For Intermediate and Advanced Learners

Throughout our discussion on teaching techniques, we focused on ensuring that the learner could not only repeat the word, but could understand what the word meant and how it could be used in a sentence. Pictures were used with the written word whenever possible, and actions (in exercises such as Total Physical Response) were also used when appropriate. Writing (and stating sentences in which the new vocabulary was used) was also an important part of this process since knowing a word is not useful if the learner cannot put it to use!

Higher-level learners also need to develop their vocabulary in meaningful ways. They need to develop skills and strategies that allow them not only to increase the number of words they can say, but allow them to use the words correctly. While Total Physical Response and word patterns may be appropriate ways for your lower-level learners to study new vocabulary, higher-level learners may find other approaches more useful.

A: Word Forms (or parts of speech)

One approach that more advanced learners can use to remember (and better use the vocabulary they learn), is to know the function a word plays in a sentence.

Noun
Person, place or thing
(John went to Paris by plane.)

Verb
Action word (walk, run, sing) or state of being (am)

Adjective
Word describing a noun (He is tall.)

Adverb
Word describing a verb
(He walks slowly.)