exploiting texts for lexis
DESCRIPTION
Slides from NATECLA conference 2014 talk. Some ideas for using texts in the classroom to promote vocabulary developmentTRANSCRIPT
Words, words, wordsExploiting texts for lexis
Words, words, wordsExploiting texts for lexis
For a free, voiced-over presentation, go to www.elt-training.com
Languagelearning
Grammar
SkillsLexis
Functions
Relative importance?
The importance of lexis
Lexical Priming…Michael Hoey
The Lexical Approach…Michael Lewis
Dave Lewis
What does it mean to know a word?
TimeWhat do you know about this word?
?? entries3 pages!
Meaning….
Abstract noun [U]
Collocations…
Save time
Collocations…
Spend time
Collocations…
Collocations…
Kill time
In Roman times…. (n) [C]
He timed the race
(v) regular
It’s about time
Before your time
For weeks at a time
I have no time for him
So it’s not just about learning new vocabulary ……
Exposure to how it’s used is vital… co-text collocations
An example…
Would you like to live here?
Find 4 reasons Luke likes living
here.
Text from Onestopenglish.com
So far, so typical.
Ambient vocabulary
Ambient vocabulary is language that’s there in the background of any given exercise or text, but which doesn’t necessarily need to be focused on in order for students – and teacher – to complete the task.
Hugh Dellar
So what can we do to exploit the
lexis?
‘Noticing’
Examples of tasks
Note these down – you’ll need them!
Guessing meaning in context.
Which words don’t you know?
Which can you guess?
novelist
inspirational rough track
fed uppassers by
popping in
remote
Which words can be guessed?
Which can’t or are difficult?
Which words can be guessed?
Which can’t or are difficult?
novelistinspirational
(rough track)
fed up passers by
popping in
remote
Practice activity?
Use the new vocabulary to write a summary of the text…
…in pairs? Without looking back?
Lexical sets
remote secluded
isolated lonely
Positive or negative?
I like my own company
alone
Do you like your own company?
Do you think the lighthouse is secluded or isolated?
If you are alone, do you get lonely quickly?
And a bit of practice….
Lexico-grammatical sets
It d_________y prevents
it’s c________y secluded
B______s, the views from
Of c_____ I have a 360-degree
I e________y love
Lexico-grammatical sets
It definitely prevents
it’s certainly secluded
Besides, the views from
Of course, I have a 360-degree
I especially love
Lexico-grammatical sets
What do you have
views about?
definitely certainly Besides, of course, especially
strong
Collocations and chunks
“
“Not at all, I work much better alone and enjoy my own company. I prefer to work with the phone switched off too – I just don’t want anything to disrupt my train of thought. If I feel the need for some company I can always drive to the local pub or pop back to London for the weekend
“Not at all, I w____ m___ b____ a_____ and
e______ m__ o___ c__________. I prefer to
work with the phone switched off too – I just
don’t want anything to d_____ m__ t______
o_ t________. If I f______ t__ n______ f___
some company I c____ a_____ drive to the
local pub or p___ b_____ t_ London for the
weekend
“
I work much better alone I _____ much better ________
I prefer to work with the phone switched off.I prefer to ______ with _________
If I feel the need for some company I can always drive to the local pub.If I feel the need for ______, I can always ________
Noticing grammar
What’s missing?
“I was looking ___ a place in the country where I could concentrate ___ my work ________ any disturbances. Having become a successful novelist I was getting fed ___ _____ people ringing the doorbell, so the lighthouse was the perfect answer.”
What else would this work with?
Lower levels
Your turn!
My name’s Lisha and I’m from Nigeria. I like walking and I also love riding my bike so I can deliver your letters quickly. My sister works in a restaurant but I don’t have a job. I always get up early and I know the area well. I go to college every week on Friday but that’s in the afternoon. I hope you give me the job!
Entry 1 reading text
Think of three ways to exploit this text
have
deliver
know
works
go
give
a job
letters
the area
to college
me the job
in a restaurant
have
deliver
know
works
go
give
a job
letters
the area
to college
me the job
in a restaurant
My name’s Lisha and I’m from Nigeria. I like w_____ and I also love r____ my bike
Entry 1 reading text
What do you like doing?What do you love doing?
My name’s Lisha (What is your name?)
and I’m from Nigeria. (Where are you from?)
I like walking and I also love riding my bike(What do you like doing?)
My sister works in a restaurant.(What does your sister do?)
What are the questions?
My name’s Lisha and I’m from Nigeria. I like walking and I ___ love riding my bike __ I can deliver your letters quickly. My sister works in a restaurant ___ I don’t have a job. I always get up early ___ I know the area well. I go to college every week on Friday ___ that’s in the afternoon. I hope you give me the job!
Entry 1 reading text
Find words in the text that mean the opposite:
runningslowly
neverlate
morning
Your turn(again!)
A live listening textPrepare a short live listening that is suitable for your learners.
eg What I’m doing at the weekend.A terrible holiday.My living room.My dream job.
A live listening text
Tell it to a partner.
As they listen, they should note down useful ambient vocabulary
