Hardly less important to the success of this course than the method of teaching for mastery is the method of selecting and teaching the vocabulary…From the moment a word is given for learning, it is expected to become part of the habitual knowledge of the student…. With this type of emphasis and repetition it is expected that knowledge will pass into habitual knowledge, acquaintance into mastery….
When a vocabulary is assigned for learning, especially in the first year, a prelection or preview should be given and the following points covered:
* Make certain that the student understands all the abbreviations used
* Explain carefully any exceptional points; ask for the genders in cases where the rule is already known; for third declension words ask for the genitive plurals as well and insist on an accurate knowledge of the general rules covering -ium words.
* Be sure the class can pronounce the words. Read the words aloud and have the students repeat them after you. It is very hard for a person to memorise something he does not understand or cannot pronounce; the Latin student will approach vocabulary study at home with much less diffidence and reluctance if a start has already been made in class.
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