We all know that learning a new language requires vocabulary instruction, but what is the best approach? Which words should we teach? Which words are the most important? And how can we help students retain the academic vocabulary we teach them? I address these questions in today’s episode.

Language learning is not an overnight process, and vocabulary teaching is ongoing whether you work with exclusively newcomers or have long-term English learners. It is said that it takes learning a word seven times in different contexts for that word to become part of your vocabulary. 

There are simple ways teachers can intentionally incorporate content vocabulary before, during, and after an activity that will greatly improve their ESL students’ ability to understand the lesson and retain the vocabulary. I share a few of my favorite tools and activities as well as two well researched frameworks for introducing new words to your students that will take your vocabulary instruction to the next level. 

Here is what you will hear in this episode:

• 3 effective tools you can use to use to teach new vocabulary
• 2 research-based frameworks for vocabulary instruction that have been proven to increase the retention of academic vocabulary
• Ways to intentionally incorporate repetition and visual representations of new academic vocabulary into your classroom to support student learning
• Ideas for differentiating vocabulary instruction for students at different proficiency levels

As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!

Reminder - 10% of the proceeds from my sales in March 2022 will be donated to Unicef to benefit the people of Ukraine. 

• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• Teachable Platform - Courses and Workshops

You may also be interested in:

• Teaching Absolute Beginners: An ESL Teacher’s Handbook
• 25 Authentic Speaking Activities for Your ESL Classroom
• 3 Tips That Will Rock Your ESL Vocabulary Instruction
• Dr. Maria Calderon’s 7 Steps to Vocabulary Pre-teaching
• Marzano’s Six-Step Process for Teaching Vocabulary 
• Pixabay 
• A Speaking Game That Will Captivate Your ESL Students

The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 20% off when you join. 

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