Which words are worth the worry?

Panelists in Brighton: Diane Schmitt & Norbert Schmitt ; Online from New Zealand: Averil Coxhead & Paul Nation, 10.40-11.40, Saturday 16th April

There are lots of general high frequency word lists on the internet, but the question is whether they are enough or appropriate for our learners? Also, what about the vocabulary items in textbooks? These were the questions in my mind before the session started.

Diane Scmitt says: "Students need more words than we actually teach." Also, learners' language goal determines how much they need vocabulary.

So, what do teachers need to do? Here are some tips from panelists:

• Vocabulary teaching should be done not only through reading, but also through speaking, listening and writing.
• Vocabulary items should be recycled throughout the academic semester, but just repetition is not enough. Students need to be exposed to words in different contexts.
• Extensive reading and listening should be encouraged.
• Panelists advise the teachers to do action reserach to find out how much vocabulary their learners take in to determine their plans for vocabulary teaching.
• For a quick start to vocabulary teaching, the use of word cards is recommended.

The teaching process of vocabulary teaching is challenging and slow, but with the recyling and contextualisation, it will be more fruitful!