I was so glad to see informal conversations listed as a
great way to teach new vocabulary. In order to find out what type of books a
student may be interested in reading, I am constantly engaging in informal conversations.
We will discuss what they like to do in their free time, what they watch on
T.V., video games and current events as well as past books read. During these conversations,
I talk in my normal conversational manner which often includes words that the
kids do not normally use or hear. In turn, I often learn some new slang that is
common in their conversational manner. I always ask them to explain what a word
means and if needed when it would make sense for me to use that word, they are
comfortable asking me about some of the words I use as well. Since the new words
I introduce are common in my conversation they become repeat words for the kids
and hopefully part of their concrete vocabulary.
