to use the words daily.

11. Get the learner to give as many adjectives as possible to go with a given noun (e.g., “lady ” – pretty, tall, nice, etc.).

12. Provide the learner an image of a specific place (e.g., grocery store) and have the learner name as many objects, actions, persons, etc., as they can think of that can be found there.

13. Get the learner to give associations for given words (e.g., circus – clown, elephant, trapeze, tent, lion tamer, etc.).

14. Utilize a multisensory approach to enable retention when teaching new vocabulary (e.g., use the scent of fragrant flowers or freshly baked spice cake to enable retention of the vocabulary word aroma).

15. Urge oral output. Boost the learner’s chances to connect orally and give them with appropriate practice in using vocabulary.

16. Consider viewing our list of vocabulary building apps.

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