How to Teach Vocabulary to Your Students

Research shows that vocabulary knowledge can be indicator for future student success. Vocabulary instruction has a strong relation to comprehension, which can, in turn, positively impact student achievement. Learn how to effectively teach vocabulary to ensure students build a robust vocabulary repertoire to be successful in the classroom and beyond. 

8 engaging ways to teach vocabulary

A common misconception of vocabulary instruction is that it simply consists of students writing down word definitions. However, the process of true language acquisition involves much more than copying down definitions from a dictionary. To have a true grasp of vocabulary, students need to understand applicable Greek and Latin roots and be able to change a word’s form into an adjective, verb, or noun, as well as spell words correctly. Engage students in effective vocabulary building with the following vocabulary instructional practices from the National Reading Panel. 

1. Vocabulary should be taught both directly and indirectly

Direct instruction includes vocabulary as part of the lesson plan. This approach may involve utilizing pre-teaching, graphic organizers, or discussing usage and grammatical implications. Conversely, indirect instruction models the use of academic words in a teacher’s writing or conversation.

For example, if a vocabulary word in your unit was “monarch,” instead of merely referring to King George III as the leader of Great Britain at the time, be sure to utilize the word “monarch” as much as possible. This gives the term more context, allowing students to draw connections between it and other material they learn.

2. Repetition and recurring exposure to vocabulary items are important

Students will not add a word to their vocabulary organically if they’ve only heard it once, or without applying the word in daily usage. Spiraling vocabulary—reusing new vocabulary throughout your lessons—is a highly effective practice for vocabulary instruction.

3. Learning in rich, real-world contexts is valuable

Students will retain new vocabulary effectively if the word is given more context than just the definition in the dictionary. Consider when, how, and why a word was (or is still) used in a historical, political, or social context. Words are rarely thrown around in isolation, so context plays a key role in how words are used and interpreted in speech and writing. The more context a student is given for a particular vocabulary word, the better they’ll be able to retain its meaning and assimilate it into their daily usage.

4. Vocabulary tasks should be restructured when necessary

Consider switching up vocabulary activities when necessary. Have your students use models, such as the Frayer model, to thoroughly explore the meaning and applications of a new vocabulary word. Show pictures related to the word and ask students to describe other terms that could be used in a conversation related to the picture. This can provide students with additional context for a vocabulary term. Additionally, learning apps and other technology can be used to help teach vocabulary. 

5. Vocabulary instruction should entail active engagement in learning tasks

Active engagement is more than simply completing a rote assignment. Ask students to inquire, research, and create, even within vocabulary tasks. For example, you could assign students a vocabulary word scavenger hunt where they scour the Internet for relevant, authentic uses of a given word. Consider having students search through articles, speeches, poems, and song lyrics.

6. Vocabulary can be acquired through incidental learning

Have you ever learned something without attending a class or consciously trying to study? Everyone has and that’s what’s known as incidental learning. It stands in contrast to deliberate learning, which is what’s usually practiced in a formal classroom setting through instruction. Both have their value, but incidental learning is particularly effective for incorporating new vocabulary words into daily usage. Have students search their everyday life for uses of new vocabulary words. This gives students additional context and helps them retain the meanings of new words through association.

7. How you teach, assess, and evaluate vocabulary matters

Make sure your students know how their vocabulary comprehension will be assessed. Vary vocabulary assessments just like you vary your instruction. Traditional summative tests can be useful, but so can inquiry projects, writing, or other application-based assessments, such as using a term correctly in an academic discussion.

8. Dependence on a single vocabulary instruction method will not result in optimal learning

According to the National Reading Panel, dependence on a single vocabulary instruction method will not result in optimal learning. Consider a multi-faceted approach to vocabulary instruction. Think about developing engaging vocabulary instruction through writing, speaking, and inquiry assignments. 

Teaching vocabulary is key to student success

Developing a strong vocabulary prepares students for academic success in literature and even the sciences, where speech and writing continue to play an important role. By using each of these different ways to teach vocabulary, you will be helping your students to draw connections between new vocabulary words and their daily life, and they will be able to retain the meanings of these terms well more effectively beyond your classroom.

This article was adapted from a blog post initially developed by the education technology company Classcraft, which was acquired by HMH in 2023. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.

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