Vocabulary drills, even when taught through interesting instruction, become boring for any student, especially those with limited expertise in language study. Integrating games or activities asking students to physically move help keep minds alert. A focus on fun, even when acquiring a brand new set of vocabulary, also helps reduce boredom.
Expanding vocabulary helps non-native speakers move quickly into becoming active participants in conversation, but asking students to learn too many new words in a short time pushes students into vocabulary overload. Limiting vocabulary to three to four words linked to a physical activity, lesson or event helps students feel like they have a head above the water line. Repeat a vocabulary word on lists every other week to reinforce prior learning and remind students of how much the class is learning.
While the terms "escalator" and "alligator" have distinct differences for native English speakers, the two terms appear similar to students not familiar with the language. Grouping similar terms together in teaching vocabulary through literature only compounds problems. Teachers using the literature approach to teaching ESL must carefully evaluate the core education classroom curriculum for potential confusion in grouping similar sounding vocabulary terms.
Students become frustrated when learning vocabulary words with multiple meanings. This adds confusion when using the word in conversation. Begin instruction with clear-cut words with one distinct meaning before adding complex words with multiple meanings later in the semester or language program, and focus on words with a practical meaning, rather than obscure definitions.
One of the most difficult teaching problems that ESL teachers face is designing appropriate instruction for students for the context of the vocabulary word. Anticipating how to teach the appropriateness of vocabulary involves highlighting a word list for the course and emphasizing understanding the meaning within a specific context. This job vexes a number of ESL teachers, but the easiest way to address the problem rests with selecting words for practical vocabulary practice that stress contextual situations, such as acting out real-world situations to practice vocabulary and the English-language acquisition.
Idioms and unusual word groupings pose major problems for ESL teachers and well-trained professionals anticipate that students want to learn slang terms and idioms to blend in with native speakers. Adding several popular slang words as part of the daily lesson helps students feel the language instruction provides practical uses for everyday chat with other students.