"
Skip to Content
Version 1.2 – Updated June 2023

Vocabulary programs

Overview

  • Influence: Vocabulary programs
  • Domain: Curricula
  • Sub-Domain: Reading, writing and the arts
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Potential to considerably accelerate
  • Influence Definition: Programs to build the student's vocabulary, subject matter vocabulary, and make connections to other words.

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 12
  • Number of studies: 419
  • Number of students: 8,859
  • Number of effects: 824
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.62
  • Robustness index: 4

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author First Author's Country Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Review of Educational Research Stahl & Fairbanks USA The effects of vocabulary instruction: A model-based meta-analysis 1986 Vocabulary interventions 41 0 41 0.97
Education and Training of the Mentally Retarded Arnold, Myette, & Casto USA Relationships of Language Intervention Efficacy to Certain Subject Characteristics in Mentally Retarded Preschool Children: A Meta-Analysis 1986 Language intervention 30 0 87 0.59
Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders Nye, Foster, & Seaman USA Effectiveness of language intervention with the language/learning disabled 1987 Language intervention 61 0 299 1.04
Dissertation Xiong USA A Meta-analysis on the Effects of Vocabulary Instruction for English Learners 2020 Vocabulary interventions 45 2,805 65 0.36
Dissertation Won USA The effects of vocabulary instruction on English language learners: A meta-analysis 2008 Vocabulary interventions 43 2,991 43 0.69
Dissertation Poirier USA The effectiveness of language intervention with preschool handicapped children: an integrative review 1989 Language intervention 61 0 61 0.50
Dissertation Marmolejo USA The effects of vocabulary instruction with poor readers: a meta-analysis 1990 Vocabulary interventions 15 0 52 0.69
Journal of Research and Development in Education Klesius & Searls USA A meta-analysis of recent research in meaning vocabulary instruction 1990 Vocabulary interventions 39 0 39 0.50
Computer Assisted Language Learning Abraham USA Computer-mediated glosses in second language reading comprehension and vocabulary learning: A meta-analysis 2008 Using word glosses on vocabulary learning 11 0 11 0.73
Conference Elleman, Lindo, Morphy & Compton USA Effective programs in elementary mathematics: A best- evidence synthesis 2009 Vocabulary interventions 28 0 28 0.69
Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness Marulis & Neuman USA The impact of vocabulary instruction on passage-level comprehension of school-age children: A meta-analysis 2010 Vocabulary interventions on comprehension 37 3,063 44 0.10
Dissertation Romero USA Instruction for Vocabulary Development of English Language Learners: A Meta-analysis  2011 Instruction on English language learners vocabulary 8 0 54 0.26
TOTAL/AVERAGE 419 8,859 824 0.59
Back to top