Teaching lexis from "summary" of The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer
Teaching lexis is an important part of language learning. It involves familiarizing students with the words, phrases and idioms they need to communicate in a language. Understanding the usage in context is also an important part of lexis teaching.- Encouraging the use of real language in authentic contexts is a powerful way to teach lexis. By providing learners with natural examples and allowing them time to practice, they can gain a deeper understanding of the words and be ready to apply them confidently.
- Deliberately mixing phrases into conversation and actively making a note of one's native errors are both effective approaches for teaching lexis. Repetition of phrases encouraged in this way will help internalize useful expressions and prevent any embarrassing mistakes.
- Constructing dialogues and role play activities around themes allows students to experience lexis in a relevant context and adds an extra layer of engagement by acting out their learning.
- Making learning fun through games like crosswords and charades helps engage students and challenge them to think of new ways to learn and remember words. This can have lasting effects on their fluidity when speaking or writing about topics.
- Keeping a diary for self-monitoring provides learners with an opportunity to reflect on their progress in class as well as draw attention to idiomatic language they may come across in their everyday life.
