teaching vocabulary to english language learners

Teachers can use prompts such as, “In this book, the workers had to hurry to get all of the boxes onto the train. Connecting words to the theme of the book helps to ground children’s understanding of words and to see how words are related. Introducing words through children’s literature provides context for children to experience and understand the meaning of words.

The Multidimensional Vocabulary Program included the following characteristics of instruction: Introduce words through engaging children’s literature A small but consistent body of intervention research suggests that English learners will benefit most from rich, intensive vocabulary instruction that emphasizes student-friendly definitions, 9 that engages students in the meaningful use of word meanings in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, 10 and that provides regular review. The principles of the MVP curriculum hold promise for supporting the vocabulary development of all learners, especially English language learners. This program integrated multiple ways of teaching words to support children’s word learning. In developing a curriculum for both monolingual English speakers and English language learners, I applied these principles in what I termed the Multidimensional Vocabulary Program (MVP). Work by Isabel Beck, Margaret McKeown, Andrew Biemiller and countless others has led to consensus on principles of effective vocabulary instruction. Knowing these words may help children understand texts in language arts, science, and social studies throughout their school years. For example, in the book Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Daniel Lewis (1999), children may be introduced to words such as hurry, load/unload, freight, empty, steep, deep, wide, swift, tunnel, and underground. Reading books to children is one way to introduce them to a wide range of vocabulary that they may not hear in their everyday conversations with adults and peers. Many children, especially English language learners, need support in acquiring the substantial vocabulary they need to become good readers. It provides the foundation for learning to decode and comprehend text. Vocabulary knowledge is a major building block in children’s early literacy development.

Teaching vocabulary to english language learners