Hi, Jason-sensei! I have started studying vocabulary and reading English articles on the Internet. I started watching English movies and dramas and I’ve been writing down what the characters say.
Did you work on show and tell like we did in the previous article?
(この前の記事の”show and tell”はやってみた?)
サキ
Yes I did and I’m really getting the hang of it! I’ve been able to do it at anytime. Like this…
“These are potato chips that I’m eating right now. This is my breakfast, although it’s already afternoon. I chose potato chips for my breakfast because I’m too lazy to get some proper food.”
Show and tell is such a good stay-home-activity! What have you been doing for fun recently?
(”show and tell”はステイホームにぴったり!ジェイソン先生は最近楽しいことあった?)
ジェイソン
Nothing special, but an interesting thing is, because of our conversations, I’ve been applying more and more of what we’ve been talking about to my own Japanese studies. It’s made studying a lot more enjoyable!
Great example! One of the most important things when using the Frayer Model, is to understand what distinguishes the term or concept from other things. Using a word like “engulf,” which is an extreme situation, is a great choice.
When I googled the word “engulf,” many pictures of fires showed up and I could have a clear image of the word. Also I learned there is a graph called an engulfing bar, that you see when you are looking at stock prices.
It sounds like Google image was very helpful for this Frayer Model. Not only do you now have a visual to help you understand the word more, you were also able to learn other new vocabulary!
It’s very effective, isn’t it? Let’s move on to the next word.
(効果的だよね。では次の単語を紹介するよ。)
ジェイソン
What do you mean by Saitama, Yamanashi, and Nagano?
(埼玉、山梨、長野ってどういうこと?)
サキ
Those prefectures don’t face the ocean, so they don’t have a chance to see an “ebb.”
(海なし県だから”ebb”を見る機会がないの。)
ジェイソン
I see. It’s important to write things down in your own words. The more you can do that, the clearer you can understand things. After all, the Frayer Model is only for your study, so it’s perfectly fine if only you can understand it.
And no offense to the people from Saitama, Yamanashi, and Nagano! Believe me, I was born in Yamanashi.
(そして埼玉、山梨、長野の方に対して悪気はございません。私、山梨生まれですから!)
ジェイソン
But you know, if there were to make a Frayer Model chart to this word, they might use the same examples! Isn’t that interesting?
(でもさ、海なし県の人も同じ例を使うかもしれないよ?そうだったらおもしろいね。)
サキ
Yes, I’m really having a fun time making Frayer Model notes, especially when I write something that relates to me! Let’s look at the next one, which is my favorite.
Usually “emancipate” is used in the context of slavery, but this is very funny.
(普通”emancipate”は奴隷に関する話で出てくる言葉だけど、これはおもしろいね。)
サキ
I tried to draw a picture of Lincoln, but it was difficult, so I ended up with the genie.
(リンカーンの絵を描こうとしたんだけど難しかったからジーニーにした。)
ジェイソン
That is a great example of using prior knowledge to increase comprehension. While people in general might think of Lincoln, this is an example that works for you! In addition, through the physical process of handwriting your examples and providing an illustration, you’ve activitated the kinesthetic, or sensory, learning.
What great examples you’ve provided! As you can see, you’ve engaged your different senses in order to grow a better understanding of the vocabulary. Research shows that, with greater sensory engagement, students can have a better learning experience.
I’m sure that the important thing is to use visual aids that work for you. It doesn’t matter how well you can draw!
(自分にとって視覚的に理解できるものを使うことが大事だと思うよ。絵の上手さは関係ない!)
ジェイソン
What’s more, the Frayer Model doesn’t require any difficult study styles or fancy apps. Whether you’re studying vocabulary, a concept, or a topic, no matter what level of learner you are, it is a great tool for studying! Give it a try!