This study is dedicated to suggest a way to improve the ability of students' ability to figure out the meaning of unknown vocabularies themselves when they encounter them during their reading. For this purpose, in chapter 2, we have observed the denot...
This study is dedicated to suggest a way to improve the ability of students' ability to figure out the meaning of unknown vocabularies themselves when they encounter them during their reading. For this purpose, in chapter 2, we have observed the denotation of vocabulary, the relationship between ability to read and knowledge of vocabulary, the necessity to teach vocabulary and it’s supposed goal, and fundamentals of teaching vocabulary and the ways to do it, Based on this, in chapter 3, we have looked at ways to teach vocabulary utilizing information gathered from overall flow of writing. First of all, types of overall flow of writing were summarized and ways to figure out meanings of unfamiliar vocabularies with overall flow of writing were suggested. Using overall flow of writing, stages of teaching and study procedures are suggested; based on that, word study and teaching patterns are suggested. Also we have looked at actual high school teaching methods for vocabularies for reading subject based on the vocabulary teaching patterns suggested above.
In this study, considering that the 7th educational procedures emphasize students being able to actively discover and learn vocabularies, we have focussed on the teaching of ways to figure out vocabularies utilizing information gathered from overall flow of paragraph. The method of teaching vocabularies using overall flow is shown below.
(1) Study goals are suggested
(2) Fundamentals study : Types of overall flow of writing and methods of figuring out unfamiliar words are explained
(3) Exploration: teaching of methods of learning utilizing overall flow
Stage 1 : Students should read text carefully and pick unfamiliar words.
Stage 2 : In finding overall flow of text, students should be familiarized with background information regarding the text and find overall flow(definitions, associated sentences, metaphor, examples, synonyms, cause and effect, description, summary, etc.)of the text.
Stage 3 : Using background knowledge and overall flow of writing, students figure out meaning of unfamiliar words.
Stage 4 : In this checking stage, check to see if the figured out meaning actually comply with the overall flow of writing, and if so check the dictionary to double check the accuracy of the meaning of words. If the meaning seems to go against the flow, then go back to stage 2.
Stage5 : With various communication activities, utilize newly acquired vocabulary.
(4) Summarizing and Valuating : Utilizing types of overall flow and types, and summarize the procedure of figuring out meaning of unfamiliar words and valuate study result (how the newly acquired words were utilized in real life and whether types of overall flow of text was understood).
The method of figuring out meaning of words utilizing overall flow of text is a way for students to actively look for information inside the text that will lead them to find out the meaning for themselves. Also, since this method requires students read through text in order to find out meanings, it improves students’ reading skills as well. This method of figuring out unfamiliar words by reading through text is the most effective learning method for high school students.
Compared to the students in the past, students these days fall behind in vocabulary capabilities in both quantity and quality wise. Not to mention falling behind in quality of vocabulary, quantity is a more serious problem indeed.
Conventional vocabulary teaching methods have various advantages and shortcomings. It depends on an educator to decide based on the students and surroundings which method to choose. In this high school, we have suggested way to improve upon number of vocabularies students know, and also figure out meaning of words based on given text and information thereby improving upon their vocabularies quality wise as well. It also improves thinking and reading skills. Utilizing this teaching method, reading skill and vocabulary should be improved.