Week 8 Tools to enhance vocabulary

The article “Vocabulary is one of those things where the rich get richer.” by Eli Hinkel talks about dictionary usage in an ESL/EFL class. Internet provides a lot of sources where students can look for a meaning of a word that is not clear for them. However, not all of them can fit the needs of an ESL/EFL because they are focused on native speakers only. As a matter of fact, the article give some characteristic that an online dictionary must have. For example, a corpus-based compilation of words, word frequency data, and collocation guides, authentic examples of how words are used, and topical vocabulary from different disciplines. What is interesting is that students can make a list of new words that they have encountered. Then, they just need to look for the meaning in online dictionaries. On the other hand, the article “Using Technology to Assist in Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension” by Andreea I. Constantinescu. The author talks about how reading can be really useful for learning vocabulary and how technology can help students improving this skill. As we know, websites can offer a variety of multimedia tools such as text, audio, video, graphics, animation, and interactivity. As matter of fact, you have a more interactive class and students can get more interested in the topic.