The development of vocabulary can be described as a wide, complex and deep, incremental process, as students learn the words they need to know in order to effectively comprehend and communicate (Konza, 2011; Hempenstall, 2016). Words are generally considered to be the currency of education, and throughout their formal education students will learn approximately 3000-4000 words per year (Balchowics & Fisher, 2014). Vocabulary supports learning to read and reading to learn, and is essential to successful reading and broader academic achievement (Konza, 2011). Vocabulary knowledge extends beyond a simple definition of a word, and it generally takes several encounters with a new word for students to learn it and understand its application in different contexts (Hempenstall, 2016; Ebbers & Denton, 2008).
overview |