The Mind Map for Vocabulary Teaching of Vocational Business English

Li Jing

【Abstract】Mind map is the tool of converting abstract mind into concrete image. Students can understand and memorize business English vocabulary from horizontal and vertical angles with the aim of breaking through the traditional business Enlish teaching mode for vocabulary，so as to help students learn more efficiently and independently.

【Key words】mind map； business English vocabulary； business teaching

In business English teaching，business English vocabulary is one of the biggest obstacles in English learning. Linguists said no grammar， people are restricted to express things； Without words， people will not be able to express anything. Therefore， business English vocabulary teaching should break through to find highly efficient method to memorize words suitable for students. In this paper， we study the method of using mind map to memorize business English vocabulary， and hope that this can have positive effects on business English teaching.

I. Introduction

1. Definition

Mind mapping （mind map/mapping） is a diagram used to visually organize information. A mind map is often created around a single concept， drawn as an image in the center of a blank page， to which associated representations of ideas such as images， words and parts of words are added. Major ideas are connected directly to the central concept， and other ideas branch out from those.

2. The characteristics of Mind Map

The method of Mind map diagram can be diversified， and radial distribution is the most basic one. It's similar to the brain's thinking path， divergent thinking can be gathered on a central point， in the form of stereoscopic multi-angle diagram. In the process of collecting information，mind map follows the rules of the brain thinking and memory. Mind map will put down all information associated in the form of vivid lines， symbols， images using a variety of colors. The brain's ability to memorize image is tens of thousands of times than to memorize abstract information. Therefore， we can get twofold results with half the effort .In this way， we can enhance the ability to memorize. By the means of mind mapping， we can connect all kinds of information points together with the stereoscopic thinking figure. On this basis， we can continue to derive other innovative ideas from this. From this point of view， mind map has become a brain thinking assistant. The thinking mode of mind map is different from one to another. Everyone may create a platform of showing personality glamour， each individual will think about the same question in various ways. Each mind map can be regarded as a beautiful “landscape painting”.

3. Planning

The production of a mind map can be roughly divided into four steps： first， find the keywords， and all other connected words surroud the keywords to radiate outward. Second， all kinds of information can be associated through the arrows， lines， colors. Third， evaluate the secondary information according to its relationship with the key words. Finally， modify and supplement the preliminary mind map.

II. Mind map applied in business English vocabulary teaching

1. Using mind map to extend business English vocabulary

Business English vocabulary learning is the most tough part. Mind map will help students to learn business vocabulary in the way of longitudinal extension. Teachers can match word formation from the meaning of the basic English vocabulary， including aspects such as spelling ，expressions， synonyms， antonyms， root and suffix， phrases， and different meanings， which can inspire students' divergent thinking. Finally set up the new network information of words from multiple perspectives.

2. Using mind map to enlarge business English vocabulary.

After establishment of basic business vocabulary network， it is the task to set up the business information network of professional vocabulary in order to create business scenaries. Teachers should inspire students to brainstorm in accumulating associating keywords aiming at motivating studentsbackground knowledge connecting with context field. What has done is to establish a horizontal business information network contributing to facilitate students to understand business vocabulary context which can explain further and show the application range of business vocabulary. This network can include idioms， phrases，common collocation which achieves vivid business scenaries and enrich connotation of mind map. This mind picture helps students create image and become a good assistant for students learning.

III. Balance the advantages and disadvantages of the application of mind map

1. Mind map carries strong individual characteristics.

Every students mind map is different. Therefore， teachers should give different guide and direction according to different students knowledge basis and way of thinking. That means teachers should not set up a fixed form for all students. At the same time， students should grasp the principles of mind map applied to English learning leading to produce best results to improve students ability of thinking.

2. Mind map as teaching effect evaluation

Mind map as a teaching method must have different effects on different students. In the teaching practice， there are problems inevitably encountered by students in the course of learning.

Some students may benefit from this teaching method， on the other hand，some other students may not adapt to it as soon as possible. Teachers should respect students characteristics. As it goes， one size cant fit all. Teachers must follow the law of teaching and respect students choice.

All in all， practice makes perfect and practice is the only criterion for testing truth. A new teaching method can be judged whether it is appropriate or efficient for students when it is only applied to teaching practice. Mind map is expected to improve students efficiency and increase their interests in learning business vocabulary. Mind map is regarded as a learning revolution in vocabulary learning.

References：

[1]Tony，Buzan.The MindMap book：How to use radiant thinking to maximize your brains untapped potential，New York Press，1993.

[2]Tony，Buzan.The Ten Approaches to Improve the Language Intelligence by Mind Mapping，Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press，2005.

[3]汪榕培，卢晓娟.英语词汇学教程[M].上海：上海外语教育出版社，1997.

作者简介：李静（1980.3-），女，汉族，山东泰安人，本科学历，硕士学位，讲师，研究方向：商务英语教学。