Research on English Vocabulary Teaching Methods in Senior High School 高中英语词汇教学的策略研究.doc

Research on English Vocabulary Teaching Methods in Senior High SchoolBy A thesissubmitted to the Foreign Language and Literature Department ofBaoji University of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment ofthe requirement for the degree ofBACHELOR OF ARTSinENGLISH LANGUAGEBaoji, ShannxiMay, 2012Research on English Vocabulary Teaching Methods in Senior High SchoolAbstract:Vocabulary is the basic element of language learning.The majority of high school students agree that the shortage of vocabulary is one of the biggest problems in English learning.For most students poor vocabulary is still a main factor, which prevent them from improving their English.Many high school students spend much time and energy in the study of English vocabulary,but the result is often unsatisfactory.For English learners ,the one who doesn't grasp enough vocabulary can't listen,speak,read and write freely.Thus vocabulary teaching should play a much more important role in English teaching.So it is important for teachers to master proper teaching methods.If teachers grasp much more efficient and interesting methods in vocabulary teaching,students' vocabulary learning may improve quickly.This paper mainly focuses on the study of English vocabulary teaching methods, the present situation of English vocabulary teaching and the main problems facing in the study of English vocabulary in senior high school. It also probes some methods of vocabulary teaching in order to guide senior high school teachers to learn more efficient ways to teach English vocabulary.Key words:vocabulary teaching;senior high school students;efficient techniques 高中英语词汇教学的策略研究 【内容提要】词汇是语言学习的基本元素，大多数的高中学生都认为词汇量的短缺是英语学习的一大问题。对于大多数学生来说，英语词汇贫乏仍然是阻碍他们英语水平提高的一个重要因素，很多学生运用大量的时间和精力来学习英语词汇，但是结果往往都不尽如人意。对于英语学习者而言，如果没有掌握足够的词汇量就不能自由的运用词汇来进行听说读写,因此词汇教学在英语教学中应该起着更加重要的作用。对于教师来说掌握合适的词汇教学法非常重要，如果教师掌握了有效、有趣的词汇教学方法，那么学生的词汇学习就会迅速提高。本篇文章主要专注于高中英语词汇教学的方法研究，高中英语词汇教学的现状和所存在的问题，同时提出了一些高中英语词汇教学的方法以指导高中教师学习更多有效的词汇教学法。 【关键词】词汇教学；高中生；有效技巧CONTENTSI. Introduction . .1II.The present situation in vocabulary teaching .2 2.1 Vocabulary teaching without context.3 2.2 Treat words without differences.3 2.3 Tiring vocabulary teaching methods .3 2.4 Ignorance of cultural connotations.4III.Problems on students' vocabulary learning.4 3.1 The shortage of vocabulary.4 3.2 The poor ability of using vocabulary.5 3.3 The improper learning methods.5IV.Suggestions on vocabulary teaching.5 4.1 The enhancement of pronunciation and spelling.5 4.2 The cultivation of interest.5 4.3 Guessing words in context.6 4.4 Teaching the culture background.6IV.Conclusion.6References .7Acknowledgements.8Research on English Vocabulary Teaching Methods in Senior High SchoolI.Introduction British famous linguist D.A.Wilkins once said:"Without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed."(D.A.Wilkins,1972).A large, useful vocabulary is the basis of word power. “It has been said that learning a second language means learning its vocabulary” (Gass,1999).In teaching a foreign language,one of the most important aspects is to enlarge language learners vocabulary. Word vs essay is like brick vs building. Studies have shown that if one have mastered some basic grammar structure and commanded a large vocabulary,his ability of using language would be much better than those who are proficient in grammar but poor in vocabulary.Vocabulary is the basic element of language communication.The majority of language learners agree that vocabulary is one of the biggest problems they often face in daily communication and in various English tests. However in the traditional English teaching in China, many teachers think that the students have no problems in remembering vocabulary and they pay little attention to it. Instead they pay much attention to the convey of grammatical knowledge and often ignore the teaching of vocabulary. On the part of the students, they normally learn English vocabulary by mechanical recitation and the effect is awful.Vocabulary is one of the three core elements of language.The shortage of vocabulary not only affect one's reading speed and comprehension ability but also resrict the ability of expression in some degree.The new curriculum demand high school students to master 4500 words at least when they graduate from school.And such standard undoubtedly put forward higher request to the high school English teaching,especially in vocabulary teaching.Thus people should make investigation in the filed of vocabulary teaching in senior high school in order to seek for much more meaningful methods.All English teachers of senior high school should take this into consideration because it is the basis for English learning.It is important for teachers to master proper teaching methods.And it helps teachers get twice the result with half the effort. II.The present situation in vocabulary teaching For a very long time,vocabulary is neglected in programs for teachers.Many teachers spend much time in improving students' reading ability and skills for text. However with the increase of the comprehensive and applicative questions,vocabulary teaching seems to be more and more important. In recent years, many researches have proved the central role of vocabulary acquisition in language acquisition.Many teachers begin to know the the importance of vocabulary teaching.Vocabulary instruction and learning has been thought highly of by language researchers, language teachers and language learners. In present senior high school English calss, a teacher is supposed to teach the students the form, the meaning and the appropriate usage of a word. Considering English vocabulary teaching in senior high School, however, there are many problems on the English teachers when they instruct the new words and expressions to their students. Searching many researchers findings and discussions from the Internet, comparing them with my own observation and discussions with my senior high school teacher Mr. MaJing, I find that most commonly senior high school English teachers will spend equal amount of energy on each word, teach the vocabulary without context and pay little attention to the cultural meaning of it. These problems lead to the low efficiency of vocabulary teaching and learning.2.1 Vocabulary teaching without context Some teachers treat vocabulary as an isolated language unit to explain, they never put word into their sentence, paragraph or context. Teachers just tell students pronunciation, common structure and different meanings and usages; students always recite words one by one , they will feel bored then losing interests. Although some students followed teachers order but they cant be knowledgeable, because they have never understood the real meaning and usages of this particular word, which lead to imprecise understanding and in defect of coherent comprehension, all above will influence the reading efficiency, and block the cultivation of English integrated skills.2.2 Treat words without difference Some teachers always teach all the words in the same way.Words consist of verb,adjective,noun,conjunction an so on.And the function of each word varies from each other.So teachers should teach new words in different ways in order to deepen students' understanding of every word. Some teachers imply students should be able to produce all the words presented.But it is not necessary for the students to remember all the words in a unit.Vocabulary are classified by productive vocabulary and receptive vocabulary according to needs.Receptive vocabulary which often used for comprehension,is not essential for production in speaking and writing. 2.3 Tiring vocabulary teaching methods When teaching words,teachers always using only one method to deliver all the words to students.Words learning is a difficult and boring process. If teachers only use one way to teach words,students may feel very bored and can't understand all the new words well. It is impossible to motivate students enthusiasm in vocabulary, if there is an old and outdated teaching method.Teachers should try to change the position as they are in traditional education system. Students must be the focused point, they must be active, and that is the base for us to make vocabulary much more interesting.2.4 Ignorance of cultural connotations Language is the tool for communication. In some cases, though you can speak fluent English,you will still find it difficult to communicate with native English speaker and sometimes become embarrassed because of different customs. Custom is part of culture, and culture is the deep-seated basis of language. In vocabulary teaching, the teachers only teach the students the spelling, pronunciation, part of speech and collocation of the words, seldom do they make any mention of information concerning culture. It is better to tell the students some cultural.III.Problems on students' vocabulary learningMany students still regard English learning as a subject of examination.Thus it affects students' leaning initiative and enthusiasm toward vocabulary learning.Some other Students can't find the suitable way for themselves to study vocabulary. So there are still many problems existed in students' English learning in senior high school.3.1 The shortage of vocabularyThe motivation of some students' English learning is to get high marks in exams.So they are weak in the study of extracurricular knowledge.However the vocabulary is limited in the textbooks. If students don't learn any extra vocabulary to supplement their English learning,their vocabulary will be limited and it will affect their comprehension of further reading.Besides some senior high school students find it difficult for them to memorize new words and enlarge their vocabulary, which becomes the main choke point of their English learning.3.2 The poor ability of using vocabularyFacts have borne out that failure to grasp the effective approaches to vocabulary usage at the early stage of learning a foreign language can lead to a loss of interest and even quit the language study.Due to the simple memory of the"pronounciation" and "form" of the words,students will be at loss when using some new words to make sentences.So students should be encouraged to foster the habit of using different words to make sentences in order to really master them.The poor ability of using vocabulary will lead to the improvement of English study.3.3 The improper learning method.The aim of vocabulary learning should be to provide the students with the ability of distinguishing the words and mastering usage, and to enhance the ability of using words instead of knowing the meaning only.However many students don't master proper and efficient methods to learn vocabulary.Thus,they will lose confidence in English study and decrease the enthusiasm of English.IV.Suggestions on vocabulary teachingIt is commonly accepted that the goal of vocabulary teaching should not help the students internalize the meaning of the words only. The main goal of vocabulary teaching should encourage and help the students know well how the native speakers and other high proficient learners use the target language in order to enhance their sensibility of subtle differences in vocabulary.In the process of teaching vocabulary, it will be very beneficial for the teachers to use proper teaching strategies to present new vocabulary and help students consolidate them. When teaching some different kinds of words, the teachers should choose different teaching aids and strategies to activate the students' learning motivation. Senior high school students like curious and exciting activities, so the teachers can design some competitive exercises or play some games in the process of teaching vocabulary to arouse their interest in learning. When it is possible, make full use of the multimedia to activate the students' different senses in learning. It is an arduous work for teachers to improve high school students English learning. Teachers should not only lay emphasis on fundamental knowledge, but also make series of proper learning methods for students. 4.1 The enhancement of pronunciation and spellingReading is the base of vocabulary, also is the first step student should take. But how can students go through it? Teachers ought to tell students to master a proper and normal rule of pronunciation, which may strengthen their remembering abilities. Thus, teaching time could be reduced heavily. On the other hand, they also can have a deep impression; it is also a good way to help students practice their self-study ability.4.2 The cultivation of interest Vocabulary learning is boring and difficult process.And many students don't like to study vocabulary for it is uninteresting. In order to improve the situation teachers should treat interests as the key point during teaching. Teaching students' vocabulary through setting up an interesting language background, at the same time, teachers can combine stories in English, jokes and cultural background knowledge with the teaching, which can fully vivify class atmosphere and deepen students understanding. After class they will enjoy vocabulary learning and their confidence will be strengthened.Using games in classroom English vocabulary teaching will make the class alive.Senior high school students are active and they like playing games. Sparing some time in playing some competitive games in vocabulary teaching will excite them and enhance their eagerness to learn English. For example, guessing riddles is a good game in vocabulary teaching to practice the students abilities of listenin