Building Strong Vocabulary for Reading Success
As a private reading tutor and structured literacy expert, I understand that teaching explicit vocabulary is important for students. Reading is not just about sounding out words. Knowing what words mean is at the heart of comprehension—and comprehension is the goal of all reading.
Vocabulary is one of the most powerful tools a child can develop on their journey to becoming a confident reader. Strong word knowledge doesn’t just help children recognize words—it also unlocks deeper comprehension, making reading meaningful and enjoyable. At Lamorinda Reads, I believe that targeted vocabulary instruction is one of the best ways a private reading tutor can provide lasting reading support for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges.
Why Teaching Vocabulary through Structured Literacy Matters
Vocabulary is the bridge between sounding out words and understanding what they mean. Children who know more words can recognize them more quickly, connect them to background knowledge, and grasp the meaning of texts. Research shows that vocabulary growth is linked to stronger phonological awareness in the early years and stronger comprehension skills later in school.
In other words: without vocabulary, reading becomes a struggle of guessing. With vocabulary, reading becomes a tool for thinking, learning, and exploring.
Explicit Vocabulary Instruction with the Slingerland Approach
The most effective reading support includes direct teaching of new words. Instead of expecting students to “pick up” vocabulary by chance, tutors and teachers should introduce challenging, meaningful words.
For example, if the word is segregation, a private reading tutor might:
Provide a student-friendly definition (“Segregation means keeping groups of people apart.”)
Show visuals or real-world examples.
Connect the word to related terms (like separate or divide).
Ask the student to use it in a sentence.
This type of structured literacy instruction ensures that students don’t just memorize a definition—they build a lasting mental connection to the word.
How Vocabulary Grows
Children start school already knowing thousands of words, but as academic demands increase, they need to add thousands more each year. Research shows that students gain about 3,000 new words annually, which is roughly seven words a day. Some words are picked up naturally through conversation and reading, while others need to be taught directly.
A strong vocabulary has three layers:
Breadth – how many words a student knows.
Depth – how well they know the meanings and shades of those words.
Fluency – how quickly they can recall and use them in reading, writing, and conversation.
A private reading tutor can help students strengthen all three areas by providing structured, consistent exposure to new words in meaningful contexts.
Teaching Vocabulary Effectively
Because there are too many words in English to teach one at a time, reading support needs to focus on the most useful words. Educators often group vocabulary into tiers:
Tier 1: Everyday words (like dog, house, run) that most students learn naturally.
Tier 2: High-utility academic words (like analyze, process, approach) that appear across subjects—these are the biggest focus in tutoring.
Tier 3: Subject-specific words (like photosynthesis or molecule) that are tied to certain topics.
Effective instruction blends direct teaching with opportunities to encounter words in rich contexts, like stories, discussions, or projects.
Practice and Processing Activities
Learning a word once isn’t enough. Students need 12–20 exposures before a word is firmly understood. A good reading tutor uses multiple activities to give children practice:
Semantic maps: linking words by categories or meanings.
Sentence generation: using the new word in writing.
Games and visuals: sorting, matching, or acting out words.
These activities help children move from recognition to deep understanding, which is essential for independent reading.
Incidental “On Purpose” Instruction
Not every vocabulary lesson has to be planned in advance. Rich oral language environments—whether at home, school, or tutoring sessions—offer countless opportunities to teach words naturally.
During a shared reading session, a tutor might pause to explain unfamiliar words. In conversation, a parent might expand a child’s language by describing what they’re doing (“You’re stacking blocks—that’s called building a tower.”).
The key is to be intentional: seizing natural moments to expand word knowledge.
Practical Strategies for Building Vocabulary
Whether at home or during tutoring sessions, these approaches help students make new words “stick”:
Student-friendly definitions – Use simple explanations, not dictionary-style definitions.
Visuals and word maps – Connect words to images, synonyms, and examples.
Multiple exposures – Revisit words in different contexts: reading, writing, and conversation.
Word play – Games, riddles, and word sorts keep practice engaging.
Encouraging curiosity – When a child asks about a new word, take the time to explore it together.
Independent Word Learning Strategies
As students get older, they need strategies to figure out new words on their own. A private reading tutor can model and practice skills such as:
Using context clues in a sentence or paragraph.
Breaking down words into prefixes, roots, and suffixes (morphemes).
Making connections with cognates (helpful for English learners).
These strategies empower students to keep learning outside of lessons, building confidence and independence.
Fostering Word Curiosity
Beyond instruction and practice, we want children to love words. Developing word consciousness—an awareness and curiosity about language—helps students notice, play with, and experiment with new vocabulary. Tutors and parents can encourage this by:
Playing word games and riddles.
Exploring idioms, jokes, and multiple-meaning words.
Reading a wide range of books that introduce rich vocabulary.
When children are curious about words, they begin to collect them the way others collect treasures.
Why Vocabulary Support Matters
Strong vocabulary unlocks access to academic language—the kind of words used in classrooms, textbooks, and tests. Without targeted reading support, many students—especially those with dyslexia or language-based learning differences—struggle to build the word knowledge they need to thrive.
As a private reading tutor, I see how intentional vocabulary instruction not only improves comprehension but also builds confidence. When students have the words to express themselves, they participate more fully in discussions, understand new material, and feel empowered as readers and learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does a private reading tutor teach vocabulary differently from school instruction?
A private reading tutor provides personalized lessons, selecting words based on a child’s reading level and needs. This one-on-one attention makes it easier to introduce challenging words in a way that’s engaging and effective.
Q: My child struggles with comprehension—should we focus more on vocabulary?
Yes. Weak comprehension is often linked to limited vocabulary. Strengthening word knowledge gives children the tools they need to understand what they read.
Q: What are fun ways to practice vocabulary at home?
Word games, storytelling, book discussions, and even cooking together (naming and describing ingredients) can make learning words fun and memorable.
Final Thoughts
Vocabulary is the foundation of reading success. It connects word recognition with comprehension, giving children the ability to understand, think, and learn from text. At Lamorinda Reads, my structured approach to vocabulary ensures that every child I work with receives meaningful, lasting reading support.
Whether through explicit instruction, word games, or everyday conversations, building vocabulary transforms struggling readers into confident learners. With the right guidance from a private reading tutor, children can unlock the power of words—and the joy of reading.
