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Keywords: proverbs, vocabulary activity, English teaching.
According to the paremiologist Wolfgang Mieder, proverbs have been used
and should be used in teaching as didactic tools
because of their content of
educational wisdom. When it comes to foreign language learning, proverbs play a
role in the teaching as a part of cultural and metaphorical learning. Linguists also
claim that the use of proverbs in the teaching of English as a foreign language is
important for the learners’ ability to communicate effectively. Writers and poets
use proverbs in their works, which gives them impressive power. If we carefully
study the works of Yusuf Khos Khojib,
Ahmad Yassawi, Lutfi, Alisher Navoi,
Bobur, Nodira, Furkat, Chulpan, Abdullah Kodiriy, Gafur Gulam and many others,
we can feel the attractiveness of the proverbs. Proverbs are often used in fiction,
poetry, poems, stories, and novels. Pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary are
essential elements in communication. Teaching these language materials, we can
use proverbs effectively. A proverb is usually recognized by the fixed, often short
form and contains
frequently used vocabulary, and therefore is quite easy to
memorize.
As teaching aids, English proverbs are expected to improve learners’
vocabulary learning. When we look back on our lives, it’s often the things we
enjoyed doing most that come to mind first. It is important to motivate our students
by making vocabulary learning and new word acquisition, fun and enjoyable.
Teaching vocabulary through using proverbs can be an effective technique. As
proverbs are the sentences which contain
vocabulary with meaning, form and
function, they are considered one of the most effective materials to teach
vocabulary. When the teaching and learning process takes place, teachers may
have problems of how to teach students in order to gain satisfying results. The
teacher should find out the appropriate techniques to implement in classes. A good
teacher can prepare various and up-to-date techniques. Teachers need to be able to
find the materials and make them interested and happy in the teaching and learning
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process in the classroom. Here are some techniques of teaching vocabulary through
proverbs. We took some commonly used proverbs as an example to implement in
these techniques.
In conclusion we may say that proverbs are the basic textbooks and rules of
the school of life. This should not be forgotten and should be used in practice.
Every child should keep proverbs not only in his mind, but also in his heart. That is
why it is important for us to remember proverbs and explain their essence. Using
proverbs in teaching English can be one of the effective ways especially in
teaching vocabulary as a proverb is usually
recognized by the fixed, often short
form and contains frequently used vocabulary, and therefore is quite easy to
memorize. Work with proverbs and sayings at the lessons not only helps to
diversify educational process and to make its brighter and interesting. Moreover, it
helps to solve a number of very important educational problems: proverbs in the
classroom can improve students’
learning experiences, their language skills, and
their understanding of themselves and the world.
