Mind maps are diagrams that help us organize information visually. They are mostly used for brainstorming, note-taking or summarizing. I started using them to help students learn vocabulary 5 years ago and created what I call my word map.
The aim is to explore a specific word or lexical phrase. Students can go online or use their dictionaries to complete the map. They can also use web tools like visuwords. I usually ask them to select the most difficult word from the lesson but of course you can choose the item you want them to explore. You can also turn it into a game, e.g. don’t write the word and let us guess it after we read your notes.
It can be done individually, in pairs or groups. Good back-up/fast-finishers/homework task too!
In word association, I encourage students to write hyponyms eg if the target word is vehicle, they can write car, motorcycle, truck etc. They can also include items that collocate with the target word.
In pronunciation, if your students understand the phonemic script, they can transcribe the words. They can write words that rhyme, some students find this helpful. E.g. ache rhymes with take.
Needless to say, the one they enjoy the most is drawing a picture!
Based on observation, this activity:
- is an engaging way to retain new vocabulary.
2. trains students to explore words by going beyond a mere definition.
Feel free to download and share my template.
Teaching online? You can use this Jamboard version and also make it a collaborative task. Students use stickies to write their notes on the word map-see cover photo to get an idea. Remember to create your own editable copies, this one is view-only. Drawing can be tricky online- they can draw in the frame using the stylus on the board, their finger on the app, or cursor in a web browser.
Enjoy and share!
References:
An ELT Notebook: An ELT Glossary : Hyponymy
Using Mind Maps as an Assessment Tool – Freeed.com
This work by Rachel Tsateri is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The TEFL Zone 
I loved this idea!! But you always come up with creative ideas Rachel💡
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Thank you so much! Delighted you like my ideas! 🙂
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This is a great template to get students to practise how to record new vocabulary. I am actually thinking of printing it on an A3 paper sheet to put it somewhere in my classroom after the lockdown. This way I can quickly point to one of the boxes to elicit the part of speech, pron, synonyms etc of emergent vocabulary! Thanks a lot for this Rachel!
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Thanks for the comment, Anthony! Yes, an A3 copy sounds great!
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Well done, Rachel! Your word map would be a great help for learners to fill in when they come across a new word which they feel is important for them to learn. Alternately, learner teachers on training courses could adapt it for their LA sheet with their lesson plans when planning vocabulary to teach.
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