Top 5 Reasons Why Vocabulary Matters

There has been a big push the last 10-15 years to improve students’ vocabulary skills, but do you know why?

Here are the top 5 reasons why vocabulary is so important:

1 It Improves Reading Comprehension.

Research has shown that kids need to understand 98% of the words they read to understand what they are reading. Improving vocabulary skills will improve their understanding of novels and textbooks.

 

2 It’s Important to Language Development.

Children who develop a rich vocabulary tend to be deeper thinkers, express themselves better and read more. Improving language and literacy skills early in life will help them be more successful academically and communicatively.

 

3 Communicating Ideas.

Successful communication or “saying what you mean” is dependent upon a good vocabulary base. Using the right words when talking, makes you a more effective communicator.

 

4 Expressing Yourself in Writing.

Having a good vocabulary to draw from can help you write more effectively. Students need to use a more formal tone when writing – not conversational language – and to do that, they need a richer vocabulary to tap into those words we don’t use when we speak.

 

5 Occupational Success.

Researcher Johnson O’Connor found that “a person’s vocabulary level is the best single predictor of occupational success.”* Success in the business place depends on your communication skills.

 

Looking for a way to help learners deeply, effectively, and efficiently acquire Tier 2 vocabulary?

InferCabulary is a K-12, online, visual vocabulary and critical thinking tool. Students encounter real world images combined with rich oral language that helps provide multiple, rich, encounters needed to deeply acquire the meanings of nuanced words. The program mimics the act of wide and avid reading, while also supporting visualization skills, building background knowledge, and overall critical thinking. Learn more here. 

 

Deena Seifert, M.S., CCC-SLP

Co-founder, InferCabulary

References: https://litemind.com/top-3-reasons-to-improve-your-vocabulary/