The Effective strategies for teaching science vocabulary

Vocabulary is one of the essential language components in studying English. If people have less vocabulary, they not only cannot understand others saying, but also cannot make sentences to transfer their messages to the other people. Thus, they will understand English expressions if they have enough vocabularies. Vocabulary is needed to improve our language skills. Without grammar, very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed. When we just learn about grammar without learning vocabulary, we cannot express anything. Because of that learning vocabulary is very important to improve our language skill. If we spend most of our time studying grammar, our English will not improve very much. we will see most improvement, if we learn more words and expressions. We can say very little with grammar, but we can say almost anything with words. Without vocabulary, no one know what have to say. People need and use vocabulary to communicate in first language. Therefore, we also need vocabulary to learn a new language as foreign language that is English. It is very important to learn English vocabulary in order to be able to master the language. Vocabulary is important aspect in our life. Everyday we name objects, an event, and express our feeling using words.

Ø    The strategies for teaching science vocabulary:

1. Time to talk

It is important to promote students’ dialogue as they have instructional conversations. We need to provide students with opportunities to use their colloquial language and translate back and forth with scientific and technical terms.

2. Giving instructions

We can support students’ information processing by supplementing auditory information with visual clues. When we can provide students with multi-sensory experiences observing and communicating, it helps all students, especially emerging readers and English language learners.

3. Reading science text cards                                                   

Text cards help students interact with words and their meanings. Teachers can create science text cards by writing statements about science concepts on index cards. Working individually or in small groups, students discuss the statements before sorting.

4. Word lists/ word banks

Students can look at the written words as teachers use them during class discussions, and teachers should encourage students to use the language of science in their verbal and written communication.

5. Word games

Traditional games can be adapted to help students experience the language of science. For advanced students, making their own games using science vocabulary promotes in-depth understanding of words and their meanings.

6. Word parts

Teachers can reinforce the structure of words as students identify and interpret prefix, suffix, base word and their meanings:

·         photosynthesis 

·    metamorphosis 

7. Multiple meaning words

Words with multiple meanings can be confusing for students proficient in English and are especially troublesome for English language learners. It is important to discuss these meanings with students. When we confuse common definitions with meanings used in science, students’ understanding suffers.

8. Graphic organizers

When students interact with science words in multiple ways, they are able to approach words and their meanings more fully. Graphic organizers can help to present words with a range of contextual information.