This week, the class took a Unit 1 Vocabulary Quiz in class. After the quiz, we discussed a number of interesting ideas about learning vocabulary.

Notes:

To figure out an idiom, you might examine the individual words and their meanings.

Another way is to use the clues in the sentence AND the clues from life.

The choice between "demand" and "ask" depends on noticing the man was "angry" and what it means to be angry. (from the quiz)

The women in the class almost all got "fragrance" correct. However, only about one half of the men knew it. Why? Because of the life experience you have.

Context is often said to be important to vocabulary and reading. When reading for context, consider the sentences both before and after the sentence you are reading AND the sentence and its words around the word you are reading.

An antonym (anti is against, so maybe antonym is something against or maybe opposite) It is better to be sure, BUT it is next best to be a good guesser.

Base is the opposite of acid. He is a base man. (homographs)

I book my flight. I read a book. (homographs)

Questions about Vocabulary Learning:

What is the effect of TV on our literacy?

Are we reading enough?

How many books are found in our own homes?

Is there a connection between level of education and wealth and success in reading and so on?

How is it we learn vocabulary? Usually by reading. We noticed that, for example, Chinese is learned more by memorization than by reading. Can we learn English in the same way, by memorization?

Is it possible to translate complicated ideas from one language to another exactly? Sometimes, but often something is lost in the translation.

How much does your personality influence your success at learning this new language? A great deal, I think.

 

 

 

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