Post by Ritva Paivomaa on Nov 8, 2004 4:38:53 GMT -5
A group of mine wants to do some work on how to learn words. For that purpose I wrote the following guidelines and suggestions. A part of our material is missing as I only have it on paper and, unfortunately, don't have a good link to give to you where they would give you clear advice as to how to learn words. But if I one day learn to use a scanner, I could scan those guidelines to you here. Again something new I should learn about these computers!!
By the way, good links to some advice as to how to read texts in a foreign language are www.avoin.helsinki.fi/opas/tai_kielitaito.htm and www.avoin.helsinki.fi/opas/tai_lukeminen.htm . See for yourselves! And give us your comments please.
And, have you tested any dictionaries on the net. I haven't. But could you please give me your opinions of the following e-dictionaries or just try some of them. www.suomenenglanninopettajat.fi/linkit.html
And here are some ideas as to how to learn words:
Päivömaa 2004
HOW TO LEARN WORDS
Revision is the mother of learning
- and, revision is the grandmother of language learning
Use the new word in the right context. A word by itself is very lonely and difficult to remember. If the word is used by itself, then link it with a familiar word in your native language or with a familiar word in any language you know, eg. the Irish 'cheers' resembles the English 'slander' (=herjaus!!); a new Finnish word (some ten years ago) 'disketti' resembles the Finnish 'tiskirätti'.
So, use the new word in the right context. Make a sentence, preferably many sentences where the word can be used. If you find the word in a text, the text gives you at least one example of how to use the word. A good dictionary gives you more examples as to how to use the word.
If you want to use the word when speaking English, use it when speaking English. Also, practise the pronunciation.
And remember, revision is the grandmother of language learning. Keep coming back to your new words and keep using them.
You can also play with your new words. The main thing is that you keep revising them. However, revision need not be boring. You can revise your new words in different ways - find the best and most inspiring (!?) ways for yourself. Remember that we are different.
1* Choose the words you want to learn. Make a list of them. Also, write at least one sentence where you use the word. Eg. found, founded, founded = perustaa. When was Tampere founded? Who was Tampere founded by? Tampere was founded by Gustav III (King of Sweden and Regent of Finland at the time).
2* Flashcards/ pieces of paper: (PS. You can do the following activities without flashcards, too)
Suomi - English
On one side, write 'perustaa', on the other side 'found, founded, founded' or 'found , regular verb' + 'When was Tampere founded?' (at least one sentence, more if you like). Add phonetic script or something to help pronunciation if necessary.
All English
On one side, write 'found, regular verb', on the other side 'When was Tampere _____ed? Tampere was ______ed in 1779/ by Gustav III'
You can play with these flashcards in a number of ways.
2.1. The 'traditional' vocabulary testing (sanastokysely). But always check that you can also use the word in a sentence. You can even keep the new words in your left-hand side pocket and after you have learnt the word, put it in your right-hand side pocket. In a few days time check if you still remember the word. If not, put it back into you left-hand side pocket and so on. Nice activity when waiting for the bus, for example!!(if it's not too cold!)
2.2. In class: Give your words to your pair. Your pair asks you your words and vice versa. (The same can be done with just the word lists).
2.3. In class: 'Simple alias': Lay out your words in front of you. Explain in other words one of the words in front of you. Your pair tries to guess which word you are explaining.
2.4. Make little 'stories' or fragments of 'conversation' where you use 5 of your new words. Do that in writing or tell the 'stories' to yourself in front of the toilet mirror. (Speak aloud! = Puhu ääneen!) Or tell those 'stories' to yourself quietly, only in your mind while enjoying a lovely, leisurely walk out of doors.
2.5. In class: Have your word pile in front of you. Speak about something with your pair. Pick up a word and use it in your conversation when possible.
2.6. In class: Make a play in which you use your new words. Act it out.
2.7. Play a board game 'Snakes and ladders'. Lay out your words in the squares. When you go to a square, you should translate the word there or make a sentence out of it.
Some other games with these words. What? Memory game, 'laiva on lastattu', joukkueviestikilpailu, ...
2.8. In class: Shopping for words (jumble sale)
3* Categories: Put your new words into categories, eg. nouns, verbs, adjectives, linking words (sanaluokat), theme (education, freetime activities, work...)
4* Write 'Tampere was founded in 1779.' on a big sheet of paper. Highlight the word you want to learn. Have an exhibition of these sentences on the wall. (Or on small pieces of paper, on your fridge door). The exhibition should be changing. Of course, later on you can have 'retrospective exhibitions'.
5* Act out your new words with feeling. Link the word with a gesture or body language.
In class: There is an exhibition of your new important words used in sentences. Mime one of the sentences. Your pair tries to guess which sentence you are miming.
6* Make a song where you use your new words. You can, for example, use some well-known tune/melody (eg. Are you sleeping, Brother John? or What shall we do with the drunken sailor? or Ukko Noah)
The City of Tampere Song (to the tune of Are you sleeping)
:,: Tampere was founded :,:
:,: in 1779 :,:
:,: Finland was in those days :,:
:,: part of Sweden :,:
:,: Tampere Cathedral :,:
:,: was designed by Lars Sonck :,:
:,: altarpiece 'The Resurrection' :,:
:,: is beautiful :,:
:,: The stained glass windows :,:
:,: in the church :,:
:,: were made by Hugo Simberg :,:
:,: and the Wounded Angel, too. :,:
:,: How about Tampere Hall :,:
When was it built?
What is it for?
It is a big concert hall
and a congress centre
built in the 90s
or in the 1980s.
By the way, good links to some advice as to how to read texts in a foreign language are www.avoin.helsinki.fi/opas/tai_kielitaito.htm and www.avoin.helsinki.fi/opas/tai_lukeminen.htm . See for yourselves! And give us your comments please.
And, have you tested any dictionaries on the net. I haven't. But could you please give me your opinions of the following e-dictionaries or just try some of them. www.suomenenglanninopettajat.fi/linkit.html
And here are some ideas as to how to learn words:
Päivömaa 2004
HOW TO LEARN WORDS
Revision is the mother of learning
- and, revision is the grandmother of language learning
Use the new word in the right context. A word by itself is very lonely and difficult to remember. If the word is used by itself, then link it with a familiar word in your native language or with a familiar word in any language you know, eg. the Irish 'cheers' resembles the English 'slander' (=herjaus!!); a new Finnish word (some ten years ago) 'disketti' resembles the Finnish 'tiskirätti'.
So, use the new word in the right context. Make a sentence, preferably many sentences where the word can be used. If you find the word in a text, the text gives you at least one example of how to use the word. A good dictionary gives you more examples as to how to use the word.
If you want to use the word when speaking English, use it when speaking English. Also, practise the pronunciation.
And remember, revision is the grandmother of language learning. Keep coming back to your new words and keep using them.
You can also play with your new words. The main thing is that you keep revising them. However, revision need not be boring. You can revise your new words in different ways - find the best and most inspiring (!?) ways for yourself. Remember that we are different.
1* Choose the words you want to learn. Make a list of them. Also, write at least one sentence where you use the word. Eg. found, founded, founded = perustaa. When was Tampere founded? Who was Tampere founded by? Tampere was founded by Gustav III (King of Sweden and Regent of Finland at the time).
2* Flashcards/ pieces of paper: (PS. You can do the following activities without flashcards, too)
Suomi - English
On one side, write 'perustaa', on the other side 'found, founded, founded' or 'found , regular verb' + 'When was Tampere founded?' (at least one sentence, more if you like). Add phonetic script or something to help pronunciation if necessary.
All English
On one side, write 'found, regular verb', on the other side 'When was Tampere _____ed? Tampere was ______ed in 1779/ by Gustav III'
You can play with these flashcards in a number of ways.
2.1. The 'traditional' vocabulary testing (sanastokysely). But always check that you can also use the word in a sentence. You can even keep the new words in your left-hand side pocket and after you have learnt the word, put it in your right-hand side pocket. In a few days time check if you still remember the word. If not, put it back into you left-hand side pocket and so on. Nice activity when waiting for the bus, for example!!(if it's not too cold!)
2.2. In class: Give your words to your pair. Your pair asks you your words and vice versa. (The same can be done with just the word lists).
2.3. In class: 'Simple alias': Lay out your words in front of you. Explain in other words one of the words in front of you. Your pair tries to guess which word you are explaining.
2.4. Make little 'stories' or fragments of 'conversation' where you use 5 of your new words. Do that in writing or tell the 'stories' to yourself in front of the toilet mirror. (Speak aloud! = Puhu ääneen!) Or tell those 'stories' to yourself quietly, only in your mind while enjoying a lovely, leisurely walk out of doors.
2.5. In class: Have your word pile in front of you. Speak about something with your pair. Pick up a word and use it in your conversation when possible.
2.6. In class: Make a play in which you use your new words. Act it out.
2.7. Play a board game 'Snakes and ladders'. Lay out your words in the squares. When you go to a square, you should translate the word there or make a sentence out of it.
Some other games with these words. What? Memory game, 'laiva on lastattu', joukkueviestikilpailu, ...
2.8. In class: Shopping for words (jumble sale)
3* Categories: Put your new words into categories, eg. nouns, verbs, adjectives, linking words (sanaluokat), theme (education, freetime activities, work...)
4* Write 'Tampere was founded in 1779.' on a big sheet of paper. Highlight the word you want to learn. Have an exhibition of these sentences on the wall. (Or on small pieces of paper, on your fridge door). The exhibition should be changing. Of course, later on you can have 'retrospective exhibitions'.
5* Act out your new words with feeling. Link the word with a gesture or body language.
In class: There is an exhibition of your new important words used in sentences. Mime one of the sentences. Your pair tries to guess which sentence you are miming.
6* Make a song where you use your new words. You can, for example, use some well-known tune/melody (eg. Are you sleeping, Brother John? or What shall we do with the drunken sailor? or Ukko Noah)
The City of Tampere Song (to the tune of Are you sleeping)
:,: Tampere was founded :,:
:,: in 1779 :,:
:,: Finland was in those days :,:
:,: part of Sweden :,:
:,: Tampere Cathedral :,:
:,: was designed by Lars Sonck :,:
:,: altarpiece 'The Resurrection' :,:
:,: is beautiful :,:
:,: The stained glass windows :,:
:,: in the church :,:
:,: were made by Hugo Simberg :,:
:,: and the Wounded Angel, too. :,:
:,: How about Tampere Hall :,:
When was it built?
What is it for?
It is a big concert hall
and a congress centre
built in the 90s
or in the 1980s.