Vocabulary instruction: Teacher perceptions and classroom observations

This study investigates the relationships between theory-based vocabulary research (Anderson and Freebody, 1981; Mezynski, 1983), teacher perceptions of the effectiveness and usability of twelve vocabulary strategies on a researcher-developed survey, and observations in content area classrooms during vocabulary instruction. Among the findings, the following are major: (1) Each hypothesis offers differing instructional implications for vocabulary instruction; (2) the responses on the survey indicate that strategies implied by the Knowledge Hypothesis are the most effective and strategies implied by the Instrumental Hypothesis are the most usable; (3) observations of five teachers indicate that observed behaviors, reported practices, and personal reports are inconsistent; and (4) triangulation of the three data sources reveals some consistency and some contradictions. Implications for future research, teacher education and practice are discussed