Topic 4: Developing Vocabulary From Conversations and Written Texts – English Lesson Notes Form One New Syllabus

Vocabulary is the complete collection of words in a language.

Vocabulary is an essential part of English language learning.

Normally, we acquire vocabulary through speaking and writing activities. Throughout both activities you learn new vocabulary.

How can you develop vocabulary from writing and speaking?

I. From conversations

1. Active listening by paying attention – Be active in listening you will catch new

2. Ask questions – if you hear a word you don’t understand asks for it’s meaning or look in dictionary.

3. Use the word – Try to incorporate new word into your speech. The more you use them, the better you remember them.

4. Engage in discussion – Join discussions, debates or conversations where diverse vocabulary used.

II. From written texts

1. Read widely – Read books, newspapers, articles and blogs you will new vocabulary.

2. Keep a vocabulary journal – write down new words and their meanings also one sentence as an example.

3. Practice writing – write summaries, essays or story by using the new word you learned.

4. Teach others – Explain a word to someone else will help you to reinforce your understanding.

5. Word association – Connect new words to image, synonyms or personal experience.

6. Other techniques – Flashcards, Use apps like anki, quizlet to master new words

In general there are ways to improve your vocabulary

1. Reading Regularly

Read books, newspapers, blogs, and articles across different subjects.
Keep a dictionary or vocabulary app handy to look up new words.

2. Writing Practice

Maintain a vocabulary journal to note down new words with their meanings and examples.
Try writing daily summaries, essays, or stories using newly learned words.
Use synonyms (same) and antonyms (opposite) to expand your word choices.

3. Listening and Speaking

Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, TED Talks, and speeches to hear words in context.
Engage in conversations and discussions to practice using new words.
Repeat and use words in different sentences to reinforce them.
Play games like Scrabble, Crossword Puzzles, charades flashcards, pictures and Word Association Games.
Use apps like Anki, Quizlet, WordUp, or Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day.

5. Learning in Context

Instead of memorizing definitions, learn words in sentences to understand their usage.
Try using mnemonics or word associations to remember words
Group words by themes (e.g., emotions, travel, business) for better retention.

6. Daily Word Challenge

Learn and use at least one new word per day.
Join vocabulary-building communities or challenges online.

7. Teaching and Explaining

Try teaching new words to someone else or writing explanations for them.
The more you explain, the Getter you remember.

Think about.

Ways to improve your vocabulary.

I. VOCABULARY FROM CONVERSATIONS AND WITTEN TEXTS.

Activity.

Write ten new vocabularies from conversations and written texts.

Vocabulary From Conversations.

In conversation we normally get new vocabulary especially once we participate in daily discussions, debates or Class discussion or dialogue

NOTE : Teacher provide different dialogue texts (TIE’s book form 1 from page 41-45or conduct a class debate), Then students to write new vocabulary from that conversation.

DEBATE

Do you know a debate?

Debate is a discussion where by individuals express their arguments by focusing on a specific topic or idea.

A debate is a structured discussion where two opposing sides present arguments on a specific topic. A debate is comprising of a topic, (called motion) in which there are two sides, the opposing and proposing sides, each debate has a chairperson, (supervise the debate) secretary, (recording the points spoken) time keeper (make people to keep time per regulations) and language corrector (correct grammatical mistakes of speakers). To avoid the wastage of time and people speaking out of time, all debates have a time limit; you cannot have a debate without time limit.

The debate starts with the chairperson introducing the audiences, participants, both sides, then participants start to explain their views on a certain motion.
After all controversies’ of the two sides, the chairperson will read all points and declare the winning group.

Debate terms

I. Leaders of the debate session

1. Moderator

The moderator oversees the debate and ensures smooth proceedings sometimes he could be a teacher. Their responsibilities include:

Setting the rules and format of the debate.
Introducing the topic and participants.
Ensuring each speaker follows time limits.
Maintaining neutrality and preventing disruptions.
Summarizing key points to keep the discussion focused.

2. Chairperson

This is the person in charge of the debate session. He/she is the one who controls all the activities during the debate. The chairperson is the one who opens the debate session. He/she welcomes the audience to the debate session. The chairperson is responsible for the overall management of the debate. Their duties include:

He/she mentions the motion of the debate and list of participants from both sides i.e. the proposing and opposing sides
Organizing the debate schedule and participants.
Coordinating with judges and moderators.
Ensuring fairness and adherence to debate rules.
Closing the debate with a summary or final remarks.
He/she introduces the judges, secretary, timekeeper and all the people having duties during the debate session.

3. Secretary

The secretary writes down or records all the points given by the main speakers. The secretary records and organizes information related to the debate.

Prepares the debate agenda and keeps participant records.
Takes minutes, noting key arguments and rebuttals.
Tracks time (if needed) and assists in scorekeeping.
Writes a debate summary and keeps records for future reference
Assists the moderator with organizational tasks.

4. Main speakers (Team Leaders) (For and Against)

These are the debaters. They debate for or against the motion. They are divided in two groups. The first group proposes the motion (SUPPORTERS/PROPOSERS). These argue for the motion. The second group opposes the motion. This group argues against the motion (OPPOSERS/OPPOSING SIDE). Each debate team has a leader who guides their side’s argument.

Their responsibilities include:
Defining their team’s stance on the topic.
Assigning speaking roles to team members.
Preparing strong arguments with supporting evidence.
Keeping the team focused and responding effectively to counterarguments.

5. Judges

These listen attentively to the points given by both sides. The judges fill the score sheets then give them to the chairperson for the announcement of the winning side. However, in some debates the judgment is done by the audience by voting. In competitive debates, judges evaluate the discussion and declare a winner Normally she / he could be teacher. Their duties include:

Assessing arguments based on logic, evidence, and delivery.
Scoring debaters on clarity, rebuttals, and persuasiveness.
Providing constructive feedback for improvement.

6. Timekeeper

The time keeper manages the time spent by each speaker. The debaters are allocated specific time to speak. The timekeeper ensures that speakers follow time limits. Their
responsibilities include:

Keeping track of speaking times for each participant.
Giving warnings when time is almost up.
Ensuring fair distribution of time between teams.

7. Grammarian

One who notes grammar problems to work for them after debate. The grammarian focuses on language use and correct grammar during the debate.

Listens carefully to speakers and notes grammatical errors.
Observes the use of vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure.
Provides feedback on grammar, clarity, and effective word choice.
Encourages correct and effective language use.
Sometimes presents a “Word of the Day” to enrich vocabulary.

8. Motion Mover

The motion mover is the first speaker who introduces and supports the debate topic (motion).

Introduces the motion (topic) and states the team’s position.
Presents the first main argument with supporting evidence.
Sets the tone for the debate and defines key terms.
Provides a strong opening statement to persuade the audience.

9. Audience

These are the people who listen to the main speakers while debating the motion. Sometimes few members of the audience can be given chance to speak either for or against the motion.

Note: The winner is the one who gets highest points. The floor (audience) may be involved in the debate, but they Will not be directly engaged in the discussion.

Activity.

Study the following picture. Then, answer the questions that follow:

Questions.

1. What are the students in the picture doing?

2. Have you ever taken part in a similar activity? What was it about?

3. Why are the notebooks useful in that activity?

4. Who are those sitting in front of the classroom?

5. Why do you think there are two sides in this activity?

6. Why do you think the activity is important to students?

** Conduct a debate on the motion “A single – party system is better than a multi – party system.”

Questions.

1. What was interesting about the debate

2. What did you learn from the debate?

EXERCISE

Organize yourself into a debating team, choose one topic from given topics below. Then, write down the vocabulary you have developed with their meanings and use five of them to make sentences (one for each).

Topics.

1. Participating in elections is important for national development.

2. Vodeo games are a source of moral destruction in the society.

II. Vocabulary from written Contexts

Having seen that we can get new vocabulary through conversations or participating in different discussions like debate and class discussion, we can also get vocabulary from written texts when read it intensively. So we can read story, essays or comprehensive texts.

What to Do When Reading

To make reading effective and engaging, follow these steps:

1. Before Reading

Set a Purpose – Are you reading to learn, analyze, or for pleasure?
Preview the Text – Skim headings, subheadings, and summaries

2. During Reading

Read Actively – Engage with the text by thinking critically about the content.
Highlight Key Ideas – Underline main points, arguments, and important facts.
Take Notes – Write down key points, questions, and unfamiliar words.
Look Up New Words – Use context clues first, then check a dictionary if needed.
Make Connections – Relate what you’re already know.

3. After Reading

Summarize the Text – Write or say the main points in your own words.
Discuss or Teach Someone – Explaining it to someone else helps reinforce understanding.
Review Notes & Re-read if Needed – Go over key points for better retention.

NOTE : Teacher has to provide different texts to students to read and answering the questions given. Use TIE’s book from page 46-51). Use also other sources to provide more texts.

EXERCISE

Match the words given to their corresponding meanings (pg 52

WORDS

Breathtaking, scattered, ecosystem, gigantic, harmony, unique, sight, habitat, encounter, observe.

1. A famous or interesting place that tourists visit.

2. Look at something carefully and quietly.

3. A community of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment.

4. Extremely impressive or stunning.

5. Spaced or spread out.

6. Agreement of ideas, feelings, or actions or a combination of different parts.

7. See or notice something

8. Distinctive and not like anything else.

9. A place where a particular type of animal or plant usually lives

10. Extremely large or of a great size.

EXERCISE

Fill in the gaps using the words given below bask, planting, chairperson, vote, fertilizer, stadium, wildlife, opposers, ecosystem, free kick, tourism, seedling, fans, election, democracy, goalkeeper, tourists.