Teaching vocabulary Key terminology

vocabulary skill Individual words or sets of words, e.g. homework, study, whiteboard, get dressed, be on time.

meaning What a word expresses

spelling write or say the letters of a word in their proper order

pronunciation enunciation, articulation, expression; manner of expression; accent, unique style of pronunciation belonging to an individual

Presentation Presentation noun, present verb

1. When the teacher introduces new language usually by focusing on it, often by using the board and speaking to the

whole class.

2. When a learner or learners gives a talk to their class or group.

Practice Controlled practice, restricted practice

When learners use the target language repeatedly and productively in situations in which they have little or no

choice of what language they use. The teacher and learners focus on accurate use of the target language.

Production Product writing

An approach to writing which involves analysing and then reproducing models of particular text types.

Productive skills

When learners produce language. Speaking and writing are productive skills.

Brainstorm To think of ideas (usually quickly) about a topic (often noting these down). This is often done as preparation before a

writing or speaking activity.

crossword puzzle A word game in which learners complete a grid. Learners write the answers to clues in the squares on the grid. It is

often used to review and consolidate vocabulary.

Flashcard A card with words, sentences or pictures on it. A teacher can use these to explain a situation, tell a story, teach

vocabulary etc. See cue card, prompt card.

ways of presenting/illustrating meaning – способы семантизации Presentation noun, present verb

1. When the teacher introduces new language usually by focusing on it, often by using the board and speaking to the

whole class.

2. When a learner or learners gives a talk to their class or group.

lexical set A group of words or phrases that are about the same content topic or subject, e.g. weather – storm, to rain, wind,

cloudy.

Teaching pronunciation Key terminology

standard pronunciation

sounds – vowels and consonants

intonation the way your voice goes up and down as you speak, especially at the end of what you say.

Stress – which words, or which parts of a word, you say loudest and longest

drill A technique teachers use for encouraging learners to practise language. It involves guided repetition or practice.

In a choral drill the teacher says a word or sentence and the learners repeat it together as a class.

In an individual drill the teacher says a word or sentence and one learner repeats it.

In a substitution drill the teacher provides a sentence and a different word or phrase which the learner must

use (or substitute) in exactly the same structure, e.g.

Teacher: I bought a book. Pen.

Learner: I bought a pen.

In a transformation drill the teacher says a word or a sentence and the learner answers by changing the

sentence into a new grammatical structure, e.g.

Teacher: I bought a pen. Didn’t

Learner: I didn’t buy a pen.

Teacher: I went to the cinema. Didn’t

Learner: I didn’t go to the cinema.