The Effective
strategies for teaching science vocabulary
Vocabulary is one of the essential language
components in studying English. If people have less vocabulary, they not only
cannot understand others saying, but also cannot make sentences to transfer
their messages to the other people. Thus, they will understand English expressions
if they have enough vocabularies. Vocabulary is needed to improve our language
skills. Without grammar, very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed. When
we just learn about grammar without learning vocabulary, we cannot express
anything. Because of that learning vocabulary is very important to improve our language
skill. If we spend most of our time studying grammar, our English will not
improve very much. we will see most improvement, if we learn more words and
expressions. We can say very little with grammar, but we can say almost
anything with words. Without vocabulary, no one know what have to say. People
need and use vocabulary to communicate in first language. Therefore, we also
need vocabulary to learn a new language as foreign language that is English. It
is very important to learn English vocabulary in order to be able to master the
language. Vocabulary is important aspect in our life. Everyday we name objects,
an event, and express our feeling using words.
Ø The
strategies for teaching science vocabulary:
1. Time to talk
It is important to promote students’
dialogue as they have instructional conversations. We need to provide students
with opportunities to use their colloquial language and translate back and forth
with scientific and technical terms.
2. Giving instructions
We can support students’ information
processing by supplementing auditory information with visual clues. When we can
provide students with multi-sensory experiences observing and communicating, it
helps all students, especially emerging readers and English language learners.
3. Reading science text cards
Text cards help students interact with
words and their meanings. Teachers can create science text cards by writing
statements about science concepts on index cards. Working individually or in
small groups, students discuss the statements before sorting.
4. Word lists/ word
banks
Students can look at the written words as
teachers use them during class discussions, and teachers should encourage
students to use the language of science in their verbal and written
communication.
5. Word games
Traditional games can be adapted to help
students experience the language of science. For advanced students, making
their own games using science vocabulary promotes in-depth understanding of
words and their meanings.
6. Word parts
Teachers can reinforce the structure of
words as students identify and interpret prefix, suffix, base word and their
meanings:
·
photosynthesis
·
metamorphosis
7. Multiple meaning words
Words with multiple meanings can be
confusing for students proficient in English and are especially troublesome for
English language learners. It is important to discuss these meanings with
students. When we confuse common definitions with meanings used in science,
students’ understanding suffers.
8. Graphic organizers
When students interact with science words
in multiple ways, they are able to approach words and their meanings more
fully. Graphic organizers can help to present words with a range of contextual
information.
