Avoid the pitfalls of language

By Helen Harden2019-06-25T10:03:00

An image showing a female student burning magnesium on a Bunsen burner using tongs while a male classmate is watching the flame created. Both are wearing safety goggles

Source: © iStock/Getty Images

Help students learn the difference between everyday and chemistry vocabulary

Without a confident understanding of chemistry-specific vocabulary students struggle to understand the chemistry concepts being explained. Some key words in chemistry are also used in everyday language, with a wider or an entirely different meaning, which can be challenging for students. This article helps teachers to navigate these linguistic pitfalls.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.