As a teacher, one of the most important things you can do for your students is to help them develop effective communication skills. This includes teaching them about proper grammar and word usage. Two common words that often confuse students are “specially” and “especially”. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two words and provide tips for teaching them to students.
First, let’s define the two words. “Specially” means “for a particular purpose” or “in a particular way”. For example, “I made this cake specially for your birthday.” “Especially” means “particularly” or “to a great extent”. For example, “I especially enjoyed the last chapter of that book.”
To teach students about these two words, it’s important to start with examples. Write sentences on the board or overhead projector that use each word correctly. Some examples might include:
– “I dressed up specially for the dance.”
– “She loves dogs, especially corgis.”
– “He made that dinner specially for his wife.”
– “The students were especially quiet during the test.”
Ask students to identify which word they would use in each sentence and why. Encourage them to think about the context of each sentence and how the word choice affects the meaning.
Another helpful exercise is to have students write their own sentences using each word. You can assign this as homework or have students work in pairs to come up with examples. Then, have them share their sentences with the class and discuss whether they used the words correctly.
You can also create a bulletin board or poster that highlights the differences between “specially” and “especially”. Include examples and have students refer to the board when they are unsure about which word to use.
Finally, it’s important to reinforce the correct usage of these two words throughout the school year. Make notes on students’ papers when they use the words incorrectly and explain why the correct word should have been used. Emphasize the importance of strong communication skills and how precise word choice can make a big difference.
