SELECTING AND GRADING VOCABULARY

[Maria J. Sánchez]

1) VOCABULARY
... FOR BEGINNERS: downstairs, cupboard, armchair, bath, fridge.
... FOR INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS: bookcase, tap=faucet, fireplace, dresser, closet.
... VOCABULARY FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS: cradle, frame, lawnmower, vacuum cleaner, drainpipe

2) The last time I went to a country where i couldn't speak the language I learnt words for politeness: like greetings, words for personal interest like numbers and some letters of their alphabet, also for personal interest. I must admit i can't remember any now, but i'm sure i would if I heard them again.

3) Within any list, which is not very long, of vocabulary I would tech all the words. The ones they already know would be useful to encourage them to learn new ones since it is always easier to learn when you already know some words. These would be words like: sociable, calm, intelligent, cheerful. The words which they found most difficult would be taught just to be identified in texts, like gregarious, obstinate, assertive and even- tempered.

4) Catalan False friends:
embarassada (pregnant)-embarrassed (avergonyida)
subjecte (tied) - subject (assignatura)
remoure (stir)- remove (treure)
succés (event)- success (èxit)
idioma (language)- idiom (expressió feta)
eventualment (from time to time)- eventually (finalment)

5) I think it's the teacher's job to choose the range of vocabulary their students need to learn. he must chose from the most common words for beginners to the most specific for advanced learners, for example.

[Admin]

Hi Maria thanks for your comments! I agree with everything you say, but about No 5 maybe I would also encourage students to explore and learn vocabulary for themselves, make their own choices about what words to learn. If a student is interested in football or abstract art they will want to learn vocabulary that relates to these subjects - and if these interests can somehow be included in the lessons, through I don't know, home work or small presentations or informal chats - the whole language learning process will feel more personally relevant and motivating. No?