PromotingVocabularyLearningforEnglishLearners.pdf

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Promoting Vocabulary Learning for English Learners

Wessels, Stephanie

Reading Teacher, v65 n1 p46-50 Sep 2011. 5 pp.

Not available from ERIC
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770;
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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.1598/RT.65.1.6/abstract

Y

0034-0561

Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Second Language Learning,
Vocabulary Development, English (Second Language), Instruction,
Instructional Effectiveness, Change Strategies, Educational Strategies,
Learning Strategies, Teaching Methods, Mainstreaming, Educational
Principles

Vocabulary knowledge, which is key to the reading comprehension of
English learners (ELs), must be a focus for every teacher in today’s
increasingly diverse schools, including those in the mainstream classroom.
This article strives to increase awareness of the five characteristics of
effective vocabulary instruction as well as demonstrate how such
characteristics can be variously emphasized in the before-, during-, and
after-reading phases of the instructional process. Research-based strategies
can provide teachers and ELs with a gateway to increased vocabulary
learning. One such strategy, the Vocabulary Quilt, is explored in depth to
illustrate how teachers can use a single strategy throughout the lesson to
access students’ background knowledge, support students in making critical
content connections, and guide students to higher levels of word knowledge.

As Provided

0

English

5

Teachers

Elementary Secondary Education

Journal Articles; Reports – Descriptive

APR2018

2012

EJ961006

ERIC

Promoting Vocabulary Learning for English Learners.

TEACHING TIP

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The continual increase of linguistic diversity in the United States is having a profound effect on the nation’s schools.
English learn ers (ELs) constitute the fastest growing school-age population, of which approximately 55% are
native born and 45% are foreign born (Lachat, 2004). Classroom teachers have to address the double demands on
ELs, who are learning English while simultaneously learning to read academic content (Gersten, 1996).

Vocabulary knowledge is essential to students’ academic success. If students do not understand the meaning of
the words in the text, they will have difficulty understanding the content. Vocabulary knowledge is the single best
predictor of ELs’ academic achievement (White, Graves, & Slater, 1990). With this in mind, effective vocabulary
instruction must be a goal of all educators working with ELs, not just those who specialize in English as a second
language.

In this article, I draw from data collected and analyzed as part of a larger study on the effect of research-based
strategies on the vocabulary development of ELs (Wessels, 2008). I have identified five characteristics necessary
for students’ vocabulary learning: (1) accessing background knowledge, (2) connecting unknown vocabulary to
known knowledge, (3) ensuring opportunities for meaningful vocabulary use, (4) providing multiple exposures, and
(5) focusing on higher level knowledge (Allen, 1999; Carr & Wixson, 1996; Nagy 1998; Watts, 1995). This article
examines how educators can integrate these characteristics into instruction throughout the reading process (see
Table 1 for an overview). A rationale for each characteristic of effective vocabulary instruction is provided, and its
integration in a specific instructional phase is illustrated through discussion of the Vocabulary Quilt (Herrera, 2007;
Herrera, 2010), an example of a research-based vocabulary strategy. The Vocabulary Quilt offers EL students the
opportunity to activate background knowledge and use their existing resources to connect with target vocabulary.
The strategy revolves around a word quilt, a learning tool used by students throughout instruction.

Before-Reading Phase
The purpose of the before-reading phase is to prepare students for what they will encounter in the text and to
develop domain knowledge (Gibbons, 2002). This preparation should include activating background knowledge,
incorporating known vocabulary, and introducing target vocabulary. In the before-reading phase, two characteristics
of effective vocabulary instruction are emphasized: (1) accessing background knowledge and (2) connecting
unknown vocabulary to known knowledge.

Background knowledge is what students use to develop, expand, and refine word meanings (Rupley Logan, &
Nichols, 1999). When ELs bring their background knowledge to the surface and are provided with opportunities to
share their initial connections, the teacher can assess their understanding and plan a route for instruction to clarify
and enrich students’ vocabulary knowledge.

ELs should be encouraged to use their cultural and linguistic knowledge to establish and strengthen their
understanding of the target vocabulary. Research on the literacy development of ELs suggests that language
knowledge and skills acquired through the native language can be transferred to English, although degrees of
language transfer vary depending on individual differences and their proficiency in the native language
(Goldenberg, 2008). A student’s ability to learn a new word in the second language is enhanced when they have
access to concepts stored in their first language (DeKeyser & Juffs, 2005).

After students have activated their existing knowledge, they begin making new connections to known words, ideas,
and images in long-term memory. As a result of these connections, ELs are more likely to actively construct
meaning in context. The rich engagement with the vocabulary increases the likelihood that students will take
ownership of their learning and use the new vocabulary (Blachowicz & Fisher, 2000).

Vocabulary Quilt in the Before-Reading Phase
The teacher selected target vocabulary from the story Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Blume, 2007), part of the
district’s reading program. Students were placed in groups of three and recorded their individual responses in each

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square of the quilt. Each student in the group was able to participate through the use of native language (solution:
untiempo), drawings {solution: girl with magnifying glass; and present: a gift) or by rewriting the target vocabulary
when they could not make any connections (cooperation and method). Some connections indicated a partial
understanding of the vocabulary, which can be built upon and extended (committee: a group of people). While the
students were working, the teacher circulated around the room monitoring each group. After the students had
written or drawn their responses, each group was given an opportunity to discuss their individual ideas.

During-Reading Phase
In the during-reading phase, students read and determine how their background knowledge can be linked to the
text and the target vocabulary. The teacher and students have conversations about the vocabulary as it appears in
context. Discussing new vocabulary in an authentic context is essential for ELs (Carlo, August, & Snow, 2005). In
the during-reading phase, two characteristics are emphasized: (1) ensuring opportunities for meaningful use of the
vocabulary words and (2) providing multiple exposures.

Ensuring meaningful use of the vocabulary requires that educators stay away from lecture (Bromley, 2002) and
instead call attention to the use of the words in context, helping students make meaningful connections to their own
lives. Group discussions and related small-group vocabulary activities support and expand ELs’ understanding of
the target words while exposing them to rich language from their peers. For students to integrate new words into
their vocabulary, they must continue to use the words after initial introduction (Beck, McKeown, & Kucan, 2002).
ELs need multiple access points to word meanings that will support their understanding (Schunk, 1999).

Vocabulary Quilt in the During-Reading Phase
As students read the story silently or listened to peers read aloud, they placed sticky notes on the target vocabulary
in the text. Because they had to explicitly identify the vocabulary on the page, the students were able to develop a
greater awareness of the role these words played in the text. At designated stopping points, the teacher and
students collaborated to identify the target words they had encountered and discuss their meaning. The teacher
guided students to make connections to their background knowledge in ways that allowed them to build, extend,
and clarify their understanding.

Throughout this phase, the teacher was able to acknowledge students’ connections with the words and address
misunderstandings. For example, one of the words was present, and several of the students had drawn a picture of
a wrapped gift. While the students were reading the text, they came across the word present.

Student 1: [reading the sentence from the book] “Everyone was present for the committee meeting.” [The student
continued to read aloud the rest of the page.]

Teacher: Was there a vocabulary word located on this page?

Student 1: Present.

Student 2: This is not like a present you give someone.

Teacher: What does this present mean?

Student 3: It means that everyone was in the room and ready to go.

Teacher: So they were in attendance. The word present is a multiple meaning word. This means that the word can
have many different meanings. Several of you drew a picture of a present like you would get for your birthday.
However, in this story it means something different. It means everyone was at the meeting who needed to be there.

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In this example, the students were able to learn an additional, contextually appropriate meaning of the target word –
– present.

After-Reading Phase
In the after-reading phase, students review and critically think about their learning so that they can refine and
deepen their word knowledge. In this phase, students strengthen their vocabulary understandings by focusing on
higher level knowledge. Students should be given time to process the information they learned and reflect on how
the new vocabulary knowledge integrates with their existing knowledge. Having thoroughly explored their
connections to the target vocabulary, ELs are more prepared to demonstrate their understanding. End-of-instruction
assessments, in conjunction with various informal assessments of learning, provide the teacher with evidence of
the degree to which students have attained the vocabulary knowledge.

Vocabulary Quilt in the After-Reading Phase
ELs worked in their original groups to consolidate their understanding of the target vocabulary. They collaborated to
generate definitions given what they had learned throughout discussions of the story. By the end, the students were
able to demonstrate their newly acquired understandings, indicating a higher level of word knowledge. The
students were able to build vocabulary knowledge that did not previously exist (cooperation: when people work
together; and method: a plan for doing something), extend on their initial understandings (committee: a group of
people chosen to do a particular job), and clarify misconceptions of the vocabulary in specific context Solution: you
have a problem and you figure it out). The students recorded their definitions on sticky notes and added them to
the quilt. By revisiting their quilt, the students were able to assess the degree to which they had increased their
understanding of the vocabulary. The final Vocabulary Quilts (Figure 1) captured the students’ full progression of
learning in relation to the target vocabulary.

Final Thoughts
The use of research-based strategies such as the Vocabulary Quilt can replace traditional vocabulary instruction
that heavily relies on worksheets or dictionary work. Traditional vocabulary instruction produces only superficial
understanding, and students rapidly forget words (McKeown, 1993). In contrast, the Vocabulary Quilt strategy
embeds the characteristics of effective vocabulary instruction. It is designed to actively engage EL students with the
academic vocabulary words throughout all phases of instruction.

In the before-reading phase, this strategy allows students to activate their background knowledge and provides the
teacher with insights into students’ lives to help them make relevant connections between their background
knowledge and the new vocabulary words. The students then engage in meaningful use of the target words in the
during-reading phase, resulting in multiple exposures to the vocabulary words.

As the students continue to make connections to the target vocabulary using their background knowledge, the text,
the teacher, and their peers as resources, they come to a higher level of word knowledge, which they document on
their final quilt in the after-reading phase. The Vocabulary Quilt strategy thus helps educators facilitate vocabulary
learning not only for EL students, but also for primary English speakers as well. At the end of the lesson, students
have a tangible product that documents their learning and can serve as a useful study aid.

“Rich engagement with the vocabulary increases the likelihood that students will take ownership of their learning”

Pause and Ponder
* How am I currently activating my EL students’ background knowledge about key vocabulary in the lesson?

* How can I sustain vocabulary learning throughout all phases of a lesson?

* How can the vocabulary quilt be used in content area lessons?

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MORE TO EXPLORE

ReadWriteThink.org Lesson Plan
* “Let’s Read It Again: Comprehension Strategies for English-Language Learners” by Christine Kalemba

IRA Books
* Dynamic Read-Aloud Strategies for English Learners: Building Language and Literacy in the Primary Grades by
Peggy Hickman and Sharolyn D. Pollard-Durodola

* Supporting the Literacy Development of English Learners: Increasing Success in All Classrooms edited by Terrell
A. Young and Nancy L. Hadaway

IRA Journal Articles
* “Using Sentence Frames to Develop Academic Vocabulary for English Learners” by Whitney Bray Donnelly and
Christopher J. Roe, The Reading Teacher, October 2010

* “Vocabulary Instruction for English Learners: Lessons From MCVIP” by Patrick C. Manyak, The Reading Teacher,
October 2010

* “What Does Oral Language Have to Do With It? Helping Young English-Language Learners Acquire a Sight Word
Vocabulary” by Lori A. Helman and Matthew K. Burns, The Reading Teacher, September 2008

Table 1 Overview of the Vocabulary Quilt Throughout Each Reading Phase
Legend for Chart:

A – Phase
B – Directions
C – Benefits

A
B
C

Before
* Choose vocabulary based on their relevance to the lesson. * To
make the quilt, create boxes on chart paper by folding it depending
on the number of words. * Divide students into groups of 3-4. *
Have the students write one word in each quilt. * Explain to
students that they are going to write (in English or their native
language) or draw whatever comes to mind when they read each word.
* Give students 2-3 minutes to individually write/draw something
for each word. If students have no recognition of a word, they
simply rewrite the word. * Provide students with the opportunity to
discuss in their group the connections made. * This phase lasts
about 10-15 minutes.
* Allowing use of linguistic and nonlinguistic representations,
including the native language, ensures all students can
participate. * Talking with peers supports ELs’ connections and
articulation their background knowledge.
During
* Post the quilts so students can revisit the quilts throughout the
lesson. * As vocabulary is encountered in the text, stop to discuss
students’ reactions and comments. * Working as a facilitator, refer
to the quilts and help students make connections between their
initial connections and text-related information. * Monitor
students’ understanding to clarify misconceptions of activated
knowledge or the text that could interfere with their
understanding. * The time limit for this phase depends on the

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length of the story and the discussion about each word.
* Focusing on target vocabulary allows ELs to selectively
attend to the words in relation to the content. * Revisiting
students’ words/images encourages ELs to view the background
knowledge as a resource.
After
* Have students work together to generate a definition for each
word and record it on a sticky note to put on the quilt. * Groups
share with the class the definitions they generated. * The
completed quilts can be revisited as a review of content learned
throughout the semester. * This phase lasts about 15-20 minutes.
* Writing their own definitions provides students with a
greater sense of ownership of their learning and allows them to
demonstrate newly acquired knowledge.
Note. Adapted from Biography-Driven Culturally Responsive Teaching
by S. Herrera (2010). New York: Teachers College Press.

Figure 1 Completed Vocabulary Quilt

REFERENCES
Allen, J. (1999). Words, words, words: Teaching vocabulary in grades 4-12. York, ME: Stenhouse.

Beck, I.L., McKeown, M.G., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction. New York:
Guilford.

Blachowicz, C, & Fisher, P. (2000). Vocabulary instruction. In M. Kamil, P. Mosenthal, PD. Pearson, & R. Barr
(Eds.), Handbook of reading research (Vol. 3, pp. 503-523). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Bromley, K. (2002). Stretching students’ vocabulary. New York: Scholastic.

Carlo, M., August, D., & Snow, C.E. (2005). Sustained vocabulary-learning strategy instruction for English-
language learners. In E.H. Hiebert & M.L. Kamil (Eds.), Teaching and learning vocabulary: Bringing research to
practice (pp. 137-154). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Carr, E., & Wixson, K.K. (1996). Guidelines for evaluating vocabulary instruction. Journal of Reading, 29(7), 588-
595.

DeKeyser, R.M., & Juffs, A. (2005). Cognitive considerations in L2 learning. In E. Hinkel (Ed.), Handbook of
research in second language teaching and learning (pp. 437-454). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

Gersten, R.M. (1996). The double demands of teaching English language learners. Educational Leadership, 53(5),
18-22.

Gibbons, P. (2002). Scaffolding language, scaffolding learning. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Goldenberg, C. (2008). Teaching English language learners: What the research does — and does not — say.
American Educator, 32(2), 8-44.

Herrera, S. (2007). By teachers, with teachers, for teachers: ESL methods course module. Manhattan, KS: K-
CAT/TLC.

Herrera, S. (2010). Biography-driven culturally responsive teaching. New York: Teachers College Press.

Lachat, MA. (2004). Standards-based instruction and assessment for English language learners. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Corwin.

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McKeown, M.G. (1993). Creating effective definitions for young word learners. Reading Research Quarterly, 28(1),
16-31. doi:10.2307/747814

Nagy W.E. (1998). Teaching vocabulary to improve reading comprehension. Newark, DE: International Reading
Association.

Rupley W., Logan, J., & Nichols, W. (1999). Vocabulary instruction in a balanced reading program. The Reading
Teacher, 52(4), 336-346.

Schunk, HA. (1999). The effect of singing paired with signing on receptive vocabulary skills of elementary ESL
students. Journal of Music Therapy, 36(2), 110-124.

Watts, S. (1995). Vocabulary instruction during reading lessons in six classrooms. Journal of Reading Behavior,
27(3), 399-424.

Wessels, S. (2008). A mixed study of the impacts of an IBA intervention on the vocabulary development of
culturally and linguistically diverse students. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Kansas State University,
Manhattan.

White, T.G., Graves, M.F., & Slater, W.H. (1990). Growth of reading vocabulary in diverse elementary schools:
Decoding and word meaning. Journal of Educational , 82(2), 281-290. doi:10.1037/0022-0663.82.2.281

LITERATURE CITED
Blume, J. (2007). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York: Puffin.

~~~~~~~~
By Stephanie Wessels

Stephanie Wessels is an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education at
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA; e-mail [email protected].

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