Picture-associated Language Learning: Part 1

The Laubach Method: A visual way to teach vocabulary.

How can you help your learner expand her vocabulary? 

Try using an approach similar to the Laubach Way to English, a classic and well-established, tightly-controlled method used to teach vocabulary to adults with low literacy.

To illustrate, let's look at how the Laubach method would teach the words vocabulary words "boy and "girl" and the grammatical difference between boy/boys and girl/girls.

 
1. First, in the example above, the tutor would present the picture to his learner. 

2. Next, the tutor would point to to the figures in the picture and repeat the word relevant to each figure or set of figures. In other words, while pointing to the picture of the boy, he would say "boy," likewise when pointing to the pictures of the boys, the girl and the girls.

3. Next, in the student's notebook or on a separate sheet of paper, the tutor would write out the words boy, boys, girl, girls.

4. Next, the tutor would point to and read each word aloud. As he pointed to and read the word boy, he would ask the learner to point to the picture of the boy. He would do the same for the words boys, girl, girls.

5. Then the tutor would turn the vocabulary list over and say each word. He would ask the learner to point to the picture that matches each word.

In the example above, the learner learns not only the words "boy" and "girl," but also hears and sees the difference (in the suffix "s") between one boy and three boys, one girl and two girls.

Next, by associating the pictures to the written words that represent them, the learner learns to read new words. Finally, by listening carefully and looking, the learner detects the subtle but critical marker English uses to distinguish singular nouns (boy, girl) from plural regular nouns (boys, girls). This difference can be difficult to catch - in English, we use the suffix "-s" to distinguish most singular nouns from their plurals. Yet in Korean and many other languages, the spelling of a noun doesn't change depending on number. In Korean for example, one merely says "one boy" and "three boy"; the number does all the work, leaving the noun unchanged. 

If you're interested in learning more about the Laubach method, we have a full set of Laubach materials available for loan. Just stop by the office.
Alternatively, you can download Laubach illustrations (for free!). Just keep in mind that the prescribed and pre-determined Laubach vocabulary list may not directly address your learner's specific vocabulary needs.

So if your learner needs to use the Laubach method to learn words like "receptionist," "cavity" or "drill," words that she needs for a visit to the dentist, you won't find those words within a level one Laubach booklet! Yet, you can create your own set of Laubach materils that relate to that visit. Just use the model shown above with boy, boys, girl, girls, and apply the method. 

In Part 2 of this post, I'll pass along some suggestions on how to do just that!

Happy Tutoring!

Jiyoung

Jiyoung Song
Programs and Social Media Intern, English At Large
Dartmouth College, Class of 2016 
 

ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
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