How many times should you repeat a new word for students to remember, and how many new words should you introduce in each class?
The number of times you need to repeat a new word for students to understand/remember can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the word, the student's age and learning style, and the context in which the word is introduced.
There is this popular theory called the Rule of Seven, which suggests that learners typically need to encounter new information at least seven times before it becomes firmly embedded in their long-term memory. Seven words, steps, or points are the maximum for optimal memory retention, which means that in a language classroom, you shouldn't teach more than seven new words.
I personally stick to 4 to 6 new words per class. In the teaching phase, I repeat each word 3 to 4 times, and then we practice. I create activities and games that make students use new words in different contexts. The key is to provide multiple exposures to the word in varied and engaging ways to support students' memory and understanding.
Use Concept Checking Questions (CCQs) to check understanding. Ask simple yes/no questions to determine comprehension, and then you can focus on choral drilling. Also, note MPF (Meaning > Pronunciation > Form). It's not advisable to reveal the written form before your students grasp the sound associated with the image (especially for non-abstract concepts). This caution stems from the intricate relationship between speech and writing in English, which can lead to confusion with word combinations and their corresponding pronunciations.
How many times do you repeat a new word in your classes?
