Date of Award
4-24-2018
Degree Type
Certificate of Advanced Study
Program
Connecticut Literacy Specialist
Advisor
Dr. Karen C. Waters
Abstract
Researchers have shown a gap in the vocabulary development of children based on socioeconomic status, as well as an increase in the number of students in American public schools that qualify as English Learners (ELs). Based on previous studies showing that vocabulary acquisition is related to increased reading comprehension and academic success, the aim of the present study was to determine for the most effective strategies for vocabulary acquisition using an interactive read aloud routine. Using Vygotsky’s social constructivism as the theoretical framework, we examined the effectiveness of these strategies in an action research project with seven second grade ELs, using explicit vocabulary instruction of targeted words, practice applying word-solving strategies, and multiple opportunities to interact with targeted words through conversation and collaborative writing. Results pointed to the benefits of both explicit and implicit instruction in vocabulary and the benefit of interactive read aloud across a text set. By incorporating an interactive read aloud routine into daily practice, students increased oral language and demonstrated greater understanding of academic and domain-specific vocabulary through contextualized application, as evidenced through their ability to explain newly-acquired terminology.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, S. (2018). Vocabulary acquisition for ELs. Unpublished Certificate of Advanced Study Thesis, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/lit/6/
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons
Comments
Prepared for EDR 692 Applied Reading and Language Arts Research. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the coursework required for the post-masters' Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Literacy.