About the Intervention
Word Learning Strategies (WLS) is a supplementary curriculum designed to develop upper-elementary students' vocabulary acquisition skills to improve reading comprehension, particularly for English learners and students from low-income backgrounds. The program teaches students to use context clues, word parts, and dictionaries to learn the meanings of unknown words, with Spanish-speaking English learners receiving additional instruction in using cognates and all English learners receiving instruction in recognizing idioms. WLS provides 15 weeks of whole-class instruction delivered three days per week for about 30 minutes per day, plus additional web-based remedial lessons for students who need more practice, three web-based lessons on Spanish cognates for Spanish-speaking English learner students, and three web-based lessons on idioms for all English learners. The program uses teacher-led direct explanation with constructivist elements and includes online tutorials and videos to prepare teachers, a detailed teacher manual with day-by-day lesson plans, presentation materials, student activity books, quizzes, and tests. Teachers participated in approximately 3 hours of professional development provided by WestEd before implementation.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on vocabulary learning as measured by the Word Learning Strategies Test
No effect: on vocabulary achievement as measured by VASE
No effect: on reading comprehension as measured by GMRT
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Economically Disadvantaged, English LearnersPrograms & Services
General EducationDelivery Methods
Face-to-Face, Online – AsynchronousDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Student(s), Teachers/Instructional TeamsCitation
Cathy, R., Kylie, F., Linlin, L., Rachel Grimes, T. & Thomas, L. (2019). Improving Elementary School Students' Vocabulary Skills and Reading Comprehension through a Word Learning Strategies Program (ED604594). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED604594.pdf.
Study Demographics
These charts show the demographic makeup and geographic setting of the research study that evaluated this intervention's efficacy. When assessing the fit of an intervention, consider whether it was found effective in a context similar to your own.
Participant Race
What was the racial breakdown of this study's data sample?
Participant Gender
What was the gender breakdown of this study's data sample?
Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
What was the setting of this study?