[Vocabulary] Focus Vocabulary/Active Vocabulary

[englishhobby]

I am writing a list of words to be used to talk on one particular topic for my students. Which title is better - Focus vocabulary (on the topic 'Family') or Active Vocabulary?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd just use "Vocabulary - Family". If you're giving them a list of words, it should be fairly clear that the idea is that they use that vocabulary. You shouldn't need to tell them to focus on it or call it "active".

 

[Tdol]

You could use Vocabulary Focus on the Family if you like, though I would do the same as Emsr2d2. I'm not sure that active works- do I need to have a stepmother for the word to be active vocabulary?

 

[harredmichael]

Not a teacher

How do you like Focus vocabulary while write on Family topics?
I don't like Active Vocabulary

 

[emsr2d2]

How do you like Focus vocabulary while [STRIKE]write[/STRIKE] writing [STRIKE]on[/STRIKE] about family [STRIKE]topics[/STRIKE]?
I don't like Active Vocabulary.

Even with my grammatical corrections above, I don't like it. It's too long for a title. Titles should be concise and punchy.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

At my university teachers usually refer to such lists as "active vocabulary" because we have to actively use these words in our responses.

 

[englishhobby]

At my university teachers usually refer to such lists as "active vocabulary" because we have to actively use these words in our responses.

Hi Boris, I am afraid Russian teachers often use so called 'Runglish' (= Russian English), that's why, being a Russian teacher of English myself, I asked this question here. I didn't like 'Active Vocabulary' myself and when I came across 'Focus Vocabulary' I thought it might sound more natural to native speakers, but alas :-(

 

[englishhobby]

I'd just use "Vocabulary - Family". If you're giving them a list of words, it should be fairly clear that the idea is that they use that vocabulary. You shouldn't need to tell them to focus on it or call it "active".

You don't know Russian students If you just give them a list of vocabulary, this means nothing to them, they might just take a quick look at it and no more unless you tell them it should be learnt properly. So how about 'Vocabulary to Be Learnt'?

 

[tedmc]

How about:
Words to Learn
Words for Learning
Useful Words

 

[Matthew Wai]

I thought of 'common words' and 'must-learn vocabulary'.

 

[Rover_KE]

harredmichael, please read this extract from the Posting Guidelines:

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly in your post. Please note, all posts are moderated by our in-house language experts, so make sure your suggestions, help, and advice provide the kind of information an international language teacher would offer. If not, and your posts do not contribute to the topic in a positive way, they will be subject to deletion.

 

[Matthew Wai]

'Key/essential vocabulary' just struck me.

 

[Skrej]

I was going to suggest 'key vocabulary' as well.

 

[Tdol]

At my university teachers usually refer to such lists as "active vocabulary" because we have to actively use these words in our responses.

That does fit the active (used) vs passive (understood) vocabulary distinction, but it didn't fit here for me.