INTRODUCTION
National data shows a huge reading-achievement gap between English language learners
(ELLs) and English-only students (EOs). For example, results of the 2009 National Assessment
of Educational Progress indicated that the percentage of fourth-grade ELLs who tested proficient
in reading was 30% below the percentage of proficient EOs (U.S. Department of Education,
2009). In order for ELLs to experience school success, they must achieve English language
proficiency. Research shows that vocabulary acquisition plays the most crucial role in ELLs’
learning of the English language as well as in school achievement (August, Carlo, Dressler, &
Snow, 2005). There is, therefore, a pressing need for teachers to be able to translate into practice
research related to ELLs’ vocabulary acquisition. This article presents the reasons why
vocabulary learning is immensely critical to ELLs’ English language acquisition.
Severity and Frequency of Vocabulary Errors