Peter Horton - Educator

Unit 6 – The Importance of Vocabulary

What is Vocabulary?

First, let’s think about this question: What is the most essential part of learning a language—Speaking, Reading, Listening, Writing, Grammar, or Vocabulary?

For example:

“Can you please read the story on page one of my book?”

“Can you tell me about the Grammar points at the bottom of page one?”

“Can you tell me what you think of the story?”

Now, notice this: if the book is an E-Book but you don’t see the words, then you can’t really understand it. Maybe you can’t speak a language without words. What do you think?

In fact, if you know only 20 words, you can’t write much. If you know 100 words, you can write a little more. However, research shows you need about 650 words to understand 65% of everyday English.

So, let’s practice—try writing a story for my book using at least 100 words. What will you write about?

Why Learn English?

Next, let’s explore why learning words is so important.

Letters of the alphabet represent images in our minds.

Moreover, letters can show emotions and form the foundation of languages.

Words, made of letters, can express ideas, beliefs, feelings, and culture.

Just like bricks build a house, words build a language.

Finally, words shape people’s lives, customs, countries, and even power.

Since sentences are made up of words, they must be used correctly to share ideas, opinions, and feelings. Therefore, the correct use of words is essential to express the right meaning.

So, what do you think about how single words or groups of words affect communication?

The Magic of Letters and Words

Now, imagine every letter as a secret key that unlocks stories, pictures, and feelings. These keys help us form words, just like colors help a painter create art.

In addition, letters carry history and tradition. For instance, the letter A often signals a beginning, while the letter B reminds us there are two sides to every story.

Making Culture with Language

Furthermore, letters and words are like colorful threads in a tapestry. They show us how people live and what they believe. For example, Arabic calligraphy reveals both art and culture, while Chinese characters like 福 (fortune) and 囍 (double happiness) share traditions.

Customs and Thinking

Also, languages shape how people think. For example, English uses the word queue to mean waiting politely in line. Meanwhile, German has the word schadenfreude, meaning joy at someone else’s bad luck. These words give us a peek into how different cultures see the world.

Language Changing with People

Finally, remember that languages change as people change. They grow, mix, and adapt—like a garden blooming in new colors each season. Words may lose popularity, gain new meanings, or evolve with culture.

So, in the end, letters and words are alive with history and dreams. They connect us with others, help us share stories, and remind us that every language is a treasure chest of traditions and ideas.

Fun with Letters

Check out some fun facts:

The most used letter in English is E.

The least used is Z.

Letters like T, A, O, I, N, S also appear very often.

Hey, 5th graders! Think of language as a secret code that reflects our culture. For example:

English: I love you

Spanish: Te amo

Arabic: أحبك (uhibuka)

Chinese: 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ)

French: Je t’aime

See how every language shares the same idea but in its own unique style?

A Guide for 7th Graders

To wrap up, let’s ask some questions:

Have you ever wondered how many words you know in English?

Have you struggled to find the right word to express yourself?

Do you want to learn new words and improve your communication skills?

If you answered yes, then you’re ready for an exciting journey into vocabulary. This guide will help you explore the origins of words, their role in English, and strategies to grow your vocabulary.

Now, here’s your challenge: can you write a short story (about 80 words) using blocks, letters, and language?