Tutor Tip: Word Knowledge Rating

Starting off a vocabulary lesson by asking "Does anyone know what ________ means?" is generally a poor idea. It can lead some some awkward silences and some incorrect answers.

And yet you should always to acknowledge that learners may have some previous understanding of the words being taught. A good way to do this is to use a word knowledge rating chart.

Procedure:

Before introducing a new vocabulary words, ask students to rate their knowledge of the meanings of the words. A simple four-point rating system works well:

1) I’ve never heard this word before.

2) I’ve heard this word, but I don’t know what it means.

3) I know this word…it has something to do with…

4) I know the meaning of this word.

After the words have been introduced, ask students to check their ratings.  Were they accurate?  Would they change any of their ratings?  Why?

Once students have had multiple encounters with the words, ask them to rate the words again. Do these ratings differ from their initial ones?