Presents Dr. Kato Lomb's conclusions about language acquisition, which agree with current theory: comprehensible input is central; grammar plays a peripheral role in language development. (Author/CK)

Presents the rationale for and the results of a pilot study attempting to document in detail how automatization takes place as the result of different kinds of intensive practice. Results show that reaction times and error rates gradually decline with practice, and the practice effect is skill-specific. (36 references) (CK)

In a task-based approach to learning, learners will often meet new vocabulary "in passing" as they pursue communicative goals. Argues that such encounters can be turned to the learners' advantage and that rather than remove difficult words, teachers should consider a number of cooperative options for exposing learners to new words during…

University English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners' responses to five different types of text-based vocabulary exercises were examined. The objective was to understand better how such exercises can promote different kinds of lexical processing and learning and to compare these outcomes with those from thematic reading for comprehension.…

Collected time-use diaries of television viewing from two cohorts of children (ages 2-5 and 4-7) from low-income families and gave annual tests of reading, math, receptive vocabulary, and school readiness. Found that viewing of child-audience informative programs between ages 2 and 3 predicted higher academic performance. Frequent viewers of…

Investigates word meaning constructions of four middle-school learners during self-selected reading events where learners targeted unfamiliar words. Explores learner perceptions about vocabulary acquisition. Finds learners used multiple strategies in single encounters with new words, were not inhibited by inaccurate word meaning constructions,…

A study examined the invented spelling abilities demonstrated by hearing, hard of hearing, or deaf kindergarten and first-grade students. The students with deafness outperformed hearing students in two areas: concept of word and word recognition and performed less well on phoneme awareness. Spelling patterns differed between the two groups.…

Examines interactive writing, an innovative approach to early writing instruction. Documents the concepts about print and writing strategies that a Title I reading teacher taught her first grade students across the school year. Indicates that interactive writing provides many opportunities to teach critical and fundamental literacy concepts.…

Emphasizes the goal-directedness of activity in relation to the intentionality of those involved, both individually and collectively, and with regard to sociohistorical and sociocultural contexts. Adapts and applies previous research to investigate the retention of new second language vocabulary. The study was carried out in a third semester…

Focuses on the collaborative processes used by fifth-grade English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners in content classrooms. Analysis of learners' helping strategies during cooperation indicated that training had been successful, and comparison of scores on vocabulary tests based on the text revealed significant gains.(Author/VWL)

Tests retention of two types of words, words that have to be inferred and words glossed in a text in an interactive program on the Internet for the practice of reading skills for academic purposes. Confirmed theories that retention of inferred words is higher than retention of words where the meaning is given, and that incidental vocabulary…

This article discusses how orientation and mobility instructors can provide direct sensory experience about many concepts that can effect meaningfully positive changes in the understanding and subsequent language development of children with visual impairments. It provides recommendations to enhance the linguistic knowledge and vocabulary…

A case is made for basing vocabulary teaching to English for special purposes economics students on lexis that reflects important underlying metaphors of the subject. These are identified with reference to high frequency lexis in "The Economist" magazine, and an explanation is offered of their metaphorical basis. (Author/VWL)

Describes two activities (the use of a newspaper and consultation with a dictionary) that English-as-a-second language (ESL) college students can use to independently learn new vocabulary. Finds that dictionary work was laborious but necessary, and that ESL students need to be taught prudent use of the dictionary. (SR)

First-, fourth-, and ninth-grade hearing students (n=30) were administered Carolina Picture Vocabulary Test items to determine if signs used in the test are iconic and can convey meaning at the moment of testing. The signs were sufficiently iconic to enable students unfamiliar with signs to identify a test picture. (Author/CR)