We all know how important it is to improve our vocabulary when studying English as a foreign language. But how can we teach new words to our students more effectively? And how can we help ensure they really stick? 

In the third video of this series, Rubens Heredia shares five tips to make sure that students learn and remember new vocabulary, including ways to use games to present and practise vocabulary, go beyond word level, practise and review vocabulary frequently, allowing learners take control, and not ignoring emergent lexis.

This blog post is packed full of helpful ideas and activities so we would love to hear how you get on with Ruben’s latest tips in your teaching, and whether there is anything else you think should be added to the list. Please add your feedback and ideas in the comments or via our social media.

 

Useful references

Brown, H. D. (2007). Teaching by principles: an interactive approach to language pedagogy (3rd edition.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.

Cohen, J. (2014). ‘It’s on the cards’. English Teaching professional (91).

Lowe, C. (2021). ‘Lexical chunks 1: vocabulary for International English’. English Teaching professional (136).

Schmitt, N. (2017). ‘Vocabulary: principles and practice’. English Teaching professional (109).