Using a meta-analytic approach, we evaluate the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and children's experiences measured with the Language Environment Analysis (LENA) system. Our final analysis included 22 independent samples, representing data from 1583 children. A model controlling for LENA[TM] measures, age and publication type…

Word lists present an essential tool in vocabulary teaching. Compilation of specific word lists for various fields is one of the most prominent branches of research in this field at the moment. New methodological changes in word list formation have been proposed because of the appearance of the New-GSL (Brezina & Gablasova, 2013) and AVL…

The objective of this report is to review studies that report language and literacy outcomes associated with preschool curriculum-based interventions. Results from studies reporting on interventions targeting preschool children from low-income families were included regardless of the specific type of program. Although the majority of preschool…

The development of phonological awareness (PA) before school age was modeled in association with the development of vocabulary and letter knowledge, home literacy environment (HLE), children's reading interest, and beginning reading skill in children with and without familial risk of dyslexia. A total of 186 children were followed from birth to…

Extracts guidelines from research for incorporating vocabulary instruction into the everyday routines of the classroom. (EL)

This paper discusses deaf readers' acquisition of word meanings from context. It describes what is involved in deriving word meanings from context; identifies issues relevant for deaf learners; isolates factors that make an impact on the learning-from-context process (task factors, reader factors, text factors, and word features), and identifies…

Describes principled, research-based ways to consider vocabulary instruction. Focuses on the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension, the role of direct instruction, and definitional, contextual, and conceptual methods of vocabulary instruction. (SKC)

Systematic vocabulary instruction accelerates reading progress; improves one's thought processes; and provides progress in originality, organization, and choice of words. Some school districts have experimented, with some success, with teaching Latin as a way of improving vocabulary. In addition, several studies have indicated the value of a…

Describes the characteristics of academic language (mature expository prose; the formal English of college textbooks). Discusses theoretical and practical issues involved in the procedures for selecting and teaching academic vocabulary, and suggests teaching ideas, techniques, and materials. (RL)

Reviews "The Nature of Vocabulary Acquisition" by Margaret G. McKeown and Mary E. Curtis. Focuses on three questions involving vocabulary acquisition: (1) What does it mean to know the meaning of a word?; (2) How does knowledge about word meanings develop?; and (3) What is the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and comprehension? (MM)

Reviews research indicating that presenting vocabulary in semantically related clusters may improve students' vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension. Describes how words from elementary school textbooks were divided into semantic clusters and makes suggestions for their use. (FL)

Provides six propositions concerning the use of vocabulary in business writing. Suggests practical exercises for teaching these propositions to business students. (RL)

Extensive research in the area of vocabulary development revealed a very limited amount of information on elaboration for writing. Only one article was found that substantiated the need to connect vocabulary with elaborative writing. This topical bibliography and commentary summarizes the findings in that article. The bibliography/ commentary…

Arguing that researchers in the last decade have helped to illuminate a direction for effective vocabulary development for students, this monograph reviews the recent research on vocabulary knowledge. After a discussion of the importance of vocabulary knowledge, the monograph examines the various factors in vocabulary acquisition identified by…

Discusses research on direct vocabulary instruction. Suggests that instructional practices can be affected by the educator's philosophy toward teaching vocabulary, by the amount of practice afforded for building associations between words and meanings, and by the information provided for promoting "fuller" understanding of word meaning.…