In order to quickly develop vocabulary, active learning is necessary. Active learning is the notion that learning is enhanced and best accomplished by doing. This contrasts with vocabulary instruction of old, where individuals were passive receptors of information.

According to the Texas Education Agency (2002), it is imperative that vocabulary development occur through active learning. This form of learning requires that the student be motivated; that information is converted and analyzed; and that the learner is able to connect the actual strategy of learning to what is needed to be learnt (in this case vocabulary development) (University of Melbourne, 2005).

Apart from the strategies presented above, methods for improving vocabulary using active learning can include:

• Changing the information that is presented to you in a different layout. To increase vocabulary, this could include sentence revision or perhaps using your own words in a definition.
• Practice the task you are learning frequently (i.e. repetition).
• Work on projects with others. To improve vocabulary, communication with others is beneficial. Whether it is through conversation or in written form, two-way dialogue develops our knowledge of words and meanings.  
• Change the perspective. Use different strategies above to learn the same word. This will increase the depth of understanding. 
• Increase associations between the information and ways you can assist understanding. For example, in the case of increasing vocabulary, use diagrams, synonyms, and story innovation (University of Melbourne, 2005).

Fink (1999) explains that active learning occurs through the experience of doing and observing. It also involves a dialogue with self and others (see Figure 3). Active learning involves watching and/or listening as the task is actually performed. The doing element involves the learner physically completing the task themselves.

A Model Of Active Learning

Dialogue with self refers to the contemplation and analysis post-task, whilst dialogue with others involves discussing the task. Both forms of dialogue provide richer learning experiences. In applying this concept to vocabulary development, it is necessary to have active experiences in both the written and spoken form. The passive learning of vocabulary is less efficient and effective.

Another consideration is that despite the benefits of active learning in regards to vocabulary development, do not have unrealistic expectations. To fully understand a word, only learn a few words at a time (Bromley, 2007). It is more beneficial to gain a richer understanding of a word when improving vocabulary. This will increase comprehension, as opposed to word recognition but not understanding.

Active learning promotes the meeting of existing knowledge with new knowledge (Blachowicz et al., 2006). Research shows that vocabulary development occurs when learners make semantic associations between words and then verbalize or express these meanings (Blachowicz et al., 2006). Research also demonstrates that by providing the student with definitional instruction and forms of active processing (such as writing or reworking words), learning is more effective than definitional instruction alone (Blachowicz et al., 2006).

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