PL9L1 Red Flags

Relying solely on written definitions without visual aids, examples, or real-life connections. This can make it harder for students to grasp the meanings of new words.

Introducing new words without regular review and reinforcement. This can cause students to forget what they learned quickly.

Not providing enough opportunities for students to interact with and use new vocabulary in various contexts.

Focusing only on spelling and meaning without teaching correct punctuation. This can hinder students’ ability to use the words effectively in spoken language.

Teaching words in isolation without providing context or examples of how they are used in sentences can make it difficult for students to understand and remember them.

Introducing too many words at once. This can overwhelm students, often leading to confusion and reduced retention.

There are several traditional practices for teaching vocabulary that are not effective. Beware of:

Rote Memorization

Using Only Written Definitions

Lack of Context

Limited Interaction

Ignoring Pronunciation

Lack of Repetition and Review

Overloading with Too Many Words

Looking up words in a dictionary or copying definitions from the board to memorize. This leads to shallow learning and quick forgetting.

Red Flags for Teaching Vocabulary