How can teaching prefixes and suffixes assist with vocabulary acquisition?

Teaching prefixes and suffixes significantly enhances vocabulary acquisition because it enables learners to understand the meanings of words by breaking them down into their individual components. Each prefix or suffix carries a specific meaning, and when applied to a base word, it alters or adds to that meaning. For example, the prefix "un-" often indicates negation, as in "happy" versus "unhappy." Similarly, suffixes can indicate a change in part of speech, such as "happy" becoming "happiness." This process fosters a deeper comprehension of language and helps students to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words, thereby expanding their vocabulary organically rather than through mere memorization. Understanding how prefixes and suffixes function promotes linguistic flexibility and enhances reading comprehension as students encounter new words in texts.