Introducing Vocabulous

by Lucy Huelin

Vocabulous is an exciting new resource that aims to improve students’ English vocabulary by teaching Latin and Greek root word patterns in KS2/KS3 English lessons.

It is estimated that around 60% of English is derived from Latin or Greek, and in some fields, such as science or technology, this figure is closer to 90% [1]. And yet Latin is taught in just 2.7% of state schools (according to the British Council) and Greek in even fewer, so the strong patterns that pervade English vocabulary remain hidden to most.

Moreover, there is a significant “word gap” at transition from primary to secondary school; the Oxford Language Report estimates that 43% of Year 7 students don’t have the vocabulary they need to access their learning. Vocabulous aims to use Latin and Greek root word patterns to help tackle this “word gap”.

What is Vocabulous?

Vocabulous is a website for 11-year-olds, which teaches the Latin and Greek root word patterns that are the foundation of much of our English vocabulary, especially Tier 2 vocabulary that students use in all subject areas. The website is designed to be used in English lessons, so is suitable for all schools, and does not require teachers to have any knowledge of Latin or Greek!  

Vocabulous teaches students 35 root word patterns and over 1,000 English words, using a series of videos and quizzes. The first root students are taught is “port-”, which means “carry”. By making this root explicit and teaching its meaning, students are then able to understand words such as “portable”, “imported” and “deportation”, so learning the root pattern increases their vocabulary more quickly than if they were to just learn individual words.

There are ten levels, each set by an Olympic God or Goddess, and students can win badges and earn stars to climb their class' leader board.

When Year 7 students were asked what they like about the website, responses included:

·         “I like that you earn the Greek God badges when you complete levels.”

·         “I like how clear the videos are.”

·         “I think it is a fun way to learn the root words.”

·         “I like how you can see how your class is doing.”

·         “I like the pictures, especially Hades!”

·         “Everything. It’s in a simple and easy to understand format.”

Vocabulous has received funding from The SHINE Trust and is currently in the first year of a two-year trial programme. We are looking for schools to participate in the second year of the trial, with either Year 6 or Year 7 students. We would especially like to hear from schools with an above-average proportion of students receiving Pupil Premium. Please email info@vocabulous.co.uk if your school would like to take part.

To find out more about Vocabulous, follow @VocabulousUK on Twitter or go to www.vocabulous.co.uk.

 

---

[1] Green, T. M. (2008). The Greek and Latin roots of English (4^th ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.