ELTWeekly Vol. 3 Issue#99 | September 26 | ISSN 0975-3036
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Ms. Anisha is M.Phil. (ELT), M.A., B.Ed. and has worked as a lecturer in S.D. Girls College, Hansi. Her interest in stylistics and Indian religious poetry has given recourse to undertake it as a topic for Ph.D. Consequently, she is pursuing research in Applied Linguistics at BPS Women University, Khanpur Kalan, Distt. Sonipat (Haryana) under the able supervision of Dr. Amrita Sharma.
Newspapers are valuable but often less utilized as a classroom resource. There is a breadth of coverage in them and they are linguistically topical and up-to-date. This is an interesting aid to teach English language.
Newspapers have become a part and parcel of modern life. They wield a tremendous power in moulding the public opinion. They have become a powerful means of bringing about reforms in the social structure and also causing an impact on government policy. Newspapers bring us news of all kinds. We can read a newspaper because we have a general competence of a language. But can this process be reversed i.e. can English be taught with the help of a newspaper? Yes, it is quite possible. We can use the language written by experts in the newspapers to teach and improve language.
Although pieces of news, articles, letters to the Editor and all other printed items can be used to teach English but since advertisements draw attention of the learners and readers, they can be an interesting means of teaching English. Use of the mass media as a teaching instrument in the classroom has increased considerably at all grade levels in the past few years. Newspapers have been used in the U.S.A. and U.K. classrooms for many years and have proven their worth as an educational tool for teaching English. So why not in India! Recently in India, English teachers also seem to be conscious for using them in teaching. Teaching through newspapers is effective because they motivate content learning and develop language skills.
Newspapers are used worldwide in education because they are a clean print resource that can be marked, cut, pasted, discarded, and then replaced the next day. It is also the only text that most of the students may continue reading throughout their lives because they are economical as compared to books and all inclusive. In fact, the newspapers are a flexible and adaptable learning resource that can be used effectively in almost all subjects and in any instructional situation. Newspapers are much more current than course books as they make an excellent springboard for lessons, and they feature different types of language (narratives, stories, problem-page letters, advertising, reports, weather forecasting, horoscopes, spiritual nuggets, book reviews, etc.).
Here, it would not be out of place to mention that newspapers keep on adding the news column and updating old ones to suit the taste of common readers.
Role of Advertisements:
“The advertisement is one of the most interesting and difficult of modern literary forms.”1 – Aldous Huxley
Accordingly newspaper plays very creative role in ELT. Advertisement, being an important feature of newspaper, is also beneficial resource in ELT. Using the feature, the teacher can teach vocabulary, pronunciation etc. Newspaper advertisements are of many types. It may contain classified advertisements, matrimonial advertisements, sales advertisements (to sale computer, books, magazines, furniture, clothes, shoes, shampoo, soap, cosmetic products, electronic products, property etc.), advertisements for admission in school/ college, advertisements for job vacancies etc.
Aims and Objectives of Using ‘Newspaper Advertisements’ in Teaching English:
The aim of teaching English through newspaper advertisements is for students to ‘know English’ rather than to ‘know about English’. This involves the receptive skills (listening and reading) and productive skills (speaking and writing).
- The focus of the research study is on the usage of newspaper advertisements in teaching vocabulary.
- To instill in students a positive and comfortable attitude towards English language both inside and outside the classroom.
“Research has shown….the effects of various forms of anxiety
on acquisition: the less anxious the learner, the better language
acquisition proceeds. Similarly, relaxed and comfortable
students apparently can learn more in shorter periods of time.”2
- To develop learners’ existing extra-linguistic skills, such as imagination, creation, and analytic thinking.
Different types of advertisements can be used effectively to develop vocabulary of learners. All the above information tells us about the need of enriching the vocabulary of students. For the enrichment of vocabulary, different strategies can be used that are following:
Strategy 1: Association
Association means collision of the words within a semantic boundary to represent an idea. Association is a league. It works on syntagmatic axis. For example, the words bud, leaf, flower, blossom, butter-fly etc. are associated with one another. So, different types of vocabulary can be taught through association such as business vocabulary, health vocabulary, classroom vocabulary, relationship vocabulary etc. Here, under the words of two different types of vocabulary are linked with two different strings:
Student Son-in-law
Daughter Teacher
Father
School Niece
Exam classroom
Strategy 2: Using Pictures (Look and Say)
Look and Say is the technique in which students listen to the teacher and look at the object or print, then repeat a word or sentence after the teacher. The teacher points to the words on the chalkboard or individually points to the print on a page or in a textbook. Teachers can use pictures for teaching vocabulary. Here the teacher makes pictures on the flash cards according to the target word. Thus, students feel captivated for learning through this strategy. This method also increases the retaining power of the learners.
Strategy 3: Synonyms and Antonyms
This is also one of the popular ways of vocabulary teaching. Here the teacher provides one word in a pair of synonym/antonym to the student and asks him to give the word that means the same, or that means exactly the opposite to the key word. He provides the key word and also gives the alternative words, and asks the learners to memorize them. In most of the cases, he may ask them to use these in their own sentences. The teachers also use sketches, pictures, small cards and exercises to impart understanding and practice in using root words, prefixes, and suffixes. This is a passive mode of vocabulary teaching because the learning takes place without language experience.
This process of bringing ideas or events together in memory or conceptualization is a strong strategy for English learners.
Strategy 4: Conversation (dialogue box):
(a) In a bank:
Customer: Good Morning, Sir.
Manager: Good Morning. Please, have a seat.
Customer: Sir, I want to set up a factory for manufacturing spare parts for cars. My capital is not sufficient for the completion of the factory; therefore, I need some financial help from your bank.
Manager: Oh! A very good idea, indeed! So, you have aspirations to set up a factory. Yes, our bank can provide you loan for your factory. Our Assistant Manager is a competent man. He will tell you about the terms and conditions for getting the loan and give you the necessary advice in this matter.
Customer: Thank you, Sir.
Manager: Welcome!
(b) In a Doctor’s Clinic:
Patient: Good Morning, Sir.
Doctor: Good Morning. Please have a seat. What is your problem?
Patient: Sir, I am feeling weakness in my body.
Doctor: You should take food that can provide your body proper nutrition.
Patient: What does nutrition mean?
Doctor: Nutrition means a nutritious diet. Nutritious diet means there must be vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates etc. in your diet and for healthy life, you should use less spices in your food and use food that preserve your health.
(c) In a Garment Showroom:
Customer: Good Evening, Sir.
Salesman: Good Evening, Sir. What can I do for you?
Customer: Sir, I want to buy a good suit of clothes.
Salesman: Try this one (showing one). This is really magnificent.
Customer: After trying the suit how am I looking?
Salesman: You are looking gorgeous in this suit. I have been selling the dresses of this company for a decade.
Customer: All right. I would like to buy this one for sure. Kindly pack this one for me.
Strategy 5: Lead Questions
Questioning is another strategy that can be used in lessons at all levels. The most frequent use of questioning is, however, to lead students to discover patterns, put items into categories, and find labels for the categories. To do this, teachers typically use the chalkboard and write names of categories across the top. Teachers can begin by placing example items in the categories, and then ask questions such as:
Question-Answer Form:
Target Word: Capital
Q:-1 What are the Tatas famous for?
Probable Ans.: – Tatas are famous for iron and steel industry and Tata Motors.
Q: – 2 What is most needed for setting up an industry?
P. Ans. Money is the most needed thing for setting up an industry. OR Money
Q: – 3 Do you know about a particular word that can be used for money to set up an industry or business?
Probable Ans: – The money needed for setting up an industry/ business is called Capital.
Target Word: Financial
Q: – 1 Do you have a car?
Probable Ans: – Yes/No.
Q:-2. Have you bought/purchased the car with your own money?
Probable Ans: – Yes/ No.
Q:-3. If we take a loan from a bank for buying a car or some other equipments/ household gadgets, people generally say that it was financed by the bank. Do you know what is finance/ financial?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Explanation by the teacher- The matters related with money, loans etc. are called financial matters and money related with these matters is called finance.
Target Word- Investment
Q:-1 Have you built a house of your own?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Q:-2 Have you rent a portion out of it?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Q:-3 How much rent do you get for it?
Probable Ans. ……….
Q:-4 Could you get the rent if you had not spent money in building the house?
Probable Ans. No.
Q:-5 Do you know a particular word used for money in building a house/ setting up a business which helps in earning rent/ profit? If yes, tell me that word.
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Explanation by the teacher- The money we spend for earning rent/ profit in future time is called investment.
Target Word- Requisite:
Q:-1 Why do you want to obtain a B.A. degree?
Probable Ans: – To get a good job.
Q:-2 Do you think that a B.A. degree is necessary for a good job?
Probable Ans: – Yes/ No.
Explanation by the teacher:
When a thing/ degree is necessary for a job/ something else, it is called a requisite thing, such as a requisite information, requisite qualification, etc. In these examples, the word requisite has been used as an adjective.
When a degree, a qualification or something else is necessary for a certain career, activity, it is called a requisite for the same. Here, the word requisite has been used as a noun.
Target Word – Aspiration:
Q:-1 What do you want to become after completing your education?
Probable Ans. Different answers.
Q: – 2. How strong is your desire to become a …………?
Probable Ans. Very strong.
Explanation by the teacher:
When someone has a strong desire to become an actor or businessman etc., we can say that he has serious aspirations to become an actor/businessman.
Q: – 3. After earning a lot of money, what do you want to possess in life?
Probable Ans. A fine house, an expensive car and a lot of good clothes.
Explanation by the teacher:
So, you have aspirations for possessing a fine house, a fine car and good clothes.
Target Word – Million:
Q: – 1. Do you know what will be the result if we multiply one thousand by one thousand?
Probable Ans. Ten Lac.
Explanation by the teacher- In English or European or American system of counting the number ten lac is called a million and the plural of the word million is ‘millions’ which is commonly used.
Target Word – Stunning:
Q: – 1. Have you ever seen something which made you extremely surprised?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
The teacher can give one of the students a chance to tell about the thing that surprised him/ her.
Q: – 2. Were you surprised or shocked at that time?
Probable Ans. Surprised/ Shocked.
Explanation by the teacher:
A thing or an incident that surprises or shocks us can be termed as stunning. Something that impresses us is also called stunning.
Target Word – Destination:
Q: – 1. Have you ever travelled by bus or train?
Probable Ans. Yes.
Q: – 2. Name a place, where do you want to go?
Probable Ans. Different answers.
Explanation by the teacher:-
The place where you want to go is your destination.
Target Word – Quest (n):
Q: – 1. Why do you read books?
Probable Ans. To get knowledge/ To pass our examination.
Explanation by the teacher –
When someone is searching for something, he is said to be in quest of that thing such as truth, knowledge, adventure etc.
Target Word – Accolade:
Q: – 1. Have anyone of you ever won a prize?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Q: – 2. Did the audience clap when you received the prize?
Probable Ans. Yes.
Q: – 3. Did you feel honoured at that time?
Probable Ans. Yes.
Explanation by the teacher –
When someone is selected for some activities that bring him praise and honour; it is considered to a high accolade to him or her.
Target Word- Inevitable:
Q: – 1. Who will be defeated if ten persons are fighting against one person?
Probable Ans. One / The person who is alone.
Explanation by the teacher:
When something is impossible to avoid or is certain to happen, it is termed as inevitable.
Target Word – Cardiologist:
Q: – 1. Do you know who treats the heart- patients?
Probable Ans. A doctor/ heart-specialist.
Q: – 2. Do you know the technical term used for a heart- specialist?
Probable Ans. No.
Explanation by the teacher:
A heart- specialist is also called a cardiologist.
Target Word – Gorgeous:
Q: – 1. Have you recently seen a colourful and beautiful dress that pleased you very much?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Q: – 2. Do you know any other word for a thing or dress etc. that is very beautiful and pleases you very much?
Probable Ans. Yes/ No.
Explanation by the teacher:
A very beautiful thing that provides us much pleasure can be called gorgeous.
In order to build good vocabulary one needs to work persistently and incessantly. This purpose can be met through vocabulary strengthening exercises such as fill in the blanks, scrambled words, matching words, daily puzzles, etc.
Conclusion:
Newspaper advertisements can be used for learning a variety of things such as grammar, structural patterns, idioms and phrases, collocations, associations, vocabulary, so on and so forth. In this research paper, the emphasis is laid on teaching of vocabulary with the adroit usage of various strategies that can wonder to strengthen the learners’ vocabulary and also its applications in their day-to-day life. It is vocabulary that makes one confident enough to express oneness in an effective and impressive manner.
- Being rich in variety of words, phrases, collocations, idioms, associations and different structures, newspapers can be relied upon for a variety of purposes.
- The conventional way of vocabulary building by picking up words from advertisements and learning them appears to be gloomy. It can be made interesting by using different teaching strategies.
- The use of strategies helps learners to grasp, understand and retain words.
- The errors committed by the learners during the process help the teacher to map their development stage.
End Notes:
1C. E. Chandler, Use the News: Press to Rea: Literacy Now 31(1988):21.
2Brian Tomlinson, Materials Development in Language Teaching (UK: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007) 8.
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