Vocabulary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Importance of Having a Good Vocabulary
Vocabulary is the name for the whole group of words a person knows. A
person who has a good vocabulary knows the meanings and uses of
thousands of words. |
|
|
|
|
Johnny and Ivan check out the truck. Ivan is
interested in trucks, has been told about trucks and now knows lots of
words to describe them. Johnny, on the other hand, is still learning.
Unfortunately, he may never catch up because even as he learns new words,
Ivan is learning new ones too. |
|
|
A good vocabulary and understanding of concepts is probably the most
important of all language skills. A good vocabulary reflects children’s
previous experience with language and their growing general knowledge.
This knowledge is definitely related to literacy development and is linked
to future academic success.
We all read the words we know more easily than words we don’t know.
Children who are beginning to learn to read need a good oral vocabulary to
help them decode words and make sense of text. Over time the words children
have in their oral vocabulary become part of their reading vocabulary. At
about grade four children begin to read more difficult texts. At this age
they are reading to learn as opposed to learning to read. To understand
these new and more difficult texts, children need to know the meanings of
most of the words they read. Children constantly need to learn the
meanings of new words.
The Four Types of Vocabulary
 | Listening vocabulary
– the words we need to know to understand what we hear |
| Speaking vocabulary
– the words we need to know to understand when we speak |
| Reading vocabulary
– the words we need to know to understand what we read |
| Writing vocabulary
– the words we use to write |
Vocabulary is the Cornerstone to Literacy
The importance of a good and growing vocabulary in literacy development
cannot be overemphasized. Young children’s vocabulary development is
enhanced through language rich environments and life experiences, as well
as by being read to regularly many times a week from birth. Older children
develop vocabulary by these means and by personal reading. The size and
quality of vocabulary has a great influence over children’s learning
potential. Children should learn many new words every day to ensure good
vocabulary development.
Here is an amazing fact: Young children can learn two to eight new words
per day. Children who can not take part in rich language environments and
life experiences are at risk of learning fewer new words each and every
day. It is clear that the vocabulary gap between children who have rich
language experiences and learn about eight new words per day (3000 words
per year) and those who only learn two new words per day (750 words per
year) is ever increasing. At school this gap is difficult, if not
impossible, to overcome.
Did You Know?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|