Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary: An Introduction to Engaging Cooperative Vocabulary Card Activities

Authors

Robert Sheridan
Laura Markslag

Publication Date

2017-01-01

Abstract

Despite the vast extent of the English vocabulary, it has been estimated that only around 2400 high frequency word families, which are found on Browne, Culligan, and Phillips' (2013) New General Service List (NGSL), make up over 92% of most general English texts. Several studies have shown that a word must be encountered anywhere from six (Saragi, Nation, & Meister, 1978; Rott, 1999) to 20 times (Herman, Anderson, Pearson, & Nagy, 1987) for a learner to acquire it. Unfortunately, many EFL textbooks do not adequately recycle high frequency vocabulary and learners may not have enough encounters with these critical words in their language classes (Nation, 1993). This raises the question of how teachers can ensure learners encounter high frequency vocabulary on a regular basis. In this paper, we describe how learnermade vocabulary cards help students initially learn the lexical items found on the NGSL and other important special purpose vocabulary lists. We then present a variety of engaging cooperative learning activities that reinforce the learning of these lexical items, thereby overcoming the lack of recycling in most EFL textbooks. These exciting activities have been well received by learners across levels in a variety of EFL contexts.

DOI

10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.53.1.8

First Page

214

Last Page

229

Recommended Citation

Sheridan, Robert and Markslag, Laura (2017) "Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary: An Introduction to Engaging Cooperative Vocabulary Card Activities," PASAA: Vol. 53: Iss. 1, Article 8.
DOI: 10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.53.1.8
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/pasaa/vol53/iss1/8