TR
During my CELTA course, I’ve learned new ways to teach vocabulary that are fun, useful, and easier for students to remember. I used to rely on more traditional, teacher-centered methods, but now I know how to make vocabulary lessons more active and student-focused.
1.The MFP Recipe (Meaning – Form – Pronunciation)
This is a simple but powerful framework. First, I show the meaning with a picture or context. For example, to teach angry, I show a photo of someone with a red face and ask, “Is she happy or angry?” Then I show the form by writing the word on the board, noting it's an adjective, and using it in a sentence like “She is angry.” Finaly, I model the pronunciation, show the stress (AN-gry), and drill it with the class.
2.Guessing from Context
Instead of giving the meaning right away, I now let students figure it out from a sentence. For example: “After walking for hours without water, he was extremely thirsty.” I ask, “Did he want food or water?” and “How did his mouth feel?” Students work in pairs to find clues and guess the meaning before we check together. It builds confidence and reading skills.
3.Using Realia (Real Objects)
Bringing real-life objects makes vocabulary more memorable. For example, instead of showing a picture of an umbrella, I bring one to class. Students connect the word to something real, which helps them remember it better and keeps them more engaged.
These three techniques have made my vocabulary lessons clearer, more active, and more enjoyable
—for both me and my students.