TESL 130 - Vocabulary Activity

Mix and match the vocabulary word with the definition.

The pre-reading vocabulary activity would include the learners doing a mix and match with the words they will encounter and they must establish what they think the words mean. As a group, the instructor would go over each word as well as the possible definitions. As a group, the instructor can discuss the possible words the learners may already know or have heard before.

During the reading the learners can re-adjust their answers from the original word matching task. They can use the context of what they are reading to work on the definition.

The post-reading activity would include the learners sharing with a partner what they think the words mean. There would then be a group discussion on the vocabulary.

Aboriginal	the descendants of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, who were the first inhabitants of the land now called Canada.  First Nations, Métis and Inuit people are Canada’s Aboriginal peoples.
Trend	things seem to be going in a certain direction.  For example, after the Stock Market crashed, experts said that our economy was on a downward trend.
Disaster	when something very bad happens. It could be a natural event (storm, tsunami, flood) or it could be because something fails (a system, a business or the stock market).
Caledon Institute	a not-for-profit organization which works to inform and influence public opinion and to foster public discussion on poverty and social policy issues.
Contributing	those who are able to give back to their society in different ways.
Social requirements	Things someone may need or ask for from the government.  For example, someone may need income support (sometimes referred to as welfare) because they have difficulty finding work.
Post-secondary education	Education beyond the high school level.  This includes college, technical school or university.
K-12	Canada’s education system which generally begins in Kindergarten and ends in Grade 12.
Mature student	someone who returns to school as an adult.
First Nations	In the 1970’s, people began to use the term First Nations to replace the word “Indian”.  Indian bands in Manitoba began to call themselves First Nations (for example, Peguis First Nation).  The term is also used in a more generic sense, for example, “First Nations Youth.”
Precious resource	Something or someone you value.  For example, we often talk about children as a precious resource.  This means they are special and important to us.
adequate	You have enough or about the right amount.  For example, you could say that a person has adequate funds to go to college, so they don’t need to get a student loan.