When teaching ELL students new vocabulary, it is important to select
the key vocabulary for any given lesson or unit. Here are some
guidelines to help you decide which words to teach. The next section will
provide some ideas for how to teach new vocabulary.
TELL
the student the word and move on
if:
- The word does not represent a new concept
- Students need to understand for this activity but are not likely to
need it again
TEACH the student the word if:
- The word represents a new concept
- The word crosses content areas or has multiple uses
- The word is important for students outside of this activity
How
do I teach new vocabulary to ELLs?
- Pronounce the word
- Provide a definition (show, paraphrase, act out, create experience)
- Post definition for reference
- Introduce in context in which it occurs or in a familiar context
- Relate word to students' prior experiences. Create an experience that
demonstrates meaning
- Word walls
- Generate and record sentences (building from original context or familiar
context)
- Use word often in instruction. Point it out in other content areas,
have students find it in other contexts, classes, out of school.
- Add to word bank or student-made dictionaries
- Use first language to clarify
- Word webs
- Semantic-analysis chart, concept maps.
- Act out, use visuals or real objects (realia)
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