Some applied effective activities in teaching vocabulary for students in grade 12 at bim son high school

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO THANH HÓA
TRƯỜNG THPT BỈM SƠN
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SÁNG KIẾN KINH NGHIỆM
“SOME APPLIED EFFECTIVE ACTIVITIES IN TEACHING VOCABULARY FOR STUDENTS IN GRADE 12 AT BIM SON HIGH SCHOOL”
Người thực hiện: Trương Thị Thu Hiền
Chức vụ: Giáo viên
Đơn vị công tác: Trường THPT Bỉm Sơn
SKKN thuộc môn: Tiếng Anh
NĂM HỌC 2017 - 2018
A. INTRODUCTION
1. Reason. 
Implementing innovation in teaching is the key task that each teacher is trying to cary out in the teaching process. “With the goal of student-centered (students- centered), promoting positive students, teachers need to find out many practical activities and effective method to help students promote their activities while students feel the excitement, charm in every lesson” . Paragraph: “With the goal every lesson” is quoted from Reference book item 1
[1]
However, one of the subjects that students find most difficult subjects is English. It can be said in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, reading skill is said to be the most difficult but interesting, most exciting. Many new children feel embarrassed in class because of inabudunt newwords. 
The cause of this phenomenon is due to their vocabulary is very limited, the application of grammatical structures is still weak, participatory learning activities in pairs, groups are limited because of a lack of confidence in learning. Students enlist talk or dull to you along with their groups. Most students do not have conditions to learn a foreign language teaching and the organization of learning activities how to match knowledge and keep a breast of lessons suitable for each subject in each grade student is a very difficult problem. Especially this year students will take part in two exams in one. 
From that experience ourselves through real information taught in class, through hours of extensive project experience academic colleagues I found it necessary to organize innovative activities for student groups to study each lesson more details more abundant, charismatic, attractive students for each lesson help maximize efficiency, help students acquire knowledge. Thereby they can accumulate, build their communication skills, confidence to serve for learning another language skills and help them learn with their enthusiast. Especially in the G.C.S.E students have to do reading comprehensions with the amount of newwords. They have to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST / OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s). How to make them become more self-confident when they face to this problem? 
Comparing the results of their study in the first semester to semester II was found that they were very much real progress. They have chosen the method of actively learning, participating in groups effectively, more confident. Even more important is the joy they have found inspiration, passion, more love in English.
To help the groups operate more effectively in the teaching of English more boldly I study the topic: “SOME APPLIED EFFECTIVE ACTIVITIES IN TEACHING VOCABULARY FOR STUDENTS IN GRADE 12 AT BIM SON HIGH SCHOOL”
2. Theory. 
In each reading skill, teachers don’t have to introduce not many vocabulary to students. They must demontrate the words which are necessary for students. Teachers should choose within 7 - 9 newwords to teach flexibly but they are active vocabulary. Students have to use these words in class more frequently to practise some skills basically. They should be used in the text, in their learning process at present or in the future. However, teacher shouldn’t repeat them frequently because it’s time-consuming and boring so teachers have to determine the important new words they are going to teach students. Especially when teachers teach sudents a vocabulary which means they have to introduce the pronunciation, meanings, word stress, word position, word form and students use it as much as possible in order not to become a dead word. 
From the results obtained, the following I would like to present some challenges that teachers and Bim Son high school students block encounter in the use of active groups. Since then give some conclusions and solutions to overcome this. The use of active groups like the matching of students and the requirements of each skill of the English subject depends on the amount of time of 45 minutes for each item that is the reason why I choose and apply those practices different for each different item and each target different students of each teacher in the school.
	Students have to know what a word sounds like its pronunciation and what it looks like its spelling. Besides these we have to teach students grammar, collocation and aspects of meaning like denotation, connotation, appropriateness or formality, meaning relationships and word formation. 
3. Practical. 
 Through the years we have conducted many lessons carefully. We select the suitable mehod to teach vocabulary to teach students efectively. 
B. CONTENT
I. Techniques for teaching vocabulary. 
 There are many ways of teaching new vocabulary. 
I.1. Visuals. 
 Teacher gives a picture about the word she is going to teach and tell students about the meaning. 
I.2. Mime. 
Teacher can use the gestures to mime. 
Example: cold
Teacher: mimes feeling cold. 
Teacher asks: How do I feel?
Example: (to) fly a kite
Teacher: mimes flying a kite
Teacher asks: What am I doing?
I.3. Realia. 
Example: bananas (countable noun), rice (uncountable noun)
Teacher brings real bananas and rice into class. 
Teacher asks: what’s this? 
I.4. Situation / Explaination. 
Example: honest
Teacher explains: I don’t tell lies. I don’t cheat in the exam. I tell the truth. 
Teacher asks: “What am I? Tell me the words in Vietnamese”. Good. Now listen to it in English “honest”. 
I.5. Example.
Example: furniture (v)
Teacher lists examples of furniture: tables, chairs, beds - these are all furniture. Please give me another example of furniture. 
Example: complain (v)
Teacher says: “ The bed is too hard. I don’t like it. The room is too small. It’s no good. How few clothes I’ve got”
Teacher asks: What am I doing?
I.6. Synonym / Antonym. 
Example: intelligent
Teacher asks: “What’s another word for clever?” or “ What’s the opposite of stupid?”
I.7. Translation. 
Example: (to) forget
Teacher asks students : How do you say “quên” in English? 
 : Adapted from ELTTP Methodology Course, Book one, pp. 1-2 is quoted in from item 7.
II. Applying. 
I have used many techniques to teach students at Bim Son high school but I found that the followings are the most effective ways to help students practice the vocabulary.
II.1. Gap filling. 
This kind of activity is aimed to check the understanding and usage of vocabulary. In this one, students have to use the correct form of the words to fill in the blanks. Students have to choose the most suitable answer for each one. 
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK: 
UNIT 1: HOME LIFE 
A. READING
close
Complete each of the sentences with the correct form of the words. 
support
responsible
care
 work on a night shift
take out
 willingness
 obedience
mischievousness
Hand - outs: 
1. Mai is very ..girl.
2. He takes the for running the shop.
3. I’m got 2 younger brothers. They’re quite intelligent but.
4. We’re very .and very.
5. My father is always.. to join hands with cooking.
6. Everyday I have to .the garbage.
7. My mother is a nurse. She has to.
* Teacher’s work:
- Deliver the handouts to students. 
- Asks students to give the correct form of the words to fill in the gaps. 
- Guide students how to define the correct form of the words. 
- Students can do this kind of activity individually or in groups. 
- Checks and encourage them by giving good marks if they do well. 
Suggested answers. 
1. caring 2. responsibility 
3. mischievous 4. close-knit family / supportive. 
5. willing 6. take out 7. work on a night shift 
II.2. Pictures and cards. 
- This kind of activity is aimed to guess the meanings of words or phrases based on the given pictures and cards. 
- Students are divided into 2 teams / groups. They have to observe the pictures and the cards carefully and then go to the board and stick the cards on the corresponding ones. 
- If students do well, teacher will give them good marks to encourage them. 
- Students will feel motivated and stimulated because they are always eager to get god marks competively and progressively. 
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK:
UNIT 3: WAYS OF SOCIALIZING. 
A. READING
CARDS: 
Look at the non-verbal communication in pictures in English and then match them with corresponding cards.
 Whistle
Clap hands
Wave to somebody
Jump and down
Nod ( slightly)
Raise hands
Shake hands
Point to 
Catch one’s eyes
PICTURES: 
 P1 P2 
 P3 P4 
 P5 P6 
 P7 P8
 P9 : Pictures about the non-verbal communication is quoted in from item 8.
 [7] 	 
Suggested answers. 
- Picture 1: Whistle
- Picture 2: Clap hands
- Picture 3: Point to somebody
- Picture 4: Raise hands
- Picture 5: Jump up and down
- Picture 6: Nod (slightly)
- Picture 7: Shake hands
- Picture 8: Wave to somebody
- Picture 9: Catch one’s eyes
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK:
UNIT 1: HOME LIFE
A. READING
Look at the cards in English and then match them with corresponding pictures. 
mischievous
caring
CARDS: 
take out THE GARBAGE
close - knit family
WASH DISHES
work on a night shift
GIVE A HAND WITH 
RUSH TO THE MARKET
THE DINNER IS READY
PICTURES: 
 P1 
 P2
 P3 
P4
P5
P6
P7
P8
P9 Pictures about home life is quoted from referce book item 7
 [7]
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
- Picture 1: rush to the market
- Picture 2: the dinner is ready
- Picture 3: give a hand with
- Picture 4: take out the gabage
- Picture 5: wash dishes
- Picture 6: work on a night shift
- Picture 7: mischievous 
- Picture 8: caring
- Picture 9: close - knit family 
II.3. Synonyms / Antonyms. 
- This kind of activity is aimed to review some vocabulary which students have just learned. The teacher also check the meanings and the synonyms/ antonyms of the words. 
- Teacher reads Vietnamese words and then students find out the synonyms/ antonyms of them as quickly as possible. They can divide students into 2 teams/ groups and let them play this kind of game. 
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK:
UNIT 10: ENDANGERED SPECIES. 
A. READING
Listen and then find each pair of synonyms from the following.
 Extinction
Pollution
 Set up
Plant and animal sPECIEs
Pass laws
Maintain
VARIETY
Conservation
MARSHLAND 
REDUCE 
 THE EARTH 
 Establish
 Abolition
WETLAND
 Preservation
 Contamination
 The globe
 Flora & fauna
 Enact laws 
diversity
DIMINISH
WETLAND
* Teacher (says the words in Vietnamese and the students say it in English)
Teacher: 1. Kết thúc	
Students:
Stop
Finish
* Teacher’s work:
- Stick the words on the board. 
- Read the words in Vietnamese, asks students to find out the synonyms. 
- Check and give students good marks if they do well. 
- Asks students to read in chorus and then asks some individuals up to read. Teacher listens and then corrects mistake if they have made. 
SUGGESTED ANSWERS Sugested answers is quoted from reference book item 3.
[3]:
Number
VIETNAMESE
SYNONYMS
1
Sự ô nhiễm
POLLUTION
CONTAMINATION
2
Sự tuyệt chủng
EXTINCTION
ABOLITION
3
Thành lập
SET UP
ESTABLISH
4
Sự bảo tồn
CONSERVATION
PRESERVATION
5
Duy trì, tiếp tục
MAINTAIN
CONTINUE
6
Sự đa dạng
VARIETY
DIVERSITY
7
Ban hành luật
ENACTS LAWS
PASS LAWS
8
Giảm bớt
REDUCE
DIMINISH
9
Vùng đầm lầy
MARSHLAND
WETLAND
10
Thực vật và động vật
PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES
FLORA AND FAUNA 
II.4. Definition. 
 - This kind of activity is aimed to help students know the meanings of the word by using the definition about that one. Teacher can use different dictionaries to give the difinition to students exactly and easily understand. 
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK:
UNIT 10: ENDANGERED SPECIES. 
A. READING
(Task 1: Page 108). The words in column A all appear in the passage. Match each of them with a suitable definition in column. Illustrated unit 10: Engdangered species from 1 to 4 is quoted from item 4
[4] 
A
B
1. extinction
a. the natural environment in which a plant or animal lives
2. habitat
b. species of animal or plant that is in danger of / seriously at risk at extinction 
3. biodiversity
c. the act of preventing something from being lost, wasted, damaged or destroyed
4. conservation
d. the World
5. endangered species
e. a situation in which a plant, an animal, a way of life, ect, stops existing
6. vulnerable
f. a range of different things
7. enact laws
g. the existence of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants which make a balanced environment
8. the Globe
h. is the body of a law adopted by the people or legislative bodies. 
9. diversity
i. able to be easily physically emotionlly, or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked. 
* Teacher’s work:
- Stick the small board which contains words and their definitions on the board. Teacher can also deliver the hand-outs to students. 
- Asks students to work in pairs, match the words in column A with a suitable definition in column B.
- Calls some pairs up to speak and practise pronunciation.
- Check and give students good marks if they do well. 
- Asks students to read in chorus and then asks some individuals up to read. Teacher listens and then corrects mistake if they have made. 
Sample:
A: What does the word stop mean?
B: It means come to an end. 
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
1.e 2.a 3.g 4.c 5 .b 6.i 7.h 8.d 9.f
II.5. Multiple choice. 
* Teacher’s work:
- Teacher asks students to work in group of four. 
- Teacher delivers the hand-outs to students and asks them to choose the coccrect answer by circling A, B, C or D. 
- Students work in groups in 4 minutes. Teacher calls some students up to speak.
- Check and give students good marks if they do well. 
Teacher listens and then corrects mistake if they have made. 
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK:
UNIT 1: HOME LIFE 
A: READING
Choose the best answer by circling the best meaning A, B, C or D. 
1. Everyday I have to look after my younger children.	
A. take care of B. keep up with C. get over	D. protect from
2. The boy is mischievous sometimes but hardworking.
A. intelligent B. industrious C. happy D. naughty
3. Our parents join hands to give us a nice house and a happy house.
A. shake hands B. give a hand C. raise hands D. wash hands
4. My mother is a very caring women. She takes the responsibility for running the household.
A. accountability B. reliability C. ability D. flexibility
5. Most of the time the boys are obedient and hardworking. 
A. solidar B. docile C. serious D. traditional 
6. My mother rushes to the market, hurries home so that the dinner is ready on the table by the time my dad gets home. 
A. prepared B. possible C. compulsory D. positive 
7. My father is willing to help my mother with the household chores.
A.satisfied B. enthusiastic C. peaceful D. stressful
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
1. A 2.D 3.B 4.A 5.B 6.A 7. B
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK: 
UNIT 6: FUTURE JOB. 
Choose the best answer by circling the best meaning A, B, C or D. 
1. Before the inteview, you have to send a letter of application your resumes to the company.
A. Curriculum Vitae B. certificate C. letter D. diploma
2. You should find out as much as possible about the job and the vacancy.
A. joyness B. congratulatuions C. position D. emptiness
3. If you know something about the more technique aspects of the job, admit it & stress that are willing to learn.
A. boring B. enthusiastic C. despressing D. exhausted
4. Don’t forget to dress neatly and formally.
A. particularly B.elegantly C. carefully D. potentially
5. You should show your best side, your keeness to work and your sense of responsibility.
A. interests B. boredness C. tiredness D. understandings
6. You should jot down your qualifications and experience which relate to the job.
A. sum up B. quick at C. note down D.recover from
7. Don’t forget to say goodbye to the interviewer before leaving the office
A. Don’t remind B. Ask C. Remember D. Want
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
1. A 2.D 3.B 4.B 5.A 6.C 7. C
II.6. Matching. 
- This kind of activity is aimed to help students know the meanings of the word by using the definition about that one iu corresponding columns. Teacher can use different dictionaries to give the difinition to students exactly and easily understand. 
- Students can do this activity and then check their answers with partners. 
- Teacher calls some students up to speak and correct mistake if they have. 
- Encourage them by giving good marks. 
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK: 
Unit 13: THE 22nd SEA GAMES
Task 1 (P140): Give the Vietnamese equivalents to the following words and phrases. Illustrated unit 13: The 22nd SEA GAMES from 1 to 6 is quoted from item 5
 [5]
Words / Phrases
Vietnamese equivalents
1. Sports enthusiast
a. Đoàn kết
2. Solidarity
b. Tinh thần cao
3. Title
c. Đồng bào
4. Bodybuilding
d. Người say mê thể thao
5. High spirits
e. Đồng hợp tác
6. Countrymen
f. Thể dục thể hình
7. Co - operation
g. Tiện nghi
8. Facility 
h. Danh hiệu
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
1. d	2. a	 3.	h	 4.	f	
5. b	6. c	 7. e 	 8.	g	
* ILLUSTRATED UNIT IN ENGLISH 12 TEXTBOOK: 
Unit 15: WOMEN IN SOCIETY 
Task 1 (P163): Give the Vietnamese equivalents to the following words and phrases.
Words / Phrases
Vietnamese equivalents
1. Human civilization
a. Năng lực trí tuệ
2. Childbearing
b. Việc chăm sóc gia đình
3. Involvement
c. Cơ hội việc làm
4. Age of Enlightenment 
d. Phân biệt, đối xử
5. Deep-seated cultural beliefs
e. Việc sinh con
6. Homemaking
f. Nền văn minh nhân loại
7. Intellectual ability
g. Thời đại khai sáng
8. Equal work opportunity
h. Những niềm tin ăn sâu vào tiềm thức
9. Discriminate
i. Sự tham gia
SUGGESTED ANSWERS:
1. f	2. e	3. i	4. g	5. h	
6. b	7. a 	8. c	9. d	
III. Results. 
I had a test for students to do in class.Both the result and the motivation were good. 
Total students
Excellent
Very good
Good
Average
Poor
45
15
20
10
0
0
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
1. She was brought up in a well - off family. She can’t understand the problems we are facing. 
A. poor 	 B. miserable 	 C. wealthy 	 D. kind 
2. There is a set of expensive spoons, forks and knives in the cupboard.
A. cutlery	B. instrument	 C. equipment	 	D. utensil
3. Sports and festivals form an integral part of every human society.
A. informative 	B. delighted 	 C. exciting 	D. essential
Keys: 1. C 2. D 3. D
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the word (s) OPPOSITE in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions.
1. If he gets to university, his parents will be walking on air.
A. disgusted	B. promising	 C. upset	 D. hopeful
2. We’re contented with what we do because we love working and we love our children. 
A. impossible	 B. satisfied	C. irresponsible	D. dissatisfied 
Keys: 1. C 2. D
Give the correct part of speech for each sentence. 
1. Most of the _________ have lived here all their lives. (village)
2. The news media can be ________into two general categories of print media and electronic media. (class) 
3. Newspaper and magazine are ________read all over the world. (wide)
4. We are in regular ______with each other by telephone or letter. (communicate)
5. What makes a computer such a ___________device? 	 (miracle)
Keys: 1. villagers 2. classified 3. widely 
 4. communication 5. miraculous
Match the word in column A with its synonym in column B. 
Column A
Column B
1. diversity
a. reply
2. flat
b. home for the aged