IMPROVING VOCABULARY LEARNING WITH A MULTISENSORY APPROACH

Аннотация

This paper explores how multisensory learning improves the acquisition of new vocabulary, especially among second language learners and young students. Multisensory learning involves using more than one sense—such as sight, hearing, touch, and movement—when studying or practicing new words. The approach is grounded in cognitive science, which shows that learning is stronger when it involves both the mind and the body. Research from educational and psychological studies shows that this method helps students remember vocabulary more easily, stay more engaged in lessons, and benefit from different types of learning experiences. By examining real classroom practices and academic findings, this paper presents multisensory learning as a powerful tool for teaching vocabulary effectively. Keywords: multisensory learning, vocabulary acquisition, language learning, cognitive engagement, second language education, multimodal instruction. УЛУЧШЕНИЕ УСВОЕНИЯ СЛОВАРНОГО ЗАПАСА С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ МУЛЬТИСЕНСОРНОГО ПОДХОДА Аннотация. В данной статье рассматривается, как мультисенсорное обучение способствует более эффективному усвоению новой лексики, особенно у учащихся, изучающих иностранный язык, и у младших школьников. Мультисенсорный подход предполагает использование нескольких органов чувств — таких как зрение, слух, осязание и движение — при изучении или повторении новых слов. Этот метод основывается на данных когнитивной науки, согласно которым обучение становится более результативным, когда в нем участвуют как умственные, так и физические процессы. Исследования в области педагогики и психологии показывают, что мультисенсорное обучение помогает учащимся лучше запоминать слова, активнее вовлекаться в учебный процесс и получать более разнообразный опыт обучения. На основе анализа реальных учебных практик и научных данных статья демонстрирует, что мультисенсорный подход является эффективным инструментом для преподавания лексики. 365 May, 2025-Yil Ключевые слова: мультисенсорное обучение, усвоение лексики, изучение языка, когнитивная активность, обучение второму языку, мультимодальное обучение. Vocabulary is one of the most important parts of learning any new language. Without enough words, it is difficult to speak, write, or understand what others are saying (Fengyu, 2023). However, many traditional teaching methods focus mainly on reading word lists, repeating words, and memorizing definitions. While this can work for some students, others may find it boring or forget the words quickly after learning them. In recent years, educators have started to use a different method called multisensory learning. This method uses multiple senses—such as seeing, hearing, touching, and moving—to help students learn new vocabulary. When students engage in multisensory activities, they are more likely to understand what words mean and remember them longer. This paper looks at how and why multisensory learning helps with vocabulary learning. It also gives examples of how this method is used in classrooms and discusses some of the challenges teachers may face. The idea of multisensory learning comes from the theory of grounded cognition, which suggests that thinking is not separate from the body. According to Barsalou (2008), human understanding is "grounded" in real-life experiences, and people remember ideas better when they connect them to physical actions or sensory experiences. For example, when a child learns the word "run" by actually running or watching someone run, the word becomes more meaningful. The child does not just memorize the sound of the word; they also connect it to a movement they understand and have felt. Similarly, the multimodal learning theory discussed by Pellerin and Lavoic supports the use of various learning channels, such as visual (seeing), auditory (hearing), and kinesthetic (movement-based) methods. They explain that people do not learn with just one sense. Instead, the brain takes in information through many pathways, and learning becomes more powerful when these pathways work together. For example, a student might learn the word "apple" by seeing a picture of an apple, hearing the word spoken by the teacher, touching a real apple, and saying the word out loud. These different experiences build a stronger connection to the word. One of the biggest advantages of multisensory learning is that it improves memory and helps students keep new words in their long-term memory. D’Alesio, Scalia, and Zabel (2007) found that students who used multisensory methods remembered vocabulary better than those who only read or listened to the words. This is because using several senses at the same time creates more mental "links" to each word. If a student learns the word "cold" by seeing a picture of snow, hearing the word, and touching something cold like ice, the brain connects the word to many 366 May, 2025-Yil experiences. This makes it easier to recall the word later. Another important benefit is that multisensory learn