How can teachers effectively teach high-frequency words?

Teachers can effectively teach high-frequency words by encouraging repetition and practice because this approach reinforces memory and helps students gain automaticity in recognizing and using these words. High-frequency words are frequently encountered in reading and writing, and when students engage with these words repeatedly through various activities—such as flashcards, games, and contextual reading—they build familiarity and confidence.

Repetitive practice allows students to move beyond mere decoding to fluency, enabling them to read more smoothly and with better comprehension. This method also supports different learning styles, as some students may benefit from visual repetition, while others may excel through auditory or kinesthetic repetition.

In contrast to this effective strategy, relying primarily on oral exercises, minimizing student participation, or focusing solely on written exercises does not provide the comprehensive practice necessary for mastering high-frequency words. These methods can limit engagement and reduce the opportunities for students to interact dynamically with the words they are learning.