Resource centre - Ideas and techniques - Mind maps
Jon Lewis explores the role that mind-maps can play in learning a foreign language.
Mind-maps are the creation of Tony Buzan, the memory expert. The basic principle
is that the mind dislikes traditional, linear note taking and thus anything we
write should start in the centre of the page with related ideas branching out in
all directions. This tool has been successfully used by managers to organise,
brainstorm, and even to prepare notes for speeches. Do a search for mind-maps on
the Internet and you will find plenty of good examples. I think that mind-maps
can be an important and effective asset to anyone who wants to learn a language.
Why traditional note taking is ineffective
I observe my students in class writing down the new vocabulary that comes up in
class. More often than not, a student will write down the new word with the
translation in his own language next to it. Of course, writing things down is
necessary if you want to review later. But at the end of one lesson, the student
has a couple of pages of new words that are completely at random – apple, happy,
gun, gloat, keyboard, violet, etc. Impossible to retain a list of words like
this. Even if you tried to memorise them, the fact that they are irrelevant to
each other makes it difficult to remember them.
Mind-maps - a better way
Use mind maps to make "vocabulary networks". This involves writing a single
word, your theme, in the centre of the page and linking words that go with it.
Let's take "theft" as an example. Draw a line from the word "theft" to a new
bubble with a description in it - "Theft from a bank" - then write the word
"robbery" next to it. Then the word for the person, "robber", the verb, "to
rob".
You can continue to fill the page with "shoplifting", "mugging", "pick
pocketing", "burglary", etc, noting all the related words you can think of. Use
a dictionary to find the words in the language you are studying. Now you have a
page of words that are relevant to each other, thus making them easier to recall
when you are talking in your new language. Mind-maps are even more effective if
you add little drawings and lots of colour - your brain likes to be entertained!
By the way, this exercise is great in your own language to improve your
vocabulary. Use a good dictionary of synonyms (like Roget's Thesaurus) to get a
richer vocabulary.
Remembering new vocabulary
ESL resources
Downloadable activities
Grammar teaching ideas
What do you think of this article? Add a comment »
Good point - as all good
school teachers know, this works well in every subject. American children do it
all the time. However, as ESL instructors (especially with adults) we can go a
step further and encourage students to reflect upon the gestalts that underlie
their personal mapping. They can try to trace the "themes" in class to those
basic "experience" gestalts and decide whether or not the metaphors that they
would map correspond to metaphors in the target culture. The concept of "love"
for example, may not elicit the same metaphors in all languages. This kind of
exercise is a great discussion starter.
I have used mind maps with
my ESL class this semester. They seem to enjoy it. Good article.
It makes perfect sense! In
fact I have had language textbooks organized in this way, around themes (family,
body, the park, getting around, etc.) Words that are grouped together are easier
to remember. Also, the brainstorm is a favourite memory jogger for group
meetings, "unblocking" writers, etc. But this approach--where, if I'm
understanding it, the students design their own grouping--goes a bit beyond. I
think the developing of their own "cluster" of words should aid retention. I may
try this during the summer!
Thanks for this
information. I am going to use it in my classes and I will let you know if it
works.
Thank you for your
suggestions. They sound interesting I will try them right away in my class.
I also use this method for
making basic plans to different topics which students have to present.
Great article and point
well made! I will make this suggestion to my students studying at the
proficiency level especially with large vocabulary presentations.
Tomorrow's class will
benefit from "the map.
I think this type of
exercise is really useful. I often use them in class, though I have never tried
adding colours or drawings. Thanks.
Mind maps are always my
principle in teaching. It is inspiring and leads to many English skills. This
article confirms my idea of teaching and provides me with more methodology to
research, in the theory of mind maps.
Great idea! I've already
done something similar to this but with beginners. It works and they like it!
Mind mapping is an
excellent exercise. It works with other subjects too. Haven't tried adding
drawings but will do now.
I have been using mind
mapping in an ESL setting in Mexico, and it works great. It's easy to use and
the children enjoy working with them, adding pictures and color. I let them use
any type of material they wish to make them.
Mind Mapping for ESL/EFL
students is not only great it is effective. I teach my students how to create
mind maps at the beginning of all my courses. This helps the students create
more effective learning strategies and gives them more self-confidence in skills
oriented learning. My students always thank me for showing them how to work with
mind maps because they are able to use them for other areas in their career.
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