Strategies to Increase Vocabulary (page 2)

Help to support your client’s vocabulary development by:

  • Teach the client the SLAP strategy for unknown words.

SLAP Strategy

■ Say the word.
■ Look for clues.
■ Ask yourself what the word might mean: think of a word that expresses that meaning.
■ Put the word in the passage in place of the unfamiliar word. Does it make sense?

For more information on the SLAP strategy, see this handout: Vocabulary Development Powerpoint

  • Review keywords that relate to different types of text structure. In addition to expanding their vocabulary, knowledge of text structure contributes to enhanced reading comprehension and written expression:
    • Order and sequence: to begin, first, secondly, next, then, finally, also
    • Compare and contrast: however, but, as well as, while, although, unless, yet, similar to, different from
    • Cause and effect: because, since, therefore, as a result, leads to, accordingly, consequently, If so/then, thus
    • Description: opportunity to discuss rich descriptive words
    • Definition-Example: for example, for instance, specifically, in addition, described as, to illustrate, another
    • Problem-Solution: because, since, consequently, so that, a solution, however, therefore, as a result
    • Proposition-Support: for example, therefore, first/second/third, before, after, then, finally, in conclusion

For Younger Clients

  • Discussing events and experiences that happened to them or in the world.
  • Listen to stories and read books aloud.
  • Play word games to learn new words.
  • Assist the client in forming sentences with the new words learnt.

Handouts