Vocabulary knowledge provides a source of prior knowledge and word meaning that can be used to enhance reading comprehension. It is important that teachers be aware and knowledgeable of the many strategies available to enhance vocabulary growth, and also how to teach these strategies to students. These strategies can range from the use of context…

Based on the idea that word knowledge has particular importance in literate societies, this Digest finds that most people feel that there is a common sense relationship between vocabulary and reading comprehension, i.e., messages are composed of ideas, and ideas are expressed in words. The Digest considers several viewpoints on teaching…

Noting that children's success as learners rests on their ability to read well, this booklet provides parents with information about learning to read and includes activities for them to use in helping their children become readers. Twelve essential components of research-based reading programs are discussed: components 1 through 5 list activities…

In spite of its obvious importance to academic success, vocabulary development has received little instructional attention in recent years. But finding ways to increase students' vocabulary growth throughout the school years must become a major educational priority. The purpose of this booklet is to help educators and administrators make…

This report describes a program to increase sight/functional vocabulary to improve reading comprehension. The targeted population consisted of one 2nd-3rd grade and one 6th-8th grade cross-categorical self-contained class, located in an elementary school and a middle school. The schools were located in a northeast suburb of a major city in the…

A teacher initiates and successfully develops a new method for increasing the vocabulary of eighth grade students. The new method abandons rote-memory techniques for a method which allows the students to choose the words they will learn while participating in the teaching of the new vocabulary. (LF)

Integrating instruction in reading and vocabulary can aid language learning for nonnative speakers of English. Theories behind some of the difficulties in learning English are discussed and some practical methods for lessening those difficulties are suggested. (Author/MLW)

Examines the effect of teaching signs on the expressive language output of young hearing children. Discusses practical application of this technique for enhancing language development. (EKN)

Compared the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) for 31 gifted children. The sample mean for the PPVT-R was significantly lower than for the PPVT. Additionally, the PPVT and PPVT-R correlated to a significant degree, yielding a standard score correlation coefficient of .83. (Author)

Analyzed published data on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) to ascertain whether the Information and Vocabulary subtests can function as measures of intelligence. Concluded that the addition of more WAIS subtests will not result in any increase in predictive validity and these additional tests, therefore, lack incremental validity.…

Discusses exercises in foreign language teaching in which the learner can, from experience in his own language, conjecture the meaning of foreign words from the context. Shows, with examples, how such exercises can be created using nonsense words. (IFS/WGA)