Vocabulary instruction in an elementary Spanish immersion classroom

The research question addressed in this project is, how does Graves\u27 (2006) four-part comprehensive framework for teaching vocabulary influence language production in an elementary Spanish-immersion classroom? Students learning content through a second language face unique challenges when learning vocabulary. The researcher sought to discover best practices for teaching vocabulary in a language immersion environment. A key influence for this capstone is vocabulary expert Michael Graves, who developed a four-part framework for teaching vocabulary. This capstone details the implementation of Graves\u27 four components in a classroom: 1) providing rich and varied language experiences 2) teaching individual words 3) teaching word learning strategies 4) building word consciousness. The researcher describes the positive outcomes and limitations of her action research. She concludes that the four-part framework is an effective tool for language immersion teachers, in particular the component of building word consciousness