Vocabulary, Grammar, and Literature Term Quizzes (VGL) — they’ve been around for years in the English Department, but are they really helping students learn? Students and teachers have different opinions on whether or not they are beneficial. 

All MFS high school students enrolled in an English class except for AP Literature take the VGL quizzes. They consist of five vocabulary words, a chapter in the Bedford grammar Handbook, and literary terms. The preparation for the quizzes is typically to read a chapter of Bedford, find the definitions for the five words, and watch a presentation on the literary terms. These quizzes have previously been an important part of the MFS English curriculum, making up 20% of the student’s final grade.

Kendall Borbi ’22, has taken VGL quizzes since her ninth grade year, and she said, “I do not think they are a productive way of learning. I think teachers do not help students enough to understand the vocabulary and grammar. Instead, students are expected to learn it themselves. It’s basically a test of memorization and students aren’t learning the words.”

Senior Daniel McCollister agreed with Borbi, and shared that he thinks the quizzes are “a waste of time” and said that “there are better ways to learn new words.” 

Tia Obermier ’23, agreed with Borbi when she said, “I don’t really use the vocabulary [that] we learn; I use the grammar and literary terms though.”

Peter Tumarello disagreed with his peers, and said, “I like [the quizzes] because if you study they can increase your grade. I also actually find myself using the words after the quizzes.” 

Borbi shared an idea to change preparation for the  VGL quizzes: “A way to make the VGL units more productive is by talking about the words and grammar more in class.” 

When asked if the vocabulary words were helpful for students, English teacher Steven Shaffer said, “I think they are helpful because ideally the students will understand the true meaning of a word and not its synonyms. The hope is that they remember the meaning [of the words] for forever.”

In reference to grammar and literary terms, Shaffer said, “I like literary terms and grammar, so if I had it my way, I’d have more time in class spent on grammar.”

English Department Chair Debra Galler, and English teacher Claire MacKenzie, both shared that they have seen an increasing number of students who utilize the vocabulary terms in their writing.

While vocabulary seems to be used in student essays, Galler talked about the struggles with the grammar aspect of the quiz: “Having grammar used within students’ own writing is always a challenge, and that’s our part because we teach it separately outside of writing. The goal is for them to take the words and use them in their writing.”