Language Learning Techniques

by Marita Wagner

Student site

Here's an interesting site which shows teaching English using karaoke and other interesting techniques . It is called K-TV English .

Vocabulary University has some puzzles which require knowledge of vocabulary "roots". It is appropriate to junior-high level and above.

...from http://www.magictheatre.com/cschome.html

Teacher site

This site called Storytelling shows a new approach to teaching vocabulary through use of "acting out" vocabulary to improve retention.

This is from a site called Magic Theatre which describes available software for teaching language through storytelling and "moviemaking".

This site describes folktales retold in contemporary settings and language for use in language instruction.

This site called New Tales from Old describes an approach to teaching story creation by using recurring motifs.

Vocabulary Cartoons shows a collection of rhyming word association and visual mnemonics for enhancing vocabulary acquisition (available for purchase).

CATAPULT (slingshot)

"Testing the first CAT CATAPULT."

Focusing on Words provides a source of information for enhancement of English-vocabulary skills using selected excerpts, poems, and myths often with reference to Latin and Greek elements.

Some thoughts about language learning can be found in Wittgenstein's Language Games.

A site illustrating Howard Gardner's model of the Eight Intelligences as applied to teaching approaches on the subject of the brain may be found here: Recognizing Multiple Intelligences in Class.

Here is a lesson plan for teaching vocabulary relating to the senses TASTE and SMELL.

Vocabulary list	Sample items
odor	lemon
aroma	garlic
fragrance	vinegar
flavor	perfume
scent	alcohol
odorless	coffee
tasteless	soap
bland	flowers
pungent	cheese
acrid/bitter	chocolate
sour/acidic	cigarette butt
sweet	vanilla
floral	cinnamon
fruity	mint
salty	pepper
smoky	sugar
tangy	salt
musty	ammonia
spicy	celery

Procedure:
1. Student tastes or smells sample item.
2. Student matches item to adjective (vocabulary)
3. To organize data student can mark findings on grid-like checklist.
4. Student examines checklist to find and discuss similarities/differences between items and devise possible categories
5. Group discussion: Students will name other things that have identifiable tastes or smells and describe them using new vocabulary.

Rationale:

Hands on approach to teaching of vocabulary --uses multiple senses--more concrete presentation should improve understanding and retention.