5/31/07
Why Greek and Latin in 2007?
As you know, English has its roots in several languages. Especially numerous are those whose prefixes, suffixes and root words derive from Greek and Latin. As has been said often, if you can recognize the parts, you’ll understand the whole. Regardless of what lies ahead for students, knowledge of words’ components will make learning and many advanced studies far easier to comprehend.
There are numerous ways to present this valuable information to students —and to test for recall. One can be a list of 20 alphabetical words to be learned; another a list related to one area of study, such a medicine, biology, etc. Although students can memorize lists and pass tests to prove their mastery, studies show that these methods seldom result in permanent learning.
This is why I chose the format for Word Web that first gives students a visual concept of related words. Secondly, I provide definitions and various examples of each word’s use. Some of the web words are plain roots while others are compounded by prefixes and/or suffixes. Being able to break these apart into its members is a skill that serves learning well.
Spanish speaking students will recognize many of these word parts. Relating them to the corresponding English word will greatly enable their learning. The reverse is equally true for students using Word Web. English speakers learning a Romance language (French, Spanish, Italian) will also be able to make quick connections from the new word to the long-known one.
As is obvious to anyone familiar with these fields, those going into medical or scientific careers will be greatly aided by their knowledge of the Greek/Latin word parts. But, those in other fields will be equally helped by the Word Web approach. For students who will be reading English literature or studying Romance languages, this knowledge will surely give them the necessary keys for deciphering unknown words or terminology—a real “heads up.” Although Word Web Vocabulary’s volumes do not cover all the possible word parts, they do cover the most essential and frequently used ones.
Here’s a guide for choosing a vocabulary program that makes the best use of the Greek and Latin connections. Look at any number of currently available vocabulary publications. Analyze each one’s approach to the teaching of word parts. Check how many of these volumes refer frequently to earlier words. Do they stress continuous review? Do they compare and contrast similar words? Do they present plans for students to use these words in frequent writing? In research? As found in familiar literature? Do they show words’ connections in one language to those of another?
They certainly should show these relationships and many more to be truly valuable to the learning and literacy of your students. If you compare I’m sure you’ll see the excellence, superiority and value of Word Web Vocabulary.
If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you at elinormiller@seepub.com. And if you do make contact I’ll even explain what I mean when I say students using Word Web Vocabulary become immersed not just exposed to word study.
That’s my word for now.
Ellie
