Introduce New Vocabulary
There are so many ways to introduce new vocabulary and stay in the target language. In my last post, we talked about a circling technique to help teach new vocabulary and continue to stay in the target language 90 – 100% of the time. Now let me introduce you to another method that you can implement in your teaching practice.
Using Prior Knowledge
This method builds on prior knowledge and is extremely effective. Using what students already know will help them acquire more language. The method I am going to show you is based on Krashen’s theory that students will learn language by going one step past their threshold (i + 1).
To Teach Clothing
Here is an example of how you can use colors to activate student’s prior knowledge to teach nouns. Display two like pictures like the example above. Use adjectives such as colors to introduce clothing. Here are some ways you can use the picture to teach new vocabulary and stay in the target language. Show a picture of random clothing and ask questions:
- Teacher says, “Becky point to the blue jacket.”
- The teacher points to the pink vest and says, “Becky is this the blue jacket?”
- Teacher says, “Class which picture shows the blue jacket? Picture 1 or picture 2?
- The teacher points to picture one, “Is this the blue jacket?”
Add Some Movement
You can also use many other pictures with different color jackets and post them around the room to get some purposeful movement into the class. Then practice commands to see what students understand.
Use commands like these:
- Class point to the blue jacket.
- Boys move to the pink jacket.
- Girls stand and walk to the green jacket.
- Tina touch the yellow jacket.
- Tommy stand and walk to the picture with the purple jacket.
Remember commands should be given in the target language.
Stay in the Target Language
When you stay in the target language it gives students opportunities to learn authentically and often acquire language accidentally. Students will be communicating things you never meant to teach! How do you teach new vocabulary?
#aslteacherchat
