Enhancing English Vocabulary Learning and Teaching at Primary Level

1. Enhancing English Vocabulary Learning and Teaching at Primary Level English Language Education Section Curriculum Development Institute Education Bureau November 2009 2pm-2:15pm Registration 2:15-2:25pm Introduction: 10 mins -Introducing guests and officers -rundown, handouts -evaluation form for collecting personal copies of the resource package at the end -collection of school copies at REO CMEDBCM057/2008 from April 15-30 -introducing Dr. Page Richards- Inspiring Students to Write 2:25-3:25pm A Talk by Dr.Page Richards (1 hr) 3:25-3:45pm Break (20 mins) 3:45-4:45pm Integrating Language Arts Activities into the Primary English Language Curriculum(1 hr ) -fill in evaluation forms and collect personal copies of resource package Dr. Page Richards Dr. Page Richards MA, PhD Harvard; MA Creative Writing, Boston Associate Professor, School of English University of Hong Kong Academic Interests: drama American literature the writing, history, and theory of poetry cultural history of American literary forms history and formal aspects of tragedy literary theory Dr. Page Richards Awards: an award from The Society of Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania for poetry a poetry award from the Vermont Studio Center several teaching awards at Harvard Academic works: a book of translations of selected poems and drama by Victor Hugo� a book of poems �Afternoon at Cancun�� Introduction: 10 mins A Talk by Prof Page Richards (1 hr) Break (15 mins) Introducing resource packages (1 hr 15 mins) Q and A (15 mins)2pm-2:15pm Registration 2:15-2:25pm Introduction: 10 mins -Introducing guests and officers -rundown, handouts -evaluation form for collecting personal copies of the resource package at the end -collection of school copies at REO CMEDBCM057/2008 from April 15-30 -introducing Dr. Page Richards- Inspiring Students to Write 2:25-3:25pm A Talk by Dr.Page Richards (1 hr) 3:25-3:45pm Break (20 mins) 3:45-4:45pm Integrating Language Arts Activities into the Primary English Language Curriculum(1 hr ) -fill in evaluation forms and collect personal copies of resource package Dr. Page Richards Dr. Page Richards MA, PhD Harvard; MA Creative Writing, Boston Associate Professor, School of English University of Hong Kong Academic Interests: drama American literature the writing, history, and theory of poetry cultural history of American literary forms history and formal aspects of tragedy literary theory Dr. Page Richards Awards: an award from The Society of Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania for poetry a poetry award from the Vermont Studio Center several teaching awards at Harvard Academic works: a book of translations of selected poems and drama by Victor Hugo� a book of poems �Afternoon at Cancun�� Introduction: 10 mins A Talk by Prof Page Richards (1 hr) Break (15 mins) Introducing resource packages (1 hr 15 mins) Q and A (15 mins)

2. Resource Package on �Enhancing English Vocabulary Learning and Teaching at Primary Level� Materials in this resource package are mainly developed in collaboration with the three Seed schools participating in the �Seed� Project on �The Magic of Words: Enhancing Effectiveness of English Vocabulary Learning and Teaching at Primary Level�. NewNew

3. Seed Project on �The Magic of Words: Enhancing Effectiveness of English Vocabulary Learning and Teaching at Primary Level� (2006-2008) Seed schools CCC Kei Faat Primary School HHCKLA Buddhist Wisdom Primary School Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road) NewNew

4. Objectives of the resource package introduce the theoretical underpinnings of vocabulary learning and teaching provide some vocabulary-focused learning and teaching materials and activities for teachers� reference and adaptation for use in their own English Language classrooms arouse students� interest in learning English through vocabulary-focused games and activities

5. What does the resource package include? (1) A handbook for teachers theoretical underpinnings of vocabulary learning and teaching teaching plans and activity sheets of the tryout lessons vocabulary games and activities useful references on vocabulary learning and teaching preamble to the development of the Wordlists for the English Language Curriculum These features will be highlighted later in the running the CD-ROM.These features will be highlighted later in the running the CD-ROM.

6. What does the resource package include? (2) A multi-media CD-ROM a preview of all the materials included in this handbook video clips of the tryout lessons the Wordlists for the English Language Curriculum KS1 and KS2 These features will be highlighted later in the running the CD-ROM.These features will be highlighted later in the running the CD-ROM.

7. Contents Chapter 1: Theoretical Underpinnings of Vocabulary Learning and Teaching Chapter 2: Learning and Teaching Materials for Vocabulary Learning and Teaching Chapter 3: Vocabulary Games and Activities Chapter 4: References Appendix 1: Preamble to the Development of the Wordlists for the English Language Curriculum Appendix 2: Learning Targets for KS1 & KS2

8. Module 1: Fun and Games Unit: Sports Module 2: Fun and Games Unit: We Can Make Things Module 3: We Love Hong Kong Unit: A Visit to Hong Kong Module 4: People and Places around Me Unit: Special People in Our Eyes Module 5: Changes Unit : I am Growing Up

9. Recent evidence of inadequate vocabulary of HK university entrants Most 2004 entrants to CUHK knew between 2000 and 3000 English words only (Chiu 2005) International research suggests that students need at least 5000 words to cope with university study in English (Laufer 1989 and 1992)

10. to strengthen the vocabulary component of the English Language curriculum to develop wordlists for schools� or teachers� reference to propose vocabulary targets set for each key stage of learning Development of Wordlists for the English Language Curriculum

11. Strengthening the vocabulary component of the English Language curriculum Planning for the vocabulary content of a unit

12. Vocabulary targets

14. Vocabulary Study General Service List (GSL) - West, 1953 Academic Wordlist (AWL) - Coxhead, 2000 British National Corpus (BNC)

16. Developing English vocabulary

17. Organisation of the Wordlists In alphabetical order

18. Organisation of the Wordlists By category

19. Uses of the Wordlists for reference only a general indication as to what words (and how many) words students should learn at different stages of learning the target number is indicative rather than prescriptive

20. Uses of the Wordlists Do�s and Don�ts ? design meaningful tasks and activities to help students develop their vocabulary knowledge and provide ample opportunities for vocabulary use ? add words to the lists (or replace words) according to the topics and materials students have studied in their classes ? provide students with the flexibility to develop a vocabulary that is personally meaningful ? NOT to ask students to memorise the words mechanically