Lecture 1: Five Principles for Learning Vocabulary
- I know the word and can recognize and understand it while
reading, but I probably wouldn’t feel comfortable using it in
writing or speech. - I know the word well and can use it in writing and speaking.
z As you learn new words throughout this course, remember the
dimmer-switch metaphor. Don’t feel that you have to master new
words immediately, as if your brain were an on/off switch. It may
take some time and practice before you feel comfortable with a
new word.
ż In fact, we know from vocabulary research that it takes
multiple exposures across many contexts before we really start
to “know” a word.ż For example, one study conducted by literacy researchers
Beck, Perfetti, and McKeown found that we need 12 exposures
to a word before there’s a difference in our comprehension of a
passage containing that word.Factotum (noun)Someone hired to do a variety of jobs; a jack-of-all-trades.z Let’s explore the word factotum as an example of best practices
LQ YRFDEXODU\ OHDUQLQJ )LUVW ZH VWDUW ZLWK D FOHDU GH¿QLWLRQ $
factotum is someone hired to do a variety of jobs, someone who has
many responsibilities, a jack-of-all-trades.z Second, place the word in context, using it in a sentence. For
H[DPSOH ³7HVVDWKHRI¿FHIDFWRWXPGRHVWKHELOOLQJDQVZHUVWKH
phones, helps out in the PR department, and even knows how to
cook a mean blueberry scone—she’s indispensable!”z Third, make connections to the word. Think of some examples of
a factotum in your life, such as a general handyman or even your