Vocabulary Workshop

Word learning strategies

Of course, it is not possible for teachers to provide specific instruction for all the words their students do not know. Therefore, students also need to be able to determine the meaning of words that are new to them but not taught directly to them. They need to develop effective word-learning strategies. Word-learning strategies include:

• how to use dictionaries and other reference aids to learn word meanings and to deepen knowledge of word meanings;
• how to use information about word parts to figure out the meanings of words in text; and
• how to use context clues to determine word meanings.

Using dictionaries and other reference aids

Students must learn how to use dictionaries, glossaries, and thesauruses to help broaden and deepen their knowledge of words, even though these resources can be difficult to use. The most helpful dictionaries include sentences providing clear examples of word meanings in context. Learn more ...

Using word parts

Knowing some common prefixes and suffixes (affixes), base words, and root words can help students learn the meanings of many new words. For example, if students learn just the four most common prefixes in English (un-, re-, in-, dis-), they will have important clues about the meaning of about two thirds of all English words that have prefixes. Learn more ...

Using context clues

Context clues are hints about the meaning of an unknown word that are provided in the words, phrases, and sentences that surround the word. Context clues include definitions, restatements, examples, or descriptions. Because students learn most word meanings indirectly, or from context, it is important that they learn to use context clues effectively. Learn More ...

• Vocabulary Workshop
• Workshop 1 - Using reference aids
• Workshop 2 - Using word parts
• Workshop 3 - Using context clues