This week’s musing asks…
If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop and look it up right away?
I have to admit that I rarely look up unfamiliar words. I know... this is terrible for a language arts teacher to do. I definitely don't practice what I preach. Here's the thing- I don't read for detail. I read for the story. Most of the time if I am reading a book I am engaged enough that I just don't want to stop and pull out a dictionary. I just keep going and get the idea of what's happening. I figure that's okay, too. We teach vocabulary through context clues as well. See, I'm really not lazy! ;-)
5 comments:
Actually I do look up a work I'm not familiar with if I'm working. I do medical transcription (type up what doctors dictate after they see a patient). If I run across a word I haven't heard before, I do doublecheck to make sure it is the word that belongs in the report. Otherwise, its hit or miss if I'm reading for pleasure :)
betty
English being my second lanuage, I used to look up all the words. I don't anymore as I, too, read for the story. Sometimes, it takes a long time cause I still get stuck on the word I don't understand.
Mira, I still admire how well you have captured the English language. I often forget that it is your second language!
I am the same way. And I've learned most of my vocabulary from reading it in context. So I know what it means, and I can use it, but I can't necessarily give an exact definition hahah. I always think I sound smarter than I actually am.
I'm a freak on looking up words. I like to know exactly what things mean and even if someone sends me something and I'm pretty sure they've used it in the wrong context then I will look it up to make sure I have it right in my head
Sad case aren't I?
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