DOI:  https://doi.org/10.36719/XXXX-XXXX/1/41-48

Ulviyya Yusubova

Azerbaijan Sports Academy

ulviya09081974@gmail.com

Teaching Vocabulary Through Contextualized Activities

Abstract

Vocabulary knowledge is widely accepted as one of the most important components of language proficiency. Without sufficient vocabulary, students struggle to express their ideas clearly, understand texts correctly, and participate effectively in communication. While grammar provides structure, vocabulary is the main tool that shapes content and meaning. In this regard, vocabulary plays a fundamental role in learning English. The process of language learning constantly requires expanding vocabulary. Learning a language without a dictionary is impossible. However, vocabulary learning is not limited to memorizing individual words; this process also includes understanding words in real and meaningful contexts. In traditional approaches, vocabulary teaching is often carried out through word lists, memorization techniques, and translation tasks. Although these methods help with short-term memory, they do not ensure long-term acquisition of new lexical units and their purposeful use in real communicative situations. Although students can remember words during tests, they have difficulty adequately applying them in a real communication environment.

Contextualized vocabulary teaching emphasizes the presentation of lexical items in meaningful situations through stories, dialogues, tasks, and authentic materials. This approach allows students to master not only the lexical meaning of words, but also their collocations, functional uses, and pragmatic properties.