Teaching Basic Verbs to Japanese Adults Using the Core Image Method
Title
Teaching Basic Verbs to Japanese Adults Using the Core Image Method
Teaching Basic Verbs to Japanese Adults Using the Core Image Method
Keywords: No Keywords
Author
Seah Terence
Thian Ming Seah
Graduate School of Global Studies
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Japan
Seah Terence
Thian Ming Seah
Graduate School of Global Studies
Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Japan
No Bio
Abstract
Basic verbs such as go , come , take , and have not only have several entries for meaning in a dictionary, but they are also combined with a variety of participles, prepositions and nouns to form idiomatic expressions. Therefore, contrary to the nomenclature, basic verbs can sometimes be difficult for learners of ESL to master. Based on the principle that the basic verbs are not complicated, but rather have simple but ambiguous meanings, the core image is used to help students understand how they can apply the core meaning (simple) of a verb to various different contexts (ambiguous). It is a technique proposed by Shigenori Tanaka (1990) in Ninchi imiron: Eigo doshino Tagino Kozo to help students visualize the most fundamental meaning of a word and has applications beyond verbs to other parts of speech as well. In this paper, the use of the core image method to enable learners to first acquire the basic meaning of each of these verbs through a cognitive recognition of the verb s core image, and subsequently, applying this to the explanation of idioms, will be explained. I will also suggest some pedagogical methods of helping students learn basic verbs which have been proven useful in the classroom.
Basic verbs such as go , come , take , and have not only have several entries for meaning in a dictionary, but they are also combined with a variety of participles, prepositions and nouns to form idiomatic expressions. Therefore, contrary to the nomenclature, basic verbs can sometimes be difficult for learners of ESL to master. Based on the principle that the basic verbs are not complicated, but rather have simple but ambiguous meanings, the core image is used to help students understand how they can apply the core meaning (simple) of a verb to various different contexts (ambiguous). It is a technique proposed by Shigenori Tanaka (1990) in Ninchi imiron: Eigo doshino Tagino Kozo to help students visualize the most fundamental meaning of a word and has applications beyond verbs to other parts of speech as well. In this paper, the use of the core image method to enable learners to first acquire the basic meaning of each of these verbs through a cognitive recognition of the verb s core image, and subsequently, applying this to the explanation of idioms, will be explained. I will also suggest some pedagogical methods of helping students learn basic verbs which have been proven useful in the classroom.
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See page: 136 – 151
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Category: Main Editions, Volume 11 Issue 5
