ESOL 260 - Skill 01 Vocabulary in Context - Conformity

Title: Advanced Academic Reading Skills for English Language Learners

Introduction

  • Compiled by Timothy Krause, Portland Community College, 2019

  • Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

  • Sources: CommonLit.org (Creative Commons License) and public domain images from Pixabay.

Agenda for Today

  • Topics Covered:

    • The U.S. & Pacific NW Questions

    • Vocabulary Review (pages 3-6)

    • Skill 1: Understanding vocabulary using context clues

    • BREAK: 10 minutes

    • Practice Skill: Read "Conformity"

    • Video Discussion: "Is conformity real?"

Vocabulary in Context

Understanding Vocabulary

  • Learn to understand new words from sentence context rather than in isolation.

  • Key Concept: Context helps in guessing the meaning of unfamiliar words.

    • Example: Identifying a basketball player through related clues like uniforms, arena, and cheering fans.

Analyzing Words

  • Conformity Definition: Acting according to the norms of a social group for security and belonging.

  • Example Context: Understanding words like 'conformity' through sentences that provide definition and context.

Types of Context Clues

Definitions

  • Definition Signals: Words that indicate a definition is coming, e.g., "is", "means", "defined as".

  • Example for Conformity: Understanding through clear definitions of terms within sentences.

Synonyms and Antonyms

  • Use in Reading: Synonyms clarify meaning by offering similar terms, while antonyms highlight contrasting ideas.

  • Importance: Often found throughout passages, urging readers to continue reading for context.

Examples

  • Learning Through Examples: Writers may use examples to illustrate a concept rather than provide strict definitions.

  • Signal words for examples include: "for example", "such as".

General Topic

  • Understanding the main idea aids in guessing meaning based on context.

  • Recognizing general topics helps clarify ambiguous terms.

Benefits of Context Clues

  • Effective Reading:

    • Saves time (no need to look up every word).

    • Enhances retention of vocabulary.

    • Contextual understanding improves grasp of language use.

Conclusion

  • Learning vocabulary in context enhances reading skills and comprehension.

  • Continual practice and attention to surrounding words enable stronger understanding and faster reading.