Which method is preferred for teaching the meaning of the word intercommunication to an ELL?

Which method is preferred for teaching the meaning of the word intercommunication to an ELL?

• A. The teacher has the student analyze and discover the meaning of the morphemes, provide examples and nonexamples of their use, and make a connection with the native language.
• B. The teacher provides direct translation of the word into the native language.
• C. The teacher uses only pictures and gestures to convey the meaning.
• D. The teacher has the student memorize dictionary definitions.

Answer: (A)

Focusing on how ELLs build word meaning, the most effective approach has students unpack the word itself, link it to what they already know, and see concrete usage. Analyzing the morphemes helps reveal meaning: inter- signals “between,” and communication points to exchanging messages. This makes the sense of the whole word clearer and gives a path to recognizing related terms. Providing examples and nonexamples shows how the word works in real contexts and what counts as appropriate use versus when it doesn’t, which strengthens discrimination and application. Connecting to the native language leverages already familiar concepts or cognates, making the new meaning more accessible and reducing reliance on guesswork from translation alone. In contrast, direct translation often misses nuance or leads to false friends, while relying only on pictures and gestures can fail to convey the abstract or formal sense of the term. Memorizing a dictionary definition usually doesn’t promote deep understanding or flexible use in varied contexts.

Focusing on how ELLs build word meaning, the most effective approach has students unpack the word itself, link it to what they already know, and see concrete usage. Analyzing the morphemes helps reveal meaning: inter- signals “between,” and communication points to exchanging messages. This makes the sense of the whole word clearer and gives a path to recognizing related terms.

Providing examples and nonexamples shows how the word works in real contexts and what counts as appropriate use versus when it doesn’t, which strengthens discrimination and application. Connecting to the native language leverages already familiar concepts or cognates, making the new meaning more accessible and reducing reliance on guesswork from translation alone.

In contrast, direct translation often misses nuance or leads to false friends, while relying only on pictures and gestures can fail to convey the abstract or formal sense of the term. Memorizing a dictionary definition usually doesn’t promote deep understanding or flexible use in varied contexts.