What is a significant advantage of using cognates in vocabulary teaching?

Using cognates in vocabulary teaching is particularly beneficial because they help students make connections between languages. Cognates are words in different languages that share a similar meaning, spelling, and pronunciation, typically due to a shared linguistic origin. This resemblance can help learners leverage their existing vocabulary knowledge from their first language while acquiring new vocabulary in the target language.

When students recognize cognates, they can understand and retain new vocabulary more easily, fostering a sense of familiarity and confidence. This connection not only aids in vocabulary acquisition but can also enhance overall language comprehension and production. By seeing relationships between languages, students are encouraged to engage more deeply with their new language, facilitating better learning outcomes.

Other options may seem relevant but do not capture the unique advantage of using cognates as effectively. For instance, while cognates may seem easier to memorize due to their similarities, that is only a secondary benefit. Simplifying grammar concepts or eliminating the need for translations speaks to different areas of language learning that do not directly involve the primary advantage of connecting languages through cognate recognition.