Filling the Saddlebag: Vocabulary and the Power of Expression
With how many words do we speak, and how do we convey our meaning? Read a teacher’s reflection on building vocabulary and expression in the digital age.
Human beings step into life with an endless capacity for memory; there is enough space in our brains to encode everything we need. But are we using this miraculous capacity? What are we filling our "saddlebag", our mind, with? With how many words do we speak, and can we convey our meaning with a sufficient store of words? In this article, we explore the importance of building vocabulary and the power of expression.
We Live in a Digital Age
We access easily and consume easily. The social networks that surround our lives, along with content that does not align with our culture, feed a mindset that does not think, does not produce and is focused only on spending. It cannot be denied that these factors affect our language, our memory and our behaviour. The real issue begins right here: turning the negatives around and seeing that technology is not an end but a means.
Through our language we learn our past, nourish our culture and pass it on to future generations.
Logical Intelligence Is No Longer Enough
Recent research shows that logical intelligence alone is not enough. When emotional intelligence and logical intelligence come together, success emerges. In addition, individuals with a strong command of language and powers of oratory hold a compelling strength in interpersonal communication. Indeed, when we look at ÖSYM’s Turkish questions in recent years, we see that comprehension-based questions predominate: the aim is a generation that reads, understands, synthesises and manages its time well, not one that memorises.
In brief
- Vocabulary and the power of expression are the foundation of communication and success.
- Enriching language in the digital age requires conscious effort.
- When emotional and logical intelligence come together, success emerges.
For our approach that supports reading and expression development, you can take a look at our Do Not Just Say "Read" article or get in touch with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is vocabulary so important?
A rich vocabulary allows one to express thoughts accurately, to understand and to communicate effectively; it also directly affects exam success.
How can I develop my child’s vocabulary?
Regular reading, interpreting books together and activities that bring new words into daily life enrich vocabulary in a lasting way.
Gökkuşağı Koleji · A saddlebag that fills with words.