In the article, “Narrowing the Language Gap:  The Case for Explicit Vocabulary Instruction,” Kevin Feldman and Kate Kinsella argue passionately about the importance of mindful vocabulary knowledge building in our school aged children(and especially the long term English learners).  According to the authors, even though many experts and researchers have been showing us that strong vocabulary skills are very important for successful academic careers, and even though this particular information has been available to us educators for many decades, there have not been strong enough efforts in building quality lexiconic skills in our students.

I am curious as to why, when there are studies that show the need for a focus on establishment of a strong lexicon base, the educators have not jumped on it.  I would love to know what has been the cause of this disconnect and how we can improve this practice or the lack there of.

I agree with the authors that vocabulary building should not rely solely on impromptu, spontaneous learning opportunities.  I also agree that structured planning must go into providing a quality English learning experience.  I have personally found, both as a teacher and as a student in a learning mode, that a guided learning of new vocabulary words is immensely helpful and an enjoyable way to learn new words.

The more in depth the learning is for the learner and the more layered the experiences are that take place, the better the overall retention of the information would take place.  It makes logical sense to me that wide reading of various genres and becoming self-aware of one’s own learning methods can be a powerful asset to the learner.

The point is to equip our children so that they will be ready to succeed in the higher learning environments.  Doing this will help them succeed in school and offer them a leg up, or at the least allow them an even playing field with others as they move ahead in higher learning environments and afterwards, in the career fields of their choice.

Here is one of the many great talks by Kate Kinsella :