For children with complex communication needs in the early stages of language development, access to appropriate vocabulary provides a means for social interaction and participation, and the foundation for the acquisition of grammar and other language related skills. While numerous resources are available to support decision making for speakers of…

Learning to read requires knowledge of word meanings for those words most commonly encountered in basic reading materials. Many young students lack the basic vocabulary knowledge needed to facilitate learning to read. Two randomized studies were conducted to test the effects of an online, computer-adaptive vocabulary instruction program designed…

It is beneficial for students to experience situational learning, especially for English as a foreign language (EFL) learning. Providing more listening and speaking opportunities could help EFL students with English learning. Our research proposes a listening and speaking practice system employing personal digital assistants (PDAs) for situated…

This article reports on the design and use of a profiler for lexical sophistication (i.e., use of advanced vocabulary), which was created to assess the lexical richness of intermediate and advanced Swedish second language (L2) learners' French and Italian. It discusses how teachers' judgments (TJs) of word difficulty can contribute to the…

According to research findings in English-language teaching, vocabulary acquisition is not given enough attention. As a result, second-language learners are caught in a difficult situation in reading comprehension. This paper proposes helping English-language learners develop basic vocabulary so that that they can read effectively. The approach to…

THE 1926 BUCKINGHAM-DOLCH WORD STUDY WAS REPLICATED TO DETERMINE THE PRESENT-DAY VALIDITY OF THE 1926 BUCKINGHAM-DOLCH LIST. APPROXIMATELY 8,000 CHILDREN IN GRADES 2 THROUGH 6 FROM SIX SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON, WERE ASKED TO LIST ALL THE WORDS THEY COULD THINK OF WITHIN A 15-MINUTE PERIOD. RESPONSES WERE KEY PUNCHED ONTO DATA…

Updates a list (originally published in 1963) of "survival" or essential words--words so important for survival and success in everyday life that everyone should know them. Notes that recognition of these key words and phrases may require non-English-speaking individuals, disabled readers, and adult literacy students to use rote memorization for…

Claims students' use of the cliche is unavoidable and relative to culture, place, and time, and that the cliche can, and often does, communicate efficiently. Suggests six techniques such as extending, inverting, punning, and combining, that combined with some imagination, can turn cliches into small teasures. (NH)

The verbs in Gougenheim's Basic Dictionary are regrouped according to three classifications (synonyms, antonyms, and association) and organized according to semantic fields. Exercises designed to emphasize these relationships are suggested. (MSE)

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…

Developed to improve the educational testing program and to reflect the content of the state curriculum for students in Texas, this paper lists words selected from all state-adopted basal reading series, plus several other appropriate sources, which may be included in test items on the Texas Educational Assessment of Minimum Skills (TEAMS) tests.…

The Instructional Concepts Program of the Southwest Regional Laboratory (SWRL) is designed to help kindergarten children learn the labels of concepts which are important to success in school. Since vocabulary differences are characteristic of dialect differences, it is possible that some items taught in the Instructional Concepts Program are…

Research studies concerned with the development, utility, and evaluation of various types of word lists are reported in this bibliography. Included are such topics as vocabulary loads in various reading materials, phonic generalizations applied to word lists, and basic speaking, writing, or reading vocabularies of various groups. In Part I, 51…

A method for developing and expanding basic French vocabulary by using a basic word list and derivation techniques is examined, and research on this approach is presented. (MSE)

This booklet discusses a procedure to assist students experiencing difficulty in learning the "Dolch Basic Sight Vocabulary of 220 Words" and rearranges a list of 220 words to make it easier for students to learn. The procedure discussed in the booklet is based on the "word family" approach, in which words like "all call,…