proficiency
/prəˈfɪʃənsi/A high level of ability in a skill, especially one that can be tested and rated.
Example: My proficiency in Spanish is good enough for work.
C117 words · Advanced
Ways of Learning vocabulary — C1
Ways of Learning vocabulary for how a language is taught and acquired, including nuance, loanword and syntax, plus enrol and scaffolding.
17 questions
Words in this set
17immersion
/ˌɪˈmɜrʒən/A way of learning a language by being surrounded by it all day long.
Example:
A year of immersion improved her Japanese enormously.
intonation
/ˌɪntəˈneɪʃən/The way your voice rises and falls while you are speaking.
Example:
Your intonation makes the question sound friendly rather than rude.
nuance
/ˈnuɑns/A very small difference in meaning, feeling or sound that is easy to miss.
Example:
Native speakers hear a nuance that most learners simply miss.
loanword
A term that one language has taken from another and now uses as its own.
Example:
'Karaoke' is a Japanese loanword that English speakers use daily.
register
/ˈrɛdʒɪstər/The level of formality of language, chosen to suit the situation or audience.
Example:
She switched to a more formal register for the interview.
syntax
/ˈsɪnˌtæks/The set of rules for how words are arranged into correct sentences in a language.
Example:
His syntax was unusual, though every word was correct.
phonetics
/fəˈnɛtɪks/The study of the sounds that people make when they speak.
Example:
She studied phonetics to improve her pronunciation teaching.
homophone
/ˈhoʊmoʊˌfoʊn/A word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and often a different spelling.
Example:
'Flower' and 'flour' are homophones.
code-switching
Moving between two or more languages within the same conversation or sentence.
Example:
Many bilingual families use code-switching without even noticing it.
cohort
/ˈkoʊhɔrt/A group of students who begin a course together and move through it as one group.
Example:
Our cohort starts the programme together in September.
enrol
To officially join a course by putting your name on its list of students.
Example:
You can enrol online until the end of August.
synchronous
/ˈsɪŋkrənəs/Describes online learning that happens at the same time for everyone, such as a live class.
Example:
Our synchronous sessions run every Monday at nine.
gamification
The use of game-like features, such as points or levels, to make learning more engaging.
Example:
The app uses gamification to keep students motivated.
scaffolding
/ˈskæfəldɪŋ/Extra support and guidance given to learners that is gradually removed as they become more confident.
Example:
The tutor provided scaffolding through short prompts before the harder tasks.
learning management system
Software used by a school or company to deliver, organise and track online courses.
Example:
All assignments are submitted through the learning management system.
proctoring
The supervision of students taking an exam online, often using a webcam, to prevent cheating.
Example:
The final exam used online proctoring to check for cheating.
