Challenging Everyday Words and Tricky Terms
Challenging Everyday Words and Tricky Terms
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Challenging Everyday Words and Tricky Terms
What do you already know about college words and tricky vocabulary?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will recognise and use key college-level words in context, understand tricky or irregular words, and apply strategies for decoding unfamiliar vocabulary.
What Are College Words?
College words are terms commonly found in higher education. They can be academic or everyday language used more formally.
Examples of College Words
Words like 'assignment', 'submit', 'lecture', and 'discussion' are often used. These words appear frequently in college settings.
Understanding Context
Context helps you guess the meaning of unfamiliar words. Look at the sentences around the word.
The Man Went to Pick Up the Baby
Some sentences contain daily actions but use formal or precise terms. Can you identify the key action in this sentence?
What Makes a Word Tricky?
Tricky words can have silent letters, irregular spelling, unexpected pronunciation, or unusual meaning.
Common Tricky Words
Example: 'knight', the 'k' is silent. Example: 'psychology', the 'p' is silent.
Words with Silent Letters
Words with Irregular Spelling
Example: 'colonel' (pronounced 'kernel'). Example: 'yacht'.
Pronouncing Tricky Words
'Receipt' – remember the silent 'p'. Practice repeating tricky words aloud.
Words with Different Meanings
'Fine' can mean money you pay, or it can mean something is okay. Context matters.
Guess the Tricky Word!
A group of students was given an 'assignment'. What do you think 'assignment' means in this context?
Homophones and Confusing Words
Homophones
E.g., 'accept' vs 'except', 'affect' vs 'effect'.
Words that sound the same but have different meanings: 'there', 'their', 'they're'.
Commonly Confused
When Words Look Alike
'Principal' (school leader) vs. 'principle' (rule or law). Spot the difference.
Breaking Down Words
Use prefixes and suffixes to work out meanings. For example: 'unhappy' = 'not happy'.
Strategies for Learning New Words
Keep a word journal, look up words, use them in sentences, and practise with flashcards.
Reading Activity
Read a short text and highlight all the tricky or unfamiliar words you notice.
Discuss What You Find
Share your highlighted words with a partner. Explain why you found them tricky.
Check Your Understanding
Can you use three new words in sentences? Write your examples.
Reflection
Why is learning tricky words important for your studies? Reflect and share your thoughts.
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Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
