The Lesson Context (Quick Summary)

In the story, shoppers are warned to leave a department store because a troll is transforming people into furniture. The teacher pauses during reading to teach vocabulary that blocks comprehension—then checks understanding and returns smoothly to the story.

This is a strong model for teaching vocabulary in context during guided reading.

Vocabulary Teaching Breakdown (From the Lesson Excerpt)

Below are the key words taught and the teaching techniques used.

1) Teaching “Immediately” (Simple Definition + Personalised Example)

Teacher approach:
The teacher gives a child-friendly meaning and immediately paraphrases it:

• “Immediately means right now. Do it right now, this second.”

• “Leave right now is the same as leave immediately.”

Then the teacher adds a relatable example connected to the student’s life:

• “When Amanda comes home from school, she immediately does her homework.”

✅ Why it works:
This method makes the word concrete and memorable. It moves from meaning → paraphrase → real-life example, which is ideal for young learners.

2) Teaching “Loudspeaker” (Context + CCQ)

Teacher approach:
The teacher explains the word using the setting (a department store):

• “A loudspeaker is a speaker in the ceiling… ‘Attention shoppers!’”

Then the teacher checks comprehension using a CCQ (Concept Checking Question):

• “Do you have a loudspeaker in your classroom?”

✅ Why it works:
Instead of asking “Do you understand?”, the teacher asks a question that requires the student to connect meaning to a familiar environment. That’s a much more reliable comprehension check.

3) Teaching “Orderly Manner” (Simplify + Behavioural Examples)

Teacher approach:
The teacher simplifies and gives behaviour-based meaning:

• “Orderly means in order.”

• “Leave organized, not messy.”

• “No pushing, no running, no shoving.”

✅ Why it works:
Abstract phrases become clear when the teacher turns them into visible actions. Learners can picture what “orderly manner” looks like.

4) Teaching “Security Guard” (Pronunciation Drill + Analogy + Personalisation)

Teacher approach:
The teacher notices pronunciation difficulty and drills the form:

• “Security… Security… Security guard.”

Then the teacher clarifies meaning with an analogy:

• “It is like the police, but the police for one building.”

Then the teacher personalises the concept with questions:

• “Does your apartment have a security guard?”

• “Where have you seen a security guard?”

✅ Why it works:
This is excellent integration of form + meaning + usage:

• Pronunciation support builds confidence

• Analogy makes meaning fast

• Personalisation strengthens retention

5) Teaching “Whisked” (Elicitation + Reformulation)

Teacher approach:
The teacher elicits meaning first:

• “What do you think ‘whisked’ could mean?”

The student attempts meaning (“frantically… grab”), and the teacher responds positively:

• “Nice… I like your use of frantically.”

Then the teacher reformulates accurately:

• “If we whisk someone, it is quick, it is fast. They grabbed her and pushed her towards the door.”

✅ Why it works:
This builds learner autonomy. The student practices inference, and the teacher upgrades accuracy through supportive reformulation instead of blunt correction.

What the Teacher Did Exceptionally Well (Training Notes)

Here are the standout teaching behaviours worth copying.

1) Vocabulary Was Taught Only When Needed

The teacher doesn’t interrupt the lesson to teach random words. Vocabulary teaching happens when a word blocks comprehension.

Best practice: Teach “high-need” vocabulary in the moment.

2) Strong Use of CCQs Instead of “Do You Understand?”

Questions like:

• “Do you have a loudspeaker in your classroom?”

• “Where have you seen a security guard?”

…force learners to apply meaning, not just say yes.

Best practice: Use CCQs that connect meaning to real life.

3) Excellent Scaffolding and Reformulation

When the student’s answer is partial, the teacher validates effort and reformulates:

• Student: “frantically… grab”

• Teacher: “quick, fast… grabbed her and pushed her…”

Best practice: Accept partial meaning, then upgrade language.

4) Meaning + Pronunciation + Usage Were Integrated

Vocabulary teaching wasn’t only definitions. The teacher supported:

• pronunciation (security)

• meaning (analogy)

• usage (context and examples)

Best practice: Teach vocabulary as a package: form, meaning, use.

5) Personalisation Boosted Engagement

The teacher repeatedly connects vocabulary to the student’s world:

• homework

• school announcements

• shopping centres

Best practice: Personal examples create stronger memory and motivation.

Practical Takeaways for ESL Teachers

If you want to teach vocabulary effectively during reading, try this simple checklist:

• ✅ Teach words only when they block understanding

• ✅ Explain in student-friendly language

• ✅ Paraphrase immediately

• ✅ Ask CCQs instead of “Do you understand?”

• ✅ Elicit meaning before explaining (when possible)

• ✅ Reformulate gently to upgrade language

• ✅ Personalise with the learner’s real life