Welcome to term 4! I look forward to a productive and positive term with your children. An ongoing area of development, especially for this final term of the year for EALD students, is to build and broaden their range of vocabulary. This is the set of words that we know and use in a language. It includes:
- Receptive Vocabulary: The words we understand when we read or listen. This is usually larger than the words we speak.
- Expressive Vocabulary: The words we use when we talk or write. This shows how we communicate our thoughts and ideas.
Vocabulary is essential for effective communication, comprehension of texts, and overall language development. A rich vocabulary enables individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas more clearly and precisely.
You are able to support your child’s vocabulary development at home.
Uplevel Language: Prompt your child to use more descriptive and sophisticated words instead of common ones. Modell this in your own communication too. For instance, instead of saying “big,” try using “enormous” or “immense.”
Enjoy Reading Together: Spend time reading books in both English and your home language. Talk about new words and their meanings as you read. Ask questions and ensure you link back to the text. It is beneficial to read a story more than once.
Engage in Word Games: Play interactive games like Scrabble, Hedbanz, Spot it, Bananagrams, word searches, or any games to help your child discover and practice new vocabulary and build confidence, as well as having fun with words and speech.
Kind regards,
Sasha Key
EALD Mondays and Tuesdays
