Concept checking for vocabulary

1. Concept Checking for Vocabulary Jo Gakonga CELTA trainer elt-training.com

2. Swahili Mtoto Watoto

3. Another example… Mtu Watu

4. Meaning is Paramount ..and you need to check that they got it!

5. Teaching Vocabulary Put the new vocabulary in a clear context Explain/ clarify what it means

6. Teaching Vocabulary Put the new vocabulary in a clear context Explain/ clarify what it means Check that they understand.

7. What problems can you see with the following ways of checking meaning? What does ‘ b ait ’ mean? Do you all understand ‘ sensible ’? You all seem to understand ‘relative’

8. What does ‘bait’ mean?

9. What does ‘irony’ mean?

10. Do you all understand ‘sensible’?

11. How can we check that they understand? By asking (closed) questions that are easy to answer and prove that they understand.

12. Step 1 Identify the meaning of the word Step 2 Turn that meaning into a closed question with a short/ easy answer.

13. Example He managed to get to sleep. He tried to do something. It wasn’t easy. He succeeded

14. Now make these into questions.. He tried to do something. Did he try? (yes) It wasn’t easy. Was it easy? (no) He succeeded. Did he succeed? (yes)

15. And that’s all there is to it!

16. What’s wrong with this? H e didn't know if he was coming or going Was he coming? Was he going? Did he know?

17. What’s wrong with this? H e didn't know if he was coming or going He was confused. Was he confused?

18. Helpful Hint 1 Make sure that you are checking the MEANING

19. What’s wrong with this? A wardrobe. Is it made of wood? Is there one in your house?

20. What’s wrong with this? A wardrobe. Do you put food or clothes in a wardrobe? (clothes) Which room is it in? (bedroom) Show a picture – Is this a wardrobe? (yes)

21. Helpful Hint 2 Make sure that you are specific about the meaning.

22. What’s wrong with this? He wandered about the town. Did he wander about?

23. What’s wrong with this? He wandered about the town. Did he walk? (yes) Did he walk fast? (no) Did he have somewhere special to go? (no)

24. Helpful Hint 3 Don’t use the target language . in the question

25. What’s wrong with this? The conductor checked the tickets.   Did he verify or ascertain that they were in order?

26. What’s wrong with this? The conductor checked the tickets.   Did he look at the tickets? (yes) Did he want to know if the ticket was OK? (yes)

27. Helpful Hint 4 Grade the vocabulary that you use below the target language

28. What’s wrong with this? The LED indicator will turn off. What will turn off?

29. What’s wrong with this? The LED indicator will turn off. Show a picture – Is this an LED indicator? (yes) Is it a light? (yes) Is it big or small? (small)

30. Helpful Hint 5 Make sure that your questions target the right language

31. Now you try…… ‘Snow’ What does this word mean? Now change those statements into questions.

32. Possible CCQs Show a picture Is this snow? (yes)

33. Possible CCQs Or negative checking Is this snow? (no)

34. Possible CCQs Yes/ No questions Is it cold? (yes) Does it fall from the sky? (yes)

35. Possible CCQs Short answer questions What colour is it? (white) What time of year does it usually come? (winter) What sport can you do in it? (skiing)

36. Possible answers Either/or questions Is it hot or cold? (cold) Does it come in the winter or summer, usually? (winter)

37. Possible CCQs Personalised questions Do you get snow in your country?

38. Now try doing some on your own. Choose a word Identify its meaning Think of two or three CCQs Good luck!