Importance of Vocabulary

“Actions speak louder than words.” Do you agree? Sure, but sometimes words speak louder than anything else. The words a person uses, or their vocabulary, will often tell their story. For example, isn’t it shocking when the person who looks educated and dignified opens their mouth and their vocabulary horrifies everyone around them? What people say and how they say it, speaks volumes about who they are and what they are capable of.

Thus vocabulary learning is a vital part of education. As part of the language arts, it is considered a CORE subject in formal education. Vocabulary can be built chiefly by two methods: reading and formal vocabulary drill and practice. Obviously, reading is an exercise that has its own rewards, and many students are motivated to enjoy it as a pastime. However, formal vocabulary building is usually not viewed as a “fun” task and is typically left in neglect.

Spelling City is here to change that view by enabling students in all forms of education to enjoy formal but fun vocabulary drill and practice. Though Spelling City assists teachers and student across the world in spelling proficiency, building vocabulary skill is the underlying but primary goal. Formal vocabulary skill is most effectively taught by drill and practice. Sadly, this is where the interest of most students gets lost. Yet, what if the drill consisted of vocabulary games with animation, how about practice that lets you use the vocabulary in sentences set in a fun game environment? These games are designed not only to develop accurate spelling, but chiefly to develop a greater understanding of word meaning.

Spelling City offers many literature based word lists which are perfect for unit studies and other topical based learning methods. However, a study involving only literature based word lists will leave the student’s vocabulary skills lopsided. A balanced approach will involve the systematic study of root words, prefixes and suffixes. These are essentially the building blocks of words or the keys to vocabulary understanding. Once a student masters the three keys of root words, prefixes, and suffixes, an unknown word can simply be broken down and the meaning discovered. Drill and practice with root words, suffixes, and prefixes is now available through the many resources offered in Spelling City.

Visit Learning Vocabulary is Fun for additional root word practice activities.