Learning English » English Grammar http://www.learning-english.ca Learn English Online Thu, 27 May 2010 21:04:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2970 en hourly 1 A rose is a pretty flower that rose out of the ground. http://www.learning-english.ca/a-rose-is-a-pretty-flower-that-rose-out-of-the-ground/ http://www.learning-english.ca/a-rose-is-a-pretty-flower-that-rose-out-of-the-ground/#comments Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:41:08 +0000 admin http://www.learning-english.ca/?p=96 There are over 3,000 homographic words in the English language (more in U.S. English). Words that are spelled exactly the same way yet have a different meaning. There is no way to tell what the usage is other than by memorization or sentence context, so how do you get young minds to grasp such a confusing concept? This is one of the most frustrating parts of the language that ESL students must conquer as the learn English. Here are a few exercises that the ESL student might practice to help familiarize themselves with homonyms:

Story Time- Make a list of several homographic words and then make-up a sentence using each word. Example: When you close the door make sure you do not come close to hitting your hand.

Try to use words that would be used in ordinary conversation rather than those homographs that are rarely used.

Pictures- Find as many pictures as possible that represent the words on your homographic list. Arrange the pictures and words face down and have the students try the ‘Match Game’. A match is made when the students match the words to a picture representing its meaning. Example: the word pen could be matched with a picture of a play pen or a picture of an ink pen.

Worksheet- create a worksheet that uses homographic words by creating pictures of each meaning of the words, then match the two different meanings with the correct word, example: use a picture of a king (ruler) and a picture of a yardstick (ruler) among other similar words where the student must draw a line or circle the two meanings of the word.

These are just a few samples of how a difficult subject like homographic words can be approached. Combined with standard homographic spelling and definition worksheets, these methods can make a difficult task easier for elementary school minds to grasp.

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