ESL, or English as a Second Language, students learn English through many different methods, such as reading, listening, speaking and repeating. The best method of learning is different for each person, therefore, it is best when an ESL teacher utilizes many different learning forms. One method of teaching English is to teach a student how to derive meaning through context clues. Students often learn this concept through using stories.

Gather a variety of American folk tales. The folk tales will not only help with vocabulary, but will give the students cultural knowledge.

Create a list of vocabulary words which appear in the folk tales. Some common English words in folk tales are once, time, girl, he, she, boy and various animal names.

Give each student the same folk tale with a list of vocabulary words. The students will define the words on the paper using only context clues from the story.

Call the attention of the class after a period of time and review each word, giving the correct definition to the students. The students will lead a discussion about the word and why they may have provided the wrong definition.

Continue to discuss context clues and help students learn how to derive the meaning of a word from context. This will help them in future readings.

Use other folk tales to complete new vocabulary lists.