Passive vocabulary is used in reading and listening, where you are receiving information. There is a difference between passive vocabulary and active vocabulary.For example, active, actively, activities, and activity are all in the same word-family. A word-family is a grouping of words derived from the same base.
#Dictionary database of vocabulary words by grade level how to
By doing so, you will be able to understand how to use words more easily. Before studying vocabulary, understand the difference between each word in a word-family.Here is another list of things to consider before studying vocabulary GOOD NEWS - If your goal is to speak English fluently, you are not required to study 10,000 words. This type of person is considered a heritage language learner. Because they grew up for 5 years speaking Spanish, they are a different type of language learners. This person whose first language is Spanish actually does not know many Spanish words and must study Spanish to retain it. The person knows basic Spanish and is fluent for a 5 year old but eventually English will become dominant. Let's say a person from Mexico moves to the US at the age of 5. Many people do not know what a heritage language learner is. Studying heritage language learners reveal that a person with a vocabulary size of 2,500 passive word-families and 2,000 active word-families can speak a language fluently.Professor Paul Nation found that a person needs to know 8,000-9,000 word families to enjoy reading a book.
For instance, you could tell students that one thing that is delicate is a teacup. Picture perfect: Invite students to draw a picture that represents the word’s meaning.Įxamples and non-examples: Give one example and one non-example of how the word is and isn’t used. This activity works especially well if you pair the new adjective with a familiar noun. Or students can “vote with their feet” by moving to one corner of the room if they want a delicate toy or another corner if they don’t. Do the same with each of the senses.Ī round of applause: If the word is an adjective, invite students to clap based on how much they would like a delicate toy, for example.
Call on students to share their responses. Then ask them to give a thumbs up if they’ve ever seen something delicate. Use your senses: Ask your students to use their senses to describe when they saw, heard, felt, tasted, or smelled something that was delicate. Then invite pairs to share their responses with the rest of the class. Word associations: Ask students, “What does the word delicate make you think of? What other words go with delicate?” Students can turn and talk with a partner to come up with a response.