1. Rich Gradual Cumulative Recursive Goals:
Vocabulary growth in authentic situations
Improved ability to derive meaning of
unfamiliar words
3. Positive attitude about words and language
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2. Academic Vocabulary: The Key to Reading Comprehension
West Deptford, New Jersey
July 27-28, 2010
Today’s Agenda:
How do words get learned and
stay learned?
What do we mean by “academic
vocabulary”?
3. Implicit and explicit vocabulary
instruction
4. Classroom practices that grow
vocabulary
Academic Vocabulary: The Key to Reading Comprehension
Presenter: Amy Benjamin
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5. Words I use
Words I’ve learned on
vocabulary lists
Words I’m interested in

6. “Information Closet” Word other words that go with it how it changes
form to fit into
a sentence
synonyms
antonyms
lesser-used
definitions
spelling: spelling pattern
connotation
register: formal or informal
personal associations

7. What if ad executives taught vocabulary?
Talk about an advertisement that you know well.
What if ad executives taught vocabulary?

8. What if ad executives taught vocabulary?
repetition
association with emotion
association with an image
humor
story
novelty

9. Think of a child that you know well.
Turn & Talk: Talk about how this
child began to use language. How did he or she
learn his or her first words, phrases, and
sentences?

10. This is Charlotte.
Role play a conversation
that you would have with
Charlotte about juice.

11. “Charlotte, are you thirsty?
Would you like some juice?
What kind of juice do you
want? Do you want apple
juice? That’s the yellow juice
that you liked at Nana’s. No?
Do you want the purple juice? The grape juice?
OK. Do you want your juice in the sippy cup or
the Big Girl juice box? OK, now hold it carefully.
Two hands. Don’t squeeze it! It’ll spill all over the
place. Very carefully.Sip it through the straw.

13. Of Limited Value… Of Durable Value… Lists alone Context alone
Definitions alone
Dictionaries and Glossaries alone
Of Durable Value…
Words in clusters
Multiple exposures in various contexts
Chances to speak, hear, write the words
Manipulation of forms of words
Classify and categorize word lists
Word games

14. A Plan for School-wide Vocabulary Instruction
EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION
“Focus 40” words from the Academic Word List
selected by grade level teachers: 1 word per week
2-3 words related to or associated with each of the “Focus 40”; each subject area teacher decides on related words “
Subject-specific words, such as those found in a glossary
Students have more opportunities to read for a variety of purposes,
including self-selected material.
Academic Word List
Open Field
Elevated language used in class by teachers; students given
motive and opportunity to use elevated vocabulary in speech and
writing.
IMPLICIT INSTRUCTION

15. What do you think are the instructional implications
for your ELL’s?
Repetition in various contexts and forms
Physical associations with the language
“Target words” presented with “accessory
words”
Connect word to experience

16. “The Raven”: Vocabulary List
Lore
Morrow
Surcease
Entreat
Obeisance
Beguile
Countenance
Craven
Discourse
Placid
Melancholy
Plutonian
Pallid
Lethe
Nepenthe
Respite

17. Vocabulary List: The Giver
ironic jeering palpable apprehensive
ponder enhance chastise petulantly
droning hovered reflective hoarded
primly infraction prodded relinquish
exuberant somber transgressions audible
throng steeled tentative quizzically
weary fretful admonition fleeting
wryly sinuous exemplified assuage
tortuous flailing carnage stanch
obsolete

18. Key Idea We need both implicit and explicit instruction.
Natural learning that results
from repeated, meaningful
exposure:
listening
reading
Happens unconsciously
Hard to assess
Results in gradual understanding
Planned learning that results from
a designed lesson that features
the target word
Happens deliberately, with effort
Can be objectively assessed
Results in rapid understanding

19. The Academic Word List (AWL):
Background: The Academic Word List consists of 570 word families that are not in the most
frequent 2,000 words of English but which occur frequently over a very wide range of academic texts.
These 570 word families are grouped into ten subsets that reflect word frequency.
A word like analyze falls into Subset 1, which contains the most frequent words, while the word
adjacent falls into Subset 10 which includes the least frequent (among this list of high incidence words).
The AWL is not restricted to a specific field of study. That means that the words are useful for learners
studying in disciplines as varied as literature, science, health, business, and law.
This high-utility academic word list does not contain technical words likely to appear in one,
specific field of study such as amortization, petroglyph, onomatopoeia, or cartilage.
Two-thirds of all academic English derive from Latin or Greek.
Understandably, knowledge of the most high-incidence adademic words in English can significantly
boost a student’s comprehension level of school-based reading material. Students who are taught
these high-utility academic words and routinely placed in contexts requiring their usage are likely
to be able to master academic material with more confidence and efficiency, wasting less time and
energy in guessing words or consulting dictionaries than those who are only equipped with the most
basic words that characterize ordinary conversation.
The following link gives you a two-page version of the list:
Source: Coxhead, Averil. (2000). A new academic word list. TESOL Quarterly, 34,

20. Academic Word List: Subset 1
analyze approach area assess assume authority available benefit concept consist context constitute contract data define derive distribute economy environment establish estimate evident factor finance formula function income indicate individual interpret involve issue labor legal legislate major method percent period principle proceed process policy require research respond role section sector significant similar source specific structure theory vary
Academic Word List: Subset 2
achieve acquire administrate affect appropriate
aspect assist category chapter commission community
complex compute conclude conduct consequent construct
consume credit culture design distinct equate element
evaluate feature final focus impact injure institute invest item
journal maintain normal obtain participate perceive positive
potential previous primary purchase range region regulate
regulate relevant reside resource restrict secure seek select
site strategy survey tradition transfer

21. Academic Word List: Subset 3
alternative circumstance comment compensate component consent considerable constant constrain contribute convene coordinate core corporate correspond criteria deduce demonstrate document dominate emphasis ensure exclude
fund framework illustrate immigrate imply initial instance interact justify layer link locate maximize minor negate outcome philosophy physical proportion publish react register rely remove scheme sequence shift specify
sufficient technical technique technology valid volume
Academic Word List: Subset 4
access adequacy annual apparent approximate attitude
attribute civil code commit communicate concentrate
confer contrast cycle debate despite dimension domestic
emerge error ethnic grant hence hypothesis implement
implicate impose integrate internal investigate
mechanism occupy output overall parallel
parameter phase predict prior principal professional project
promote regime resolve retain series statistic status stress
subsequent sum summary undertake

22. Academic Word List: Subset 5
academy adjust alter amend aware capacity challeng clause compound conflict consult contact decline discrete draft enable energy enforce entity equivalent evolve expand expose external facilitate fundamental generate generation image liberal license logic margin mental medical modify
monitor network notion objective orient perspective precise
prime psychology pursue ratio reject revenue stable style
substitute sustain symbol target transit trend version welfare whereas
Academic Word List: Subset 6
abstract acknowledge accuracy aggregate allocate assign
attach bond brief capable cite cooperate discriminate
display diverse domain edit enhance estate exceed
explicit federal flexible furthermore gender ignorance
interval lecture migrate minimum ministry motive neutral
nevertheless overseas precede presume rational recover
reveal scope subsidy trace transform transport underlie utilize

23. Academic Word List: Subset 7
adapt adult advocate aid channel chemical classic
comprehensive comprise confirm contrary convert
decade definite deny differentiate dispose dynamic equip
eliminate empirical extract file finite foundation grade
guarantee hierarchy identical ideology infer innovate insert
intervene isolate media mode paradigm phenomenon priority
prohibit publication release reverse simulate sole
submit successor thesis topic transmit ultimate unique
Academic Word List: Subset 8
abandon accompany accumulate ambiguous appendix appreciate
arbitrary automate bias chart clarify commodity complement
conform contemporary contradict crucial currency denote
detect deviate displace eventual exhibit exploit
fluctuate guideline highlight implicit induce inevitable infrastructure
inspect intense manipulate minimize nuclear offset paragraph
practitioner predominant prospect radical random reinforce
restore revise schedule tense terminate theme thereby uniform
vehicle via virtual visual widespread

24. Academic Word List: Subset 9
accommodate analogy anticipate assure attain behalf cease
coherent coincide commence compatible concurrent confine
controversy converse device devote diminish distort duration
erode ethic format inherent insight integral intermediate
manual mature mediate medium military minimal mutual norm
overlap passive portion preliminary protocol qualitative refine
restrain revolution rigid scenario sphere subordinate
supplement suspend temporary trigger unify violate vision
Academic Word List: Subset 10
adjacent albeit assemble collapse colleague compile conceive
convince depress encounter forthcoming incline integrity intrinsic
invoke levy likewise nonetheless notwithstanding ongoing
panel persist pose reluctance so-called straightforward undergo
whereas whereby

25. Prior Knowledge: How well do I know these words?
Strangers
Acquaintances
Friends

26. Words with multiple meanings:
math/science/
social studies meaning
conversational meaning:
Visual:
Visual:
word
math/science/social studies sentence:
conversational sentence:

27. Key Idea IV: We need both verbal and non-verbal processing.
structure
technical
mechanism

28. Key Idea IV: We need both verbal and non-verbal processing.

29. Key Idea IV: We need both verbal and non-verbal processing.

30. Word Components: Level 1 (usually known in elementary grades)
Prefixes
ex-
pre-
re-
un-
dis-
non-
im-
mis-
mini-
maxi-

31. Word Components: Level 2 (usually known in intermediate grades)
Prefixes
co-; con-; com-
syn-; sym-
in-; en- (into)
sub-; sup- e-
a-; ab-
inter-
intra-
mono-
uni-
bi-; tri-; quad-, etc.
cent-; milli-; mega-
poly-; multi-
omni-
trans-
semi-
bio-; geo-; eco-

32. Word Components: Level 3 (usually known in high school)
Prefixes
pseudo-
demi-
endo-; ecto-
pro-
per-
peri-
hemi-
ob-
bene-
mal-
photo-
nom-
ig-
muni-
contra-
philo-

33. Common Word Roots for Academic Subjects:
Basic:
-ject (to throw)
-port (to carry)
-scrip, scribe (to write)
-vert, vers (to turn)
-pos, pon (to place)
-tract (to draw)
-pel, pul (to drive)
-struct (to build)
-grad, gress (to step)
-plic, plex (to fold)
-flic, flex (to bend)
-fic, fac (to make)
-miss, mit (to send)
-sid, sed (to sit)
-spec (to see)
-voc (to call)
-dict (to say)
-rupt (to break)
Often combine with:
sub re pro-
ex ob per-
de a-; ab- co-
con e-
trans ex-
Often end with:
-ive
-ation; sion
-ate
-able; ible
-or

34. Morphology Chart NOUNS: VERBS: ADJECTIVES: ADVERBS
It’s easier to understand parts of speech than you think. Simply use the cues above. Not all words
follow the same morphology. It’s interesting to see how words morph into different forms.
Morphology Chart
NOUNS:
The_____.
VERBS:
To____
ADJECTIVES:
The ______truck
ADVERBS
Do it___________.

35. Meeting a New Word in Literature:
And they both could feel this queer dry night-desert chill descend
with the moon’s gibbous rise– a powdery wind down below making
dust to shift and cactus needles whistle, the sky’s stars adjusting to
the color of low flame—but were themselves not yet chilled.

36. analysis Similar words: catalyst: agent of change synthesis: a new
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
breakdown
investigation
examination
Analysis: (Greek)
ana= up, against, back
lys= loosen
analysis
Antonyms or near-antonyms:
summary
overview
opinion
Similar words:
catalyst: agent of change
synthesis: a new
combination
Forms: analyze; analytical;
analytically
pl.: analyses
Example:
Non-Example:
Use: An analysis of the data
reveals that although several
key economic indicators show
overall improvement, unemployment
remains high, especially in states that
rely on manufacturing.

37. generate Relatives: genesis general generator genocide gene; genetic
Antonyms or near-antonyms:
die degenerate
extinguish
fade
Forms:
generation; generated;
generating; generational;
generative
Synonyms or
near-synonyms
create
begin
form
formulate
produce
propagate
procreate
reproduce
evolve
originate
engender
promote
generate
Etymology: (Latin
Gen: beginning; origin
Relatives:
genesis
general
generator
genocide
gene; genetic
genre
genuine
genius
Use: The first stage of the writing
process is brainstorming, in which
generate as many ideas as possible.
Example Non-Example:

38. Caprock Academic Vocabulary Concordance: Grade 10
Subset 5 1.
folding is essential.
When doing origami
precise
measurements are required for
figuring out the dimensions of
the angle.
precise 2.
The 3.
precision
tools require high maintenance. 4.
precise
Synthetic diamonds require
cutting. 5.
The Boeing 787 is the result of
precise
engineering. 6.
The owner’s manual illustrates
precisely
how to assemble the bicycle. 7.
precise
geographic locations.
GPS satellites afford

39. Caprock Academic Vocabulary Concordance: Grade 10
Subset 1
of two- thirds Latin-based and
one third Arabic-based words. 1.
Spanish
consists
of roughly half Spanish and half
French words.. 2.
Catalan
consists 3.
consistent
in your daily practice.
To learn to play a musical
instrument, you must be 4.
Jazz
consists
of African elements. 5.
The U.S. government
consists
of three branches: legislative,
judicial, executive. 6.
consists
The Supreme Court
of nine Justices. 7.
Cake batter should have a smooth
consistency
before you bake it.

40. Caprock Academic Vocabulary Concordance: Grade 10
Subset 1
of life on other planets is intriguing. 1.
The
concept 2.
Conception
begins with the union of two cells. 3.
concept
to learn, at first.
Quantum physics can be
a difficult 4.
conceptualize
a world of justice and opportunity.
Idealists 5.
concept
of the Pythagorean theorem is
still used today..
The 6.
speaking, Einstein’s Theory of
Relativity could some day help
us time travel.
Conceptually 7.
He was unable to grasp the
concept
of derivatives in math.

41. Caprock Academic Vocabulary Concordance: Grade 10
Subset 2
the teacher’s attitude as rude and
therefore unprofessional.
The class 1.
perceived
The student’s unwillingness
to comply with directives
led the teacher to 2.
perceive
that she might .need alternative
methods of instruction. 3.
perception
of the viewer.
The angle of a plane can depend on the 4.
perceptions
and observations of the scientist must be objective.
The
a potential problem because of the
river’s current, the captain changed
course. 5.
Perceiving 6.
of its role in the people’s lives is the
basis of its philosophy.
perception
The government’s 7. I
perceive
a problem with the safety rules
not being properly posted.

42. Creating a new oneness— Integrate the parts.
Subset 6
Incorporate
Bring into the mix—
Creating a new oneness—
Integrate the parts.

43. Consequence It occurs later. It happens as a result.
Subset 2
Consequence
It occurs later.
It happens as a result.
An event’s effect.

44. Implement Employ and apply Put to immediate use. Get the plan to work.
Subset 4
Implement
Employ and apply
Put to immediate use.
Get the plan to work.