The Definitions project is a collaborative effort between Dr. Maria Carlo and a team at the University of South Florida’s Rightpath Center, in partnership with the University of Miami.
The research team is conducting a series of experimental studies designed to improve instructional strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs). The goal is to help these students determine the meanings of unfamiliar words during independent reading to enhance overall text comprehension.
Key Research Focus
Project-developed activities and assessments test how various factors impact word learning for Spanish-speaking fourth graders, including:
-
Language of Instruction: Comparing definitions provided in English versus Spanish.
-
Contextual Support: Analyzing the effectiveness of surrounding text clues.
-
Cognate Status: Evaluating how similar-sounding words across languages affect retention.
Project Impact
Findings from these studies will guide the development of future interventions aimed at building the academic vocabulary ELLs need to succeed across the full curriculum. Additionally, the research will help inform the types of testing accommodations provided to ELLs on standardized assessments.
