Vocabulary

Vocabulary Guidelines for ELLs:

Tier one words:

Words that ELLs typically know in their native language, but not in English. These words can often be easily taught by pointing at a picture of the English word
Tier one words often have words that typically have a visual example to go along with the word. For example, "march" can be demonstrated by marching in place

Tier two words:

More abstract words that relate to the understanding of a text: settings, plot, characters, etc.
Words that have connections to other words or concepts
Words that understand general concepts or descriptions: ashamed, sets, tables (for math), shy, etc.

Tier three words:

Low-frequency words such as procrastinate, amoeba, or words that are not demonstrable or cognates

Vocabulary for ELLs

Consists of high-frequency words and academic content words
The first 1,000 words of high-frequency words are 84% of the words used in conversation and about 73% of words in academic texts

Dolch's List of Basic Sight Words: http://www.literacyconnections.com/Dolch1.php/

High-Frequency Sight Words: http://www.literacyconnections.com/high-frequency-sight-words/

For students to comprehend a text without assistance, they must know about 90% of the words
New ELL students will benefit from Dolch's list for sight words or the first 500 lists.
Intermediate ELL students will benefit from words on the 2,000s list.

Beginning Level for Vocabulary Strategies

Total Physical Response: Introduces students to frequently used commands in the classroom in a way that quickly teaches and reinforces specific words. Classroom procedures can be connected through language and body language since one can model what is expected as one states directions out loud. It is best used for three-four word directions.

Read-Alouds: Help ELLs become familiar with the sounds and rhythms of the English language.

Words Cards: A strategy to use to teach and put focus on one particular vocabulary word based on the level of the student. As they start to grasp the meaning of the word, vocabulary games can be introduced as a way to review and reinforce vocabulary lessons in a fun, engaging way.

Resource for Vocabulary Word Sorts

Vocabulary games: Words Their Way

Intermediate Level for Vocabulary Strategies

Word Wheels: An effective group activity to practice writing and speaking skills, while developing a larger selection of word synonyms.

Language Wheels: Helpful for verb conjugations, adjectives, adverbs, and cognates.

Here is one resource that provides available choices for verbs: English Go

Contextual Redefinition: A strategy to build word-identifying skills by looking for context clues or words in the surrounding text. We can help students understand how to figure out the meaning of an unknown word by looking at cues in the surrounding text. To be beneficial, the text should be relatable and the student should be able to have background knowledge of the text. We do this with students who are learning to read. However, the text needs to be "rich enough" in meaning clues and the student needs to have some background knowledge of the topic.

Colorín Colorado. (2019, December 20). Selecting vocabulary words to teach English language learners. Colorín Colorado. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/selecting-vocabulary-words-teach-english-language-learners

Honig, B., Diamond, L., Gutlohn, L., & Cole, C. L. (2018). In Teaching reading sourcebook (pp. 405–418). essay, CORE.

Oral language practices for ELL students using technology.

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