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Creativity in teaching and learning: What, why, how?
Tag: TEFL
Learn Vocabulary in Chunks and not in isolation
I’d like to share an interesting article I read on the site New Indian Express
written by
Learn Vocabulary in Chunks and not in Isolation
In traditional classrooms, the focus has always been on teaching words in isolation. As a result, learners know the meanings of many words but they do not know how to use the words appropriately in context. Of late, enhancing learners’ knowledge of chunks of language is emphasised.
What are chunks? Chunks are groups of words or fixed expressions. When we speak or write, we use a lot of phrases, such as by the way, for example, as a result, on the other hand, a kind of, a lot of, at the moment, I mean, you know, at the end of the day, etc. These groups of words or phrases are called chunks of language. Why should learners be taught words in chunks? Research has proved that those who learn vocabulary in chunks learn a language better than those who learn words in isolation. Learners retain vocabulary better when they learn chunks.
Michael Lewis, known for advocating the lexical approach to language teaching, says that native speakers of any language have memorised hundreds of chunks to produce fluent and accurate speech. It is important to expose learners to real communication or authentic speech exchanges in order to help them develop their communication skills.
Knowledge of individual words is essential but what is more important and useful is the knowledge of how to use the words in appropriate contexts. Take the word ‘take’ for example. This word has over a hundred different meanings though the basic meaning is ‘to move something or somebody from one place to another’.
When ‘take’ collocates with different nouns, the meaning of ‘take’ in each ‘take+noun’ collocation is different. Look at these examples: take a bus, take a minute, take a test, take advice, take steps, take offense, take pity, take cover, take heart, take the axe to. Here are the meanings of some of the above ‘take’ collocations:
• take offence: to feel upset because of something someone has said or done
• take pity: to show sympathy for someone because they are in a bad situation
• take the axe to something: to make drastic cuts, particularly in workforce
In the English language there are many phrases and idioms in which the word ‘all’ is part of them. Here are some of the set phrases with ‘all’ and their meanings:
• all balled up: stuck or confused…
• all day long: during the length of the entire day…
• all set: ready: prepared
• all shot to hell: broken; damaged
• all skin and bones: too thin
Chunks appear in many ways: as collocations and idioms, in set phrases (good luck, all the best) and in ‘discourse markers’ (‘as far as I know, by the way).
Source : New Indian Express – Education
Average or Beautiful || How do you perceive yourself?
Watch the following video :
Vocabulary to learn after watching the video :
- It was my choice
- We had an option of two pathways to walk, and they led to two doorways
- Be self-conscious of how you perceive yourself
- If it lines up with how the rest of the world perceives you
- I didn’t even hesitate
- It was different from what I live
- What’s constantly bombarded at me, What I’m being told that I should accept
- I had rated myself average, and nobody else
- My mum just pulled me over to the beautiful door
- It was quite a triumphant feeling; it was like telling the world I think I’m beautiful
- I just wished more young women realized it
- Next time I look in the mirror I will see somebody beautiful looking back at me
- Beautiful is a great word, so why not see what’s on the other side of that
Stylish Hairstyle – Twist Around Side Braid
Watch the following video :
Vocabulary to learn after watching the video :
It feels like spring time
If you’re on the go
I don’t spend a lot of time doing my hair
Some hair elastic bands
Pulling my hair on one side
Put it in a pony tail
Divide this into two, take the ends and then pull them through this opening
Work my way down
Repeat the first steps
Split the hair in two
Grab the end and then pull it through the opening
Pull it through the other side
You can even do this in class while you’re listening to your teacher
It’s super fast and easy
Perfect for everyday
Birdwatching – Sights and Sounds
What is Birdwatching ?
Birdwatching or birding, in its most basic sense, is the recreational hobby of observing species of wild birds, including their physical characteristics and behavior. In reality, birding is much more than a simple hobby and there are many benefits of birding that can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced birders.
Watch the following video :
Vocabulary to learn after watching the video :
The RSPB reserve at Tichwell Marsh, is one of the premier nature reserves in Britain
This DVD looks at its wild life throughout the year
Beginning on the 1st of January, moving through winter, into spring, then summer, followed by the autumn migration
Here’s just a brief sample of the sights and sounds of Tichwell
Are you a Storm Chaser ?
Watch the following video :
Vocabulary to learn after watching the video :
With gusts up to 80 miles an hour
It’s firing
A Storm Chase
Fighting it out
It’s like a hundred year storm
It’s wild, really wild out there
It’s so windy it’s hard to hold on to the sail
The waves are really big
Sharing all those missions with all those great riders and good friends
It’s amazing
Once in a lifetime
Homemade Potato Chips – A great snack for when you’re watching movies
Vocabulary to learn after the video :
- Everybodys all time favourite snacks
- Homemade potato chips
- They are so much nicer than the store bought ones
- So let’s get started
- Low starch potato
- Grab your slicer and slice the potatoes into fairly thin strips
- So the slicer makes your life a lot easier
- Get out as much starch as possible
- Put the potatoes into a collander and give them a good rinse
- Add in a couple of tablespoons of salt
- Leve them set for about 30 minutes
- Set them on a paper towel
- Pat them down
- You want them as dry as possible
- If it sizzles up you know the oil is ready
- You can use a deep frier if you have one
- Just until they turn a nice golden brown
- Frying by far produces the best results for me
- Season them up
- You can use whatever your taste buds are caling out for
- A great snack for when you are watching movies
Mark Wood || Polar Explorer
Thank you Mark for such an inspirational lesson !
Watch the following video :
Vocabulary to learn after watching video :
- Standing at just above 4.700 m and you can see the clouds
- As loud as you can
- Wave your hands in the air
- 1 ..2 .. 3 .. go
- Mark Wood has reached the South Pole completing the first leg of his solo challenge
- 700 miles walk across Antarctica took Mark 50 days to complete in temperatures as low as -50 degrees celsius
- Nothing around, as you can see
- Completely alone
- Listen to the silence
- How many times can you say that in your life
The Hobbit teaches us air safety when flying with Air New Zealand
Watch the following video :
Vocabulary to learn after watching the video :
- To guide you on your journey
- Listen very carefully
- Fasten your seat belt low across your hips
- Oxygen mask
- Place over your nose and mouth
- Plenty of oxygen flowing through freely
- Take off or landing
- Sit upright
- Keep your feet firmly on the floor
- Life jackets
- Economy class
- Inflate your life jacket
- Electronic devices
- Forbidden territory as it is dangerous
- For more information
- Please refer to your safety card
- Or ask one of the flight attendants
- Thank you for embarking upon your journey with Air New Zealand
- May your path always be guided by the light of the stars
- And may the future bestow upon you all the happiness and adventure
Vocabulary in Chunks 
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