Unit 3 - Discussion topic. Selecting & Grading Vocabulary

[Ahuitzotl Niño R.]

Unit 3 - Selecting & Grading Vocabulary

9. Discussion topics.

Choose two of the following tasks:

2. When did you last travel to a country where you didn't speak the language? What were the first words you learned?
It was in 2006 when I fisrt tavelled to Japan and the last time I travelled abroad. In that time I didn´t know how to speak that language and only a few people could speak english there. So I had the necessity to learn some words and phrases as:

“Hoteru” (Hotel)
“Toiret” (Toilet)
“Doco” (Where)
“Ikura” (Cost)
“Yen” (Japanese currency)
“Konichiwa” (Hi)
“Sumimasen” (Excuse me)
“Hai” (Yes)
“Iie” (No)
“Ohayou gozaimasu” (good morning)

Why did you learn these ones?

Because I had the necessity to communicate with the japanese people. I didn´t know anything about their language. So I started to ask for words and phrases that could help me know where the places or buildings where and how much the things cost.

Do you still remember any of them?

I still remember them very clear. I think that the reason why I still remember those words is because of the need and the context.

3. Use a dictionary to check that you know the meanings of these words which can all be used to describe someone’s character.
Cheerful, nosy, stubborn, outgoing, intelligent, gregarious, obstinate, assertive, even-tempered Brainy

Which of these words would you choose to teach to an intermediate group of learners?

I choose these words to teach them to an intermediate group:
Hardworking, easy-going, optimistic, carefree, sociable, reliable, bossy, insecure and calm

How did you make your choice?

Because there are words that are not graded as “Intermediate” level, i.e. stubborn, obstinate, gregarios, etc. This words can fit into an advanced level group.
And there are other words in the list that its register is not appropriate for any group, i.e. nosy and brainy