This book presents the current state of knowledge in the vibrant and diverse field of vocabulary studies, reporting innovative empirical investigations, summarising the latest research, and showcasing topics for future investigation. The chapters are organised around the key themes of theorising and measuring vocabulary knowledge, formulaic language, and learning and teaching vocabulary. Written by world-leading vocabulary experts from across the globe, the contributions present a variety of research perspectives and methodologies, offering insights from cutting-edge work into vocabulary, its learning and use. The book will be essential reading for postgraduate students and researchers interested in the area of second language acquisition, with a particular focus on vocabulary, as well as to those working in the broader fields of applied linguistics, TESOL and English studies.
Knowledge of word meanings is critical to success in reading. A reader cannot fully understand a text in which the meaning to a significant number of words is unknown. Vocabulary knowledge has long been correlated with proficiency in reading. Yet, national surveys of student vocabulary knowledge have demonstrated that student growth in vocabulary has been stagnant at best. This volume offers new insights into vocabulary knowledge and vocabulary teaching. Articles range from a presentation of theories of vocabulary that guide instruction to innovative methods and approaches for teaching vocabulary. Special emphasis is placed on teaching academic and disciplinary vocabulary that is critical to success in content area learning. Our hope for this volume is that it may spark a renewed interest in research into vocabulary and vocabulary instruction and move toward making vocabulary instruction an even more integral part of all literacy and disciplinary instruction.
Internationally recognised as one of the leading texts in its field, this volume offers a comprehensive introduction to vocabulary for language teachers who would like to know more about the way vocabulary works. Two leading specialists make research and theory accessible, providing the background knowledge necessary for practitioners to make informed choices about vocabulary teaching and testing. This second edition retains the popular format of the first edition, and has been rewritten to take account of the many developments in the past 20 years. There is a greater focus on the vocabulary learning process, with new chapters on incidental learning, and intentional learning, and a new wide-ranging discussion of formulaic language. The book now also includes extensive treatment of word lists and vocabulary tests, with explanations of their various strengths and limitations. Updated further reading sections, and new Exercises for Expansion make this volume more invaluable than ever.
This extensively revised and expanded edition of the bestselling text and teaching resource incorporates the newest research in vocabulary learning and instruction into a complete and balanced program for all K–12 students, from those who struggle in school to those who excel. Literacy expert Michael Graves presents a four-pronged vocabulary program that he has developed and honed for over 30 years. The program has the following four components: Frequent, Varied, and Extensive Language Experiences; Teaching Individual Words; Teaching Word Learning Strategies; and Fostering Word Consciousness. The text includes theory, research-based strategies, vocabulary interventions, classroom examples, advice for working with English learners, discussion of next-generation standards, and more. The Vocabulary Book, Second Edition will appeal to reading and subject-area teachers, teacher educators, and school, district, and state leaders. New for the Second Edition: Instructional approaches developed and classroom-tested since the release of the first edition. A chapter specifically on teaching vocabulary to English learners. A chapter specifically on selecting vocabulary words to teach. Curricular and instructional elements designed to meet and exceed Common Core State Standards. An emphasis on vocabulary as a vital resource for all students in our increasingly diverse society. “If you believe vocabulary instruction is vital to reading, writing, and thinking, then Michael Graves’ Second Edition of The Vocabulary Book will give you the tools for powerful instruction, as many teachers discovered with the First Edition. This book will shift your perspective and you will reap the benefits of placing vocabulary at the center of your instruction.” —Peter Dewitz, district level reading consultant, Mary Baldwin College “Now that ‘vocabulary’ is included on the Nation’s Report Card, teachers will want to know how to help students increase their word power. Graves’s advice will be invaluable in what to do—and what not to do.” —Robert Calfee, professor emeritus, Stanford University “This book is an excellent resource for practitioners interested in developing a comprehensive program for building vocabulary in children. It is also of great value for researchers who wish to design and test vocabulary interventions.” —Diane August, senior research scientist, Center for Applied Linguistics
Research shows that vocabulary is the best support for students’ comprehension of narrative and information texts. Often, vocabulary instruction focuses on a few target words in specific texts. However, to understand the many new words in complex texts students need to know how words work. This book, written by an award-winning authority on reading instruction, shows teachers how to make small changes to teach more words and also how words work. Many of these small changes involve enrichments to existing vocabulary practices, such as word walls and conversations with students. Each chapter includes descriptions of teachers’ implementation of small changes to support big gains in students’ vocabulary. This book, which has sufficient depth in research and theory for graduate and undergraduate courses in vocabulary instruction, also offers practical steps that K–8 teachers can use in any reading program to help all students grow their vocabulary. Teaching Words and How They Work shows teachers how to: Identify the most important word families to teach. Teach students to use opening text as background knowledge for comprehending the rest of the text. Use word walls with more purpose and greater student engagement. Select the right words to teach from new information texts. Better understand limitations of leveled texts and how to adjust. Use assets and address challenges to support English learners. Access free mentor and teacher resources online at textproject.org.
Although proficiency in vocabulary has long been recognized as basic to reading proficiency, there has been a paucity of research on vocabulary teaching and learning over the last two decades. Recognizing this, the U.S. Department of Education recently sponsored a Focus on Vocabulary conference that attracted the best-known and most active researchers in the vocabulary field. This book is the outgrowth of that conference. It presents scientific evidence from leading research programs that address persistent issues regarding the role of vocabulary in text comprehension. Part I examines how vocabulary is learned; Part II presents instructional interventions that enhance vocabulary; and Part III looks at which words to choose for vocabulary instruction. Other key features of this timely new book include: *Broad Coverage. The book addresses the full range of students populating current classrooms--young children, English Language Learners, and young adolescents. *Issues Focus. By focusing on persistent issues from the perspective of critical school populations, this volume provides a rich, scientific foundation for effective vocabulary instruction and policy. *Author Expertise. Few volumes can boast of a more luminous cast of contributing authors (see table of contents). This book is suitable for anyone (graduate students, in-service reading specialists and curriculum directors, college faculty, and researchers) who deals with vocabulary learning and instruction as a vital component of reading proficiency.
This guide to vocabulary acquisition is essential reading for teachers of English as a second or foreign language. It presents the major ideas and principles that relate to the teaching and learning of vocabulary and evaluates a wide range of practical activities designed to help boost students’ vocabulary acquisition. Key questions which are answered include: • How many words should students learn at a time, and how often? • How much classroom time should be spent teaching vocabulary? • What is the best way to group vocabulary for learning? • Is it useful to provide students with the L1 translations of unknown words? • Why do some students make greater progress than others? stuart webb is Professor in Applied Linguistics at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. paul nation is Emeritus Professor in Applied Linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Teachers will find answers to many of their perennial questions about vocabulary learning—as well as some they had not yet thought to ask! There is research evidence to support established practices, but also new evidence that challenges old ideas. patsy lightbown (co-author of How Languages are Learned, with Nina Spada)
Updated with new strategies, ideas, and websites, this research-based book features a wealth of ideas for developing vocabulary in all content areas. Many of the techniques explored in this book have the broader goal of enhancing the acquisition of content knowledge. The authors do an exceptional job of combining a strong research base with field-tested strategies for developing vocabulary in any K-12 classroom. Chapter topics include learning vocabulary from context, integrating vocabulary and reading strategy instruction, learning vocabulary in literature-based reading instruction, learning vocabulary in the content areas, using dictionaries and other references, assessing vocabulary knowledge, vocabulary instruction for learners with special needs, vocabulary and spelling instruction using structural analysis, and wordplay in the classroom. For elementary school teachers of reading, language arts, social studies, science, and remedial education.
Building on Michael Graves's bestseller, The Vocabulary Book, this new resource offers a comprehensive plan for vocabulary instruction that K–12 teachers can use with English language learners. It is broad enough to include instruction for students who are just beginning to build their English vocabularies, as well as for students whose English vocabularies are approaching those of native speakers. The authors describe a four-pronged program that follows these key components: providing rich and varied language experiences; teaching individual words; teaching word learning strategies; and fostering word consciousness. This user-friendly book integrates up-to-date research on best practices into each chapter and includes vignettes, classroom activities, sample lessons, a list of children's literature, and more.
