How does creating a thesaurus promote vocabulary learning among students?

Creating a thesaurus promotes vocabulary learning among students primarily by associating new words with cultural and family backgrounds. This approach allows students to connect words to their own experiences and cultural contexts, which significantly enhances understanding and retention. When students can relate new vocabulary to their personal lives, it fosters deeper engagement and makes learning more meaningful. This contextual understanding is crucial for students to internalize vocabulary effectively and apply it in various situations, thereby expanding their language skills in a more comprehensive manner.

In contrast, the other options suggest methods that may hinder the development of a robust vocabulary. Focusing solely on academic terms or enforcing strict spelling rules can stifle creativity and limit expressive language. Similarly, restricting vocabulary choices to standard definitions may prevent students from seeing the richness and variation in language use that a thesaurus is designed to illustrate. Thus, the value of a thesaurus lies in its ability to enhance vocabulary through personal and cultural connections.