Discusses the feasibility of Basic Variety (BV) principles proposed by Klein and Perdue, arguing that some of them need clarification with learner varieties and that they are not part of Universal Grammar (UG) as they exclude phenomena (e.g., psych verbs) that cannot be excluded from the core of natural language. (15 references) (Author/CK)

A study investigated the efficacy of the mnemonic graphic organizer strategy on the vocabulary acquisition of beginning and advanced adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. Subjects, 48 adults enrolled in two adult ESL classes at a metropolitan adult school, were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental…

To test the hypothesis that a large proportion of school children's vocabulary growth occurs through incidental learning from written context, a study was conducted using 57 eighth grade students of average and above average reading ability. The subjects read a 1,000 word expository or narrative text. After reading, subjects completed two…

This monograph is based on research designed to (1) identify the vocabulary words introduced at each grade level by the basal reader series adopted by the Georgia Board of Education; (2) determine the extent of overlap among the books is the series; (3) compare these lists with other recognized word lists; and (4) generated a list of words for the…

Intended for young children just becoming familiar with computers, this naming book introduces and reinforces new computer vocabulary and concepts. The 20 words are presented alphabetically, along with illustrations, providing room for different activities in which children can match and name the pictures and words. The 20 vocabulary items are…

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A CHILD'S LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND A STIMULATING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT IS DISCUSSED. A PROGRAM FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN ENABLES THESE CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND AND COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR TEACHERS IN THE FIRST GRADE. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF 400 BASIC ENGLISH WORDS TAUGHT IN A 6- OR 8-WEEK PERIOD IMMEDIATELY…

THE EXPERIMENTAL USE OF VIDEO AND TAPE RECORDINGS IN TEACHING THREE NEUROLOGICALLY DISABLED BOYS AGED 8, 9, AND 10 TO READ IS REPORTED. EXPERIENCE CHARTS WERE USED TO PRESENT BOTH UNCONTROLLED AND CONTROLLED VOCABULARY. THREE SPACES VIDEO-TAPED DEMONSTRATIONS WITH THE CHILDREN WERE USED TO DIAGNOSE PROGRESS AND AS MOTIVATIONAL DEVICES. THE…

The author expressed the following opinions on vocabulary development: (1) The concept of core vocabulary should be rethought due to the rapid change in our language and society. (2) A formalized, structured vocabulary development program is highly desirable. (3) Despite many existing information media, it is necessary to reintroduce students to…

Efforts to substantially reduce adult illiteracy in the United States have been largely unsuccessful. The purpose of this study was to obtain a basic word list, based on oral vocabulary of adult black illiterates in two urban centers, which could subsequently be used to develop basic education reading materials, reading tests, and a readability…

Contends that developing an interest in a particular topic is the first step in getting students ready to read in the social studies. Maintains the teacher must find ways of using what children already know and couple this with their experiential background to fulfill the need for establishing familiarity before reading. (TRS)

The criteria of 75 percent utility for phonetic rules to be used in reading instruction may be based on faulty logic. Once children achieve approximate pronunciation by applying phonetic rules, they usually can infer proper pronunciation. This supports teaching children to find and pronounce little words in larger unknown words. (MCK)

For purposes of this paper, author considers the focal issue to be that of teaching decoding skills and confines her definition of reading to the teaching of only these decoding skills. (Author/MB)

Details a study indicating that the minimal level of literacy necessary for adults in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is very high. Provides a master list of vocabulary words, symbols, numbers, abbreviations, computational skills, and writing skills needed for functional literacy. (MKM)

Describes a series of class activities with bilingual children aged four through seven that foster reading in either language by building personal vocabulary collections. Construction of their own reading vocabularies can engage young students in reading relevant words that are invested with emotion and meaning. (SV)

Examined cross-linguistic similarities and differences in early lexical and grammatical development among English- and Italian-speaking preschoolers. Parents completed surveys on vocabulary size, vocabulary composition, and grammatical complexity. No cross-linguistic differences surfaced in the composition of vocabulary in this age range. There…