Recently I have talked about how to build vocabulary and give strong vocabulary foundations to your students. Knowing vocabulary is necessary for students. Therefore, it is also equally important to remember that how we teach ASL vocabulary directly connects to how students retain the information. As a result, the way teachers present vocabulary influences how students retain and use vocabulary both expressively and receptively. Some ideas to do this are:
- Showing – teach the vocabulary by showing it’s meaning through acting, mime, pictures, and gestures
- Prior knowledge – use words and phrases students already know to teach new words
- Meaning – discuss the definition and what the word means, use circumlocution
- Form – sometimes difficult words can be easier to teach if students know the class of the word (noun, verb, etc.)
It is especially relevant to students needs to see words multiple times in a variety of situations for good understanding and retention. Words should always be introduced in the target language. How you do that depends on what words you are teaching. There are a few techniques that I like to use when teaching new words.
Visual – The use of images, drawings, objects, and acting can all create a representation of the word and get the meaning across. However, not all words will be able to be used this way. Many terms are abstract. A picture can’t be drawn to depict its actual meaning.
Dictionaries – In the digital age I think it is OK to use online dictionaries in order to learn some terms. Remember, a lot of online resources are specific to location. Therefore, it is important that students realize that not all words will be relevant in your area. However, it is important for students to know sign variations. Go ahead and teach them. If using this method, ensure that students see the words used in a context and fully understand their meaning.
Context – Teach the word in context. Words taught in context are often retained. Words taught in isolation are not. It is essential that students have an understanding of the words and phrases you use when teaching new vocabulary. Don’t incorporate many new words when trying to teach a specific vocabulary word. In other words, try to keep vocabulary simple until retained by students. After near mastery, move to new words.
Associated vocabulary – Teaching like words together is an easy way to give entire word groups to students. For example, foods, holidays, or countries. It is easier to give larger amounts of words when they are chunked in categories. Students are more likely to retain vocabulary when it is in word groups. Then they can associate the words together and compare how they are created.
Direct Translations – Matching English words to ASL signs. This is not my favorite. But I know I use it when I just can’t get a word to make sense to students. Write the word on the board, show a word list and point, or create a list on the board and have students pick. I do this method when I am desperate. I still want to stay in ASL and don’t want English interpretation (voice) to creep into the lesson. Maybe use the other methods above to enhance the learning process. In conclusion, do what you can to teach vocabulary without this method.
Adriana Pčolinská, Slovakia has some great ways to accomplish the above. Be sure to check out her article How to Present Vocabulary in a Language Classroom in a Communicative Way. Here are some modified ideas to enhance your teaching of ASL vocabulary.
- Give your students a few vocabulary items. Tell them to find their meaning, take note of the sign parameters and ask them to sign a sample sentence with the word.
- Prepare videos and ask your students to match words to definitions or sentence worksheets with numbers.
- Ask students to classify a group of words based on similar parameters (handshape, movement, location).
- Ask students to find new vocabulary from their homework. They can teach each other in the class.
- Review the vocabulary you teach through a game or activity and encourage your students to do the same at home.
- Encourage autonomy in your learners. Tell them to read, watch films, and listen to songs. Point out useful words and learn to convey the meaning in ASL.
- It is a good idea to teach/learn words with similar meanings together, but only in the case of more advanced students.
- If you have never heard the word, tell the student you will check and get back to them. Do get back to them. Remember, don’t create a sign and always educate students to never do this.
Example of #2 above. For this example, I used online videos (hey I am in my PJs I can’t video myself). In real life, I would use videos without the actual word in the video for higher-level students. For lower levels, I do what you see below.
Agreement Verbs
Directions: Match the verb to the accurate sign. Write the number that matches the verb in the square.
| Give-to | Tell-to | Look-at | Force |
| Summon | Take-from | Show-to | Blame |
| Advice | Move | Inform | Borrow |
| Pay | Ask | Pity | Help |
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=1607
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=117
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=216h
- ttps://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=1652
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=2144
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=216
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=910
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=1017
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=300
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=1304
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=1121
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=226
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=195
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=1454
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=39
- https://www.handspeak.com/word/search/index.php?id=848
In conclusion, different types of instructional modes and activities will provide effective language development for students. Teaching ASL vocabulary in context, combining vocabulary with visual and signing activities and providing students with different opportunities to use the words (conversational, interpretive, analytical) will enhance language development.
Circling
You may also like to read about circling, a technique used to teach vocabulary through questioning.
Get Social
I know I can’t cover this topic in one post. If you have questions, let’s talk in the Creative ASL Teaching Facebook group.
Join the conversation in our Facebook group.
Don’t miss out on a sale, FREEBIE, or new product. Follow Creative ASL Teaching on TpT.
