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Articles |
Using etymology in the classroom
Herbert Pierson is Lecturer in the ELT Unit and Instructional Developmental Officer at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he has worked for the past sixteen years. He holds an Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction from SUNY-Albany. His current research interest consists of intergrating English studies more closely with other academic disciplines at the university in order to produce a more challenging and enriching learning experience for undergraduates.
This article argues that instruction in etymology, although at present neglected in the second-language curriculum, could offer meaningful linguistic information and principles to the intermediate/advanced second-language learner. Etymology, the study of word origins, has all the attributes of what educational psychologists term meaningful learning. This is a type of learning connected to prior learning, more highly retainable and generalizable, making it superior to simple rote learning of vocabulary. Practical illustrations of how etymology could be integrated into a second-language programme are given, based on the author's own experience as an ESL specialist in Hong Kong.