A study assessed the effectiveness of a computer software program in teaching a list of unfamiliar words to eleventh graders, by comparing the program's instructional approach, which incorporates definitional and contextual word knowledge, with approaches that use definitional or contextual information only. A modified mixed approach proved most…

Shares the results of two studies on the Possible Sentences strategy which indicate that the strategy can be as effective, if not more so, than semantic mapping in teaching vocabulary and fostering recall information. (MG)

Presents four learning activities: reading strategies for non-English-speaking students; reading and writing limericks; "word splash"; and shadow puppets. (MG)

Consequences were withheld for high-rate gesture requests of 6 mentally handicapped individuals (ages 12-40), to increase the proportion of gestures used spontaneously. Results suggest that the teacher's nonresponding to high-rate spontaneous gesture requests increased individuals' use of previously taught but unused gesture requests. (Author/JDD)

This replication study demonstrated that Jordanian college students studying English recognized the meanings of new words and built associations between them after comprehension-focused extensive reading. Controlled book-length reading generated more incidental word learning and a higher pickup rate than shorter tasks. Word frequency did not make…

This assessment of two computerized vocabulary games addressed three issues: (1) did undergraduate students' scores improve when they reviewed the meanings of words?; (2) did students improve their ability to determine the meaning of new words?; and (3) did students with low verbal skills demonstrate greater improvement than students with high…

Investigates how early a developing bilingual who is exposed simultaneously to English and Spanish can make appropriate language choices. Kept detailed records of the child's cumulative vocabulary from the first word at 10 months and on weekly audiovideo recording in both Spanish and English contexts from age 1-3. (Author/VWL)

Using cognitive linguistics to study the subjective lexicon of second-language (L2) learners of English, this article examines two questions: whether cognitive processes such as metonymy, metaphor, generalization, and specialization are used for expansion in the L2 lexicon; and what other factors work in understanding prototypical…

Argues that bimodal video is an effective way of enhancing second-language (L2) learners' understanding of authentic texts and their learning of content and vocabulary in the L2. Bimodal video is subtitled in the L2 and provides simultaneous exposure to spoken language, printed text, and visual information, all conveying the same message.…

Describes a new children's television series on PBS that was developed to teach literacy by emphasizing reading and writing. Topics include the multimedia approach; and curriculum priorities, including showing benefits of access to print materials, the value of learning to read and write, and introducing new vocabulary words. (LRW)

Considers the reasons for utilizing artifacts when teaching social studies to children. Describes seven artifact kits: (1) an object box; (2) resource kit; (3) primary source enhancement kit; (4) symbol kits; (5) economic process kit; (6) packs; and (7) a kit for an archaeology dig. Provides an appendix for sources of artifacts. (CMK)

Examined individual growth rates in definitional skill over a period of 3 to 6 years, for 68 low-income children. Results of the study support the notion that definitional skill is related to being part of an academic culture; low-income mothers, whose formal schooling is complete, generally do not give oral definitions to simple nouns as well as…

Investigated Russian children's color-term acquisition, testing one theory of color universals using acquisition order as a basicness measure and determining whether two terms for blue were genuinely basic. Testing on color-term listing, production, and comprehension indicated that color-term acquisition order agreed with the theory. The two blue…

Investigated the number of times a word must be encountered in order to be learned and the types of contexts that are conducive to learning in a vocabulary acquisition study with Quebec school-aged English-as-a-Second-Language learners at five levels of proficiency. Learners read text and were tested on new vocabulary and learned and unlearned…

Describes an interdisciplinary art activity that aims to improve students' mathematics vocabularies and their drawing and computer skills. Focuses on the painting style of Stuart Davis, whose artworks included words. Students create their artworks using the Painting Document of ClarisWorks. (CMK)