How to

teach
vocabulary
Workbook
Your reflective journal
and additional resources
Foreword
We’re delighted you’ve chosen to continue your professional development
with TeachingEnglish training and look forward to learning with you over the
coming weeks.

In this workbook you’ll find additional learning materials to complement your

course, places to note ideas of interest, encouragement and guidance in
applying them within your teaching practice. Whether you prefer to save and
update it on your device, to keep handwritten notes, or use it as a prompt for
your on-the-go reflection, do what works for you. We hope you and your
learners find it beneficial.

If you haven't signed up for the free course, go to the course training page to
enrol.

Happy learning.

The British Council open learning team.

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Contents
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………… 02

Your learning goals, your course………………………………. 04

Your learning tools…………………………………………………………. 05

Module 1: Understanding vocabulary

Overview and additional learning resources………….. 06

Your learning: Notes, plans and reflections……………..08

Module 2: Engaging with vocabulary – recording and recycling

Overview and additional learning resources…………….10

Your learning: Notes, plans and reflections………………12

Module 3: Engaging with vocabulary teaching

Overview and additional learning resources……………13

Your learning: Notes, plans and reflections………………16

Your action plan……………………………………………………………….17

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Your learning goals, your course
Help your learners notice, record, recycle and use new vocabulary more confidently with
engaging, classroom activities.

During this TeachingEnglish training, you’ll engage with learning content in four modules,
supported by extra learning content in our Facebook community. You’ll find practical
support and encouragement from course tutors and other members of the British Council
courses for teachers global learning community as you work to introduce new teaching
ideas within your classroom.

Just as every classroom is unique, so is your learning journey. Ensure you’re heading in the
right direction by reflecting upon and noting your reasons for taking this course and
learning goals. Keeping these in mind will help you focus on the most beneficial content and
discussions for you.

Your goals and reasons for learning

Introduce yourself and your learning goals by replying to the welcome post.

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Your learning tools
Online learning modules
After completing the introductory Getting started module, work through three modules,
each exploring a different area of teaching and learning. Involving an average of 12
hours of study, this course blends theory, practical teaching suggestions and case
studies that explore new ways of teaching. Repeat, return to and review activities as
often as you like before the end of your course. Learn how to access the online learning
modules by visiting the courses page on TeachingEnglish.

Courses for teachers community

Join course tutors and other educators working on their professional development in
our supportive, Facebook-based learning community. Gain access to a wide selection of
additional learning resources and engage in developmental discussions while getting
the support and encouragement you need to successfully bring ideas from the course
into your classroom. Access all the discussions and content related to your specific
course in the Guides section on the community Facebook page.

Workbook
Use this workbook to record useful course and community content, questions you’d like
to ask in the community, links to resources, or to note ideas from any of the extra
resources or recorded events. Save a version online or print the workbook - or both.

Extra resources and recorded events

Access extra resources and recorded events through the links in this workbook. Search
TeachingEnglish for other resources and more recorded events about teaching
vocabulary.

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Module 1: Understanding
vocabulary
Overview
The aim of this module is to explore major aspects of vocabulary, including form,
meaning and use, and relate these to teaching and learning.
By the end of this module, you'll be able to:
• explain concepts used to describe aspects of vocabulary
• explain some of the factors which lead to vocabulary errors by learners
• identify activities to use for error correction
• select activities to use to make vocabulary learning memorable.

Further reading, teaching, and learning resources

Type Resource description (tap/click to open)

Activity involving defining words and encouraging students to use their

Use
creativity and imagination
Use Cambridge learner's dictionary
Use Collins online dictionary
Use Oxford learner's dictionary
Use Longman dictionary of contemporary English online
Use Lesson plan for secondary learners to develop their dictionary skills
Use Classroom activities that focus on collocation
Listen Radio programme with ideas for making vocabulary teaching interesting
Radio programme with advice on ways of introducing and teaching
Listen
vocabulary
Read Article about what it means to know a word
Read Article about ways to present and teach vocabulary

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 Read Article explaining what the lexical approach looks like - part 1

Read Article explaining what the lexical approach looks like - part 2

Read Article with principles and techniques for correcting errors

Read An overview of collocation as a key area for advanced level students

Read Delexicalised verbs and the problems they create for learners
Watch Video with ideas for correcting errors, including lexical errors

Watch Webinar focused on fun, useful, meaningful lexis for young learners

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Your learning
Which new ideas in Module 1 are most useful for you? Note them here together with any
questions you’d like to ask in the British Council courses for teachers learning community.

Describe three things you learned from…

Your online module

Resources you found and discussions in the course community

Extra resources and recorded events

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Plan it

Describe one thing you will change in your teaching. Why have you
chosen it?

What problems might happen when you try to make this change?

What could you do to solve those problems?

Share your plans in the Facebook community in this post.

Teach it

Try it out and come back here to reflect on the experience. What did
you learn?

Share your reflections in the Facebook community in this post.

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Module 2: Engaging with vocabulary
– recording and recycling
Overview

The aim of this module is to outline ways of helping learners to record and recycle
vocabulary, while at the same time building their skills and encouraging autonomy.

By the end of this module, you'll be able to:

• evaluate a range of methods and techniques that help learners remember,

organise and record vocabulary
• evaluate a range of activities for recycling vocabulary
• identify activities which develop the learners’ vocabulary skills and
encourage greater autonomy
• plan the stages of a recycling activity taking into account a range of factors
which promote learning.

Further reading, teaching, and learning resources

Type Resource description (tap/click to open)

Use Help learners record vocabulary with lexical notebooks

Activity for primary to recall vocabulary in a motivating and memorable
Use
way
Use Lesson idea for A2-B2 on recording vocabulary related to snacks
Use App to help learners create and manage their own vocabulary lists

Read Article presenting ideas on how to help learners remember vocabulary

Read Article on the importance of recycling lexis

Watch Webinar evaluating word lists for language learning and teaching
Watch Webinar discussing how to develop vocabulary teaching skills

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Your learning
Which new ideas in Module 2 are most useful for you? Note them here together with any
questions you’d like to ask in the British Council courses for teachers learning community.

Describe three things you learned from…

Your online module

Resources you found and discussions in the course community

Extra resources and recorded events

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Plan it

Describe one thing you will change in your teaching. Why have you
chosen it?

What problems might happen when you try to make this change?

What could you do to solve those problems?

Share your plans in the Facebook community in this post.

Teach it

Try it out and come back here to reflect on the experience. What did
you learn?

Share your reflections in the Facebook community in this post.

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Module 3: Engaging with vocabulary
teaching
Overview
The aim of this module is to explore ways of presenting new vocabulary in the
classroom. The module considers what is involved in learning new words, how to
select words to teach, and a range of methods and techniques for presenting
vocabulary that take into account an inclusive multisensory approach.
By the end of this module, you'll be able to:
• describe aspects of vocabulary that learners need to know
• use a range of techniques to express meaning when presenting new
vocabulary
• evaluate a range of methods and techniques for presenting vocabulary
• use further techniques to express meaning, which take into account an
inclusive, multisensory approach
• evaluate a range of methods and techniques for presenting vocabulary.

Further reading, teaching, and learning resources

Type Resource description (tap/click to open)

Use Activity to revise, present, and test vocabulary in a fun way

Activity for primary for recalling vocabulary in a motivating and
Use
memorable way
Use Lesson plan for teenagers (A2) with lexis for famous places in London

Use Lesson plan for teenagers with vocabulary about Christmas

Use Teaching vocabulary poster with vocabulary activities

Read Article looking at teaching and presenting vocabulary

Read Activities for vocabulary teaching for different ages and levels

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 Article explaining how to use search engines to organise and select text
Read
for teaching
Read Article with practical steps to help learn lexis
Article with advice about how we can help our learners with delexicalised
Read
verbs
Using lexical notebooks and word cards to record and recycle
Read
vocabulary
Article with ways to improve learners' abilities to explore, store and use
Read
vocabulary
Webinar giving practical strategies for building vocabulary through
Watch
reading

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Your learning
Which new ideas in Module 3 are most useful for you? Note them here together with any
questions you’d like to ask in the British Council courses for teachers learning community.

Describe three things you learned from…

Your online module

Resources you found and discussions in the course community

Extra resources and recorded events

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Plan it

Describe one thing you will change in your teaching. Why have you
chosen it?

What problems might happen when you try to make this change?

What could you do to solve those problems?

Share your plans in the Facebook community in this post.

Teach it

Try it out and come back here to reflect on the experience. What did
you learn?

Share your reflections in the Facebook community in this post.

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Your action plan
Make an action plan focused on applying learning from this the course. Complete any
sentences that help you do this. Come back and reflect on what happened in class.

In the next two weeks, I am going to...

Over the next two months, I’m going to...

Before the end of the school year, I’m going to...

Next school year, I want to...

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Well done — you’ve made it to the end of the course! We hope you’ve
found it useful, and you’ll join us on another very soon.

Learn more about other free teacher training courses with the British Council
at: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/training

Explore our framework for teacher knowledge and skills for inspiration,
support and materials: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/professional-
development/teachers

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