My Opinions on Teaching Vocabulary
Most of the English teachers in high schools still teach vocabulary in the traditional way, namely, to teach them in a form of word list. The teacher translates every word into Chiniese and even tells students how to use it. But, in my personal opinion, this could be a uneffective way to teach vocabulary. I doubt how many words can really get into their long-term memory.
I am convinced that the best internalization of vocabulary comes from encounters with words within the context of surrounding discourse. Therefore, a better way to acquire new words is through reading. Students should be provided with chances to read numerous readings in which they are interested. Students then should associate new words with their existing background knowledge. According to Meaningful Learning Theory proposed by David Ausubel, newly-acquired materials have better chance to get into long-term memory if they can be related to what the learner has known.
To conclude, vocabulary should be both learned and taught within context, not in the form of a list.
Well said, Hyde. I also consider extensive reading an effective way to learn new words. Reading for pleasure gives students to come across new words in a very natural way. The bottom line is that we need to teach students necessary reading strategies so that they can stop relying on their teachers for knowledge.