Which practice best supports vocabulary development for second-language learners?

• A. Model enriched vocabulary and provide opportunities to use it.
• B. Limit opportunities to use new words.
• C. Focus only on grammar rules.
• D. Rely on translation dictionaries exclusively.

Answer: (A)

For second-language learners, vocabulary grows strongest when students hear and see rich words in authentic contexts and then have frequent chances to use those words themselves. Modeling enriched vocabulary—pronunciation, nuances, common collocations, and appropriate register—gives learners clear, accurate examples of how words sound and behave in real speech and writing. When teachers follow that with opportunities to use the new words in speaking and writing, students move from passive recognition to active retrieval and production, which solidifies meaning and helps retention. This combination supports understanding and expression across topics, helping learners build a usable active vocabulary.

Limiting opportunities to use new words stalls progress and hinders fluency, and focusing only on grammar misses the vocabulary students need to communicate. Relying solely on translation dictionaries provides quick references but does not cultivate the ability to use words in natural sentences or grasp nuances and collocations.