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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
- Famously, the Lexical Approach differentiates between vocabulary (as a stock of individual words) and lexis (that includes word combinations or meaningful language chunks in addition to single words). Grammar plays second fiddle to lexis that is central to creating meaning; therefore, to use language fluently, students need to develop a vast arsenal of lexical chunks.
While using a correct form of an irregular verb is important, its choice (past simple or participle) is driven by meaning. Through input (readings, recordings, picture descriptions), provided by a teacher, students will gradually gain understanding of how the forms are used in real life situations.
The following activities can be beneficial to help students retain the forms as well as ensure they apply these forms in correct contexts:
1. Build phrases. Since each of the phrases includes a verb, possible combinations will include verb+noun, verb+prepositional phrase (or a prepositional verb - with a preposition associated with a particular verb) or verb+adverb combinations:
run a marathon/errands- run for mayor/into debt
- run loose
After the phrases are built, follow with questions that require the past and past participle forms:
Did you run any errands on Sunday?
Have you ever run for a President of the Student Council?
Do you know a successful business that is run by women only?
I would have run a quick scan for you if you had asked me.
2. Focus on a specific group of verbs on the list that you’ve provided in class (e.g.: verbs 10 to 20). Ask to find a verb that can go together with a list of words that is written on the board. Try to have the verb in a different positions e.g.:
_____ fingers along the page/through his hair
_____ short of money
a river/well ____ dry
a cold _____ its course
Have students think of sentences with these combinations focussing on grammar currently discussed in class.
The deeper and broader way of working with the irregular verbs overtime will ensure students gain understanding of a variety of meanings making grammatical structures more obvious, logical and memorable. After all, many students consider the table of irregular verbs their forte, yet can’t progress beyond the basic levels of English.
POSTED BY Olga Galperin AT 11:48 PM
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Sunday, March 07, 2010
- Economic relates to organization of money and/or trade in a country or region.
For example, the recent economic recession, the slowdown in economic activity, was felt worldwide. As the result of the economic downturn (reduction in the amount of economic activity), many people have lost their jobs or houses, and layoffs were far too common. How severe was the economic crisis in your country? Is your country on its way to economic recovery? How can economic stability be achieved?
Also, if something is economic, it brings a profit:
The region has an enormous economic potential due to its energy reserves.
It’s a small town. It isn’t economic to open a shopping mall here.
Economical means careful in spending, not wasteful:
Is your car economical on fuel? (Does it consume a lot of fuel?) Is it economical to run a car with an air conditioner? What’s more economical in the long run: buying a new car or a used one, or leasing a car (making monthly payments for it)?
Do economic difficulties make people choose more economical cars?
POSTED BY Olga Galperin AT 8:01 PM
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Vocabulary Learning Tips for ESL students
Words are the first priority in learning a second language. Make a grammar mistake – people may still understand you, choose a wrong word...
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Sound Natural 
Words, quite literally say it all.
They are the core elements of any language – the basic units of conversation, communication and connection with others.
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