Advanced Vocab: Some Ideas

Teacher Discussion Forums :: View topic - how to teach vocabulary to advanced students: "First figure out why they would want bigger vocabularies in the first place. Is it to pass a test? To succeed at work? To enjoy reading English novels? To impress their friends? The reason for the vocab increase will determine the way in which the vocab is taught. Figure out the context in which with vocab will be used, then pick words appropriate to that situation. I find that 10 words per day is an absolute maximum (and when I'm a student, I prefer more like 3 per day...). Then use the words in context in class. Have situation-specific dialogues. Ask lots of questions that either include the words or require the words in the answer. Have students write dialogues, stories, cartoon captions, etc. using the words. Words usually have to be used in at least 4 separate contexts before they are remembered at all. So have the students use the vocab words frequently."