Session 4

 Actively Learn
 Using a monolingual
dictionary
 Scanning
 Reading strategy #1
USING A MONOLINGUAL DICTIONARY
What information does a good dictionary give you?

• the meaning, e.g. busyness [engaged in several different

activities]
• the pronunciation, e.g. engaged /ɪnˈgeɪdʒd/
• the part of speech, e.g. sharp adj., refrain v., cognition n.
• example sentences, e.g. Alzheimer is a brain disorder.
• idioms, e.g. burn the candle at both ends
• CEFR level, e.g. A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
• labels, e.g. formal, informal, spoken, technical, pejorative

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/
 Slammed, swamped, flat
out. Buried. No matter how
it’s said, the refrain is all
too familiar –people are just
too busy.
…older adults who are
actively engaged in
cognitive, stimulating
activities are more likely
to perform better on
standard cognitive
tasks.”
https://www.liveworksheets.com/yc1232922yz
Reading strategy #2
SCANNING
 What is scanning?

Scanning is a reading strategy that

involves glancing rapidly through a text.

When you scan a text, you usually begin

with a question in mind, so you don’t
read every word:

your goal is to find just the

information you want.
Let’s practice:

speed reading game

Instructions:

1. Create teams (in-person vs online)

2. Scan a text as quickly as possible to
find specific information.
3. Circle the information you found while
scanning.
4. Earn points for your team.
Ready…?

Let’s have a “warm up” exercise first.

Get your markers. 

1. Find the odd one out
2. Scan a
recipe

* How many cloves

of garlic 🧄
are needed in this
recipe?

* What comes in a
jar?

* How long should

you simmer the
sauce?
3. Scan a longer text:

Look at the following page and find out when

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Prize.
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mveso,
Transkei, South Africa. Becoming actively involved in the
anti-apartheid movement in his 20s, Mandela joined the
African National Congress in 1942. For 20 years, he
directed a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance
against the South African government and its racist
policies. In 1993, Mandela and South African President
F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
for their efforts to dismantle the country's apartheid
system. In 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South
Africa's first black president. In 2009, Mandela's birthday
(July 18) was declared "Mandela Day" to promote global
peace and celebrate the South African leader's legacy.
Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg on December
5, 2013, at age 95.

http://www.biography.com/people/nelson-mandela-9397017#early-life
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mveso,
Transkei, South Africa. Becoming actively involved in the
anti-apartheid movement in his 20s, Mandela joined the
African National Congress in 1942. For 20 years, he
directed a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance
against the South African government and its racist
policies. In 1993, Mandela and South African President
F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
for their efforts to dismantle the country's apartheid
system. In 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South
Africa's first black president. In 2009, Mandela's birthday
(July 18) was declared "Mandela Day" to promote global
peace and celebrate the South African leader's legacy.
Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg on December
5, 2013, at age 95.

http://www.biography.com/people/nelson-mandela-9397017#early-life
4. Scanning for specific
information

How many times does the

preposition “to” occur in the next
page?
When Mandela was 9 years old, his father died of lung
disease, causing his life to change dramatically. He was
adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the acting regent
of the Thembu people—a gesture done as a favor to
Mandela's father, who, years earlier, had recommended
Jongintaba be made chief. Mandela subsequently left the
carefree life he knew in Qunu, fearing that he would never
see his village again. He traveled by motorcar to
Mqhekezweni, the provincial capital of Thembuland, to the
chief's royal residence. Though he had not forgotten his
beloved village of Qunu, he quickly adapted to the new,
more sophisticated surroundings of Mqhekezweni.

http://www.biography.com/people/nelson-mandela-9397017#early-life
When Mandela was 9 years old, his father died of lung
disease, causing his life to change dramatically. He was
adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the acting regent
of the Thembu people—a gesture done as a favor to
Mandela's father, who, years earlier, had recommended
Jongintaba be made chief. Mandela subsequently left the
carefree life he knew in Qunu, fearing that he would never
see his village again. He traveled by motorcar to
Mqhekezweni, the provincial capital of Thembuland, to the
chief's royal residence. Though he had not forgotten his
beloved village of Qunu, he quickly adapted to the new,
more sophisticated surroundings of Mqhekezweni.

http://www.biography.com/people/nelson-mandela-9397017#early-life
* Where is
Taman Negara
National Park?

* What does
Angkor Wat
mean?

* Which beach
in Bali is
famous for
surfing and
nightlife?
How to Scan?

*
How to Scan
* State the specific information you are looking
for.
* Try to anticipate how the answer will appear
and what clues you might use to help you
locate the answer. For example, if you were
looking for a certain date, you would quickly
read the paragraph looking only for numbers.
* Use headings and any other aids that will
help you identify which sections might contain
the information you are looking for.
* Selectively read and skip through sections of
the passage.