Getting Words In A Flash: The Effectiveness of Vocabulary Cards
Most children are used to playing the popular games of “Old Maid” or “Go Fish.” However, the use of cards for recreation is not the only way children can use their leisure time in an effective manner. If you want to introduce learning and educational tools, combined with games, then using vocabulary cards provides you with one of the most effective and simplistic ways to help children who are learning English words.
It is known that, when a child or adult is learning a language, they learn through incidental conversations, reading and listening. This leads to a slow and gradual process in developing an understanding of words, with unfamiliar vocabulary that does not apply to the context used, meaning there is a low chance of retention. On average, only 10% of the words learned are retained on a long term basis by using these three methods. If a student is at a low proficiency of vocabulary and does not have alternate means of learning, reading and developing communication skills, then the use of vocabulary words in the most important years of development does not assist in learning[1].
Because of the low retention rate, most educators are finding that alternative methods that add into the base level of learning are essential for helping children to develop vocabulary skills. One of the most developed applications is the use of vocabulary cards, either as flash cards used to retain information, or games given to children to help with an understanding of the words. With the use of cards, children have the capacity to learn a word at three levels. This includes the meaning, form and use that are involved with various words.
Not only does the use of cards provide the ability to apply different words into these three areas, but also allows children to use basic concepts that are proven to be effective for the development of learning skills. Two of the needed concepts involve repetition and structure that provide better knowledge of vocabulary. If vocabulary cards are used effectively, this provides even more abilities to understand the meaning of a word and to apply it to conversations on a regular basis, leading to overall improvement of language[2].
The concept of learning involves a complete process, which includes knowing how to process information and what can be done to be more effective with vocabulary tools. Within this, is not only the concept of memorization, but also the ability to apply words in different context through the use of these tools. This improves the capacity of use for communication and language used. For any educator looking for an answer to developing vocabulary at deeper levels, is the ability to use vocabulary cards for a structured way to boost learning.
[1] Hunt, Alan, David Beglar. (1998). Current Research and Practice in Teaching Vocabulary. Jalt Publications.
[2] Nation, Paul. (2005). Teaching Vocabulary. Asian EFL Journal (September).
