How To Elicit Vocabulary From Students

How to Elicit Vocabulary: 10 Effective Techniques for Language Teachers & Learners

When it comes to learning or teaching a new language, vocabulary acquisition is key. But effective vocabulary teaching isn't just about handing over a word list—it's about guiding learners to discover, recall, and use new words meaningfully. That’s where eliciting vocabulary comes in.

Elicitation is a tried-and-tested method widely used in Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) to make learners more active participants in their learning journey. Instead of passively receiving information, they engage cognitively and emotionally—often remembering vocabulary more effectively as a result.

Whether you're an educator looking to upgrade your lesson planning or a learner aiming to build vocabulary independently, here are ten powerful techniques for eliciting vocabulary in a way that’s memorable, interactive, and fun.

1. Mime

Gestures and facial expressions can go a long way. Acting out verbs (e.g., to run, to sleep) or emotions (happy, confused) allows learners to associate meaning with body language—especially useful in early language stages or with young learners.

💡 Tip for learners: Try miming the word yourself as you say it out loud. You’re more likely to recall it later.

2. Draw

You don’t have to be an artist to use this! A quick sketch on the board or a digital whiteboard can prompt learners to guess the target word. This works especially well for concrete nouns and simple adjectives.

🎓 Drawing activates visual memory, aiding retention even when the artwork is minimal.

3. Context

Providing a sentence or short story with a blank where the word should be helps learners deduce the meaning through usage.

For example:
"He put the books on the _______ and started reading."

🧠 Context-based learning is proven to improve both understanding and long-term recall of new vocabulary.

4. Picture

Using flashcards, slides, or real-world images allows learners to make immediate visual connections to words. This is particularly effective for beginners and visual learners.

📷 Combine imagery with spoken repetition for maximum effect.

5. Synonyms

Introducing a new word alongside one your learners already know helps anchor it.

For example:
"The word brave is a synonym of courageous."

🔁 This approach builds lexical fields and strengthens vocabulary networks in the brain.

6. Antonyms

The opposite of a known word can also be used as a bridge to new vocabulary.
"What’s the opposite of hot? That’s right—cold!"

🌗 Teaching opposites adds depth to vocabulary knowledge and supports better understanding of nuance.

7. Definition

Sometimes, a clear, learner-friendly definition is the most efficient approach. Just make sure it’s in a language your learners can already understand. Note that this method is typically less efficient with beginner students, since they naturally lack the required additional vocabulary to define the term in the first place.

📘 Example: A “book” is something you read that has pages.

8. Props

Objects from the classroom or daily life can become hands-on teaching aids. Holding up a real cup and asking, “What is this?” connects language to physical experience.

🧺 Props work particularly well for tactile learners and kinesthetic engagement.

9. Realia

A step beyond props—realia involves using real-world items like menus, maps, brochures, or even receipts. These materials create authentic language experiences that reflect daily life.

🌍 Realia enhances cultural understanding and contextualises vocabulary in real-life scenarios.

10. Hyponyms

Encourage learners to guess a more specific word under a general category.
*"It’s a type of fruit. It’s yellow and curved. What is it?" → Banana

🌳 This technique helps learners build categories and semantic trees—key components in language fluency.

Why These Techniques Matter

Research in applied linguistics consistently shows that learners retain new vocabulary more successfully when multiple channels—visual, auditory, emotional, and physical—are activated during the learning process. That’s exactly what these elicitation methods do.

From a pedagogical standpoint, eliciting vocabulary promotes learner autonomy, boosts classroom engagement, and fosters deeper cognitive processing. For learners, it transforms passive study into an interactive experience—making Greek (or any language) more approachable and memorable.

Are You Ready to Expand Your Greek Vocabulary?

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