Most second-language learners lack exposure to academic language and have few opportunities to use it; thus, the onus is on educators to create appropriate learning environments for these students. Oral language proficiency is critical for advancing second-language learners' academic success; vocabulary is a particularly critical aspect of oral proficiency. Students' word knowledge is the driver of language production and reception (i.e., speaking and listening) and is critical for learning new information. This report presents building vocabulary and oral language development for second-language learners.