According to many senior thesis topics, there are several ways that we can use to improve our vocabulary retention. The majority of people use popular strategies to retain vocabularies that include taking tests, demonstrating learning of words through worksheet-type activities, and using a weekly list of words. The limitations to these procedures are that it is not very effective since it is easy to forget all the words learned. However, there are newer and better ways to teach vocabulary that are easy and efficient. We are going to explore five main approaches that one can use to teach vocabulary as you home-school. These approaches align with the principles of the science of learning that will help students retain more vocabulary.

Use analogies

The best way to work out your brain is by using analogies. You can transfer this strategy to your learners. Using analogies is essential in helping the learners to discover how words relate to each other. You should have a list of all the analogies close to you when you are in a session that your learners will encounter. Also, encourage the learners to look up the analogies they encounter for them to learn quickly.

Teach vocabulary before reading

For you to understand anything, you first need to have prior knowledge of the subject. If you have your learners read non-fiction content from science or history books, you should know that they will encounter a new word that they will not understand. You should ensure that you take them through the new words and familiarize them with the new words to understand the story. 

Teach connotation and synonyms

You will realize that there is more to words than denotation from a dictionary. For instance, you can substitute happy for giddy when describing an older adult expressing a stern face that is far from his family and is reading a Christmas card. You can also replace sad with bereaved if you are describing someone that lost a loved one. So, it is essential to teach the intricacies of words and synonyms that make up different words.

Teach word parts

It is more effective to teach word parts such as affix, suffix, and roots rather than simply giving them a list of words to read like a novel. Most vocabularies are derived from foreign languages such as French, Greek, and Latin, and they have specific meanings that are consistent with their origin. 

Draw a picture of the vocabulary word

We learn more from what we see than what we read or hear. Having a mental image of what you are learning will help boost your word retention. As you teach the student the meaning of words, you can tell them to draw an illustrative diagram of their learning. The drawing will demonstrate the learners’ ability to understand the concept and how they spatially and visually engaging. 

Conclusion

Teaching vocabulary can be a daunting task. You need to have and use modern strategies to be effective. The above list of approaches will make it easy for your learners to learn and master the art of using vocabulary.