Learning Vocabulary Through Reading
This study examined the hypothesis that new vocabulary knowledge can be acquired through incidental learning of word meanings from context. Fifth graders of two reading abilities read passages containing unfamiliar words. Students were randomly assigned to different numbers of context presentations: 0, 2, 6, or 10 passages read over several days. Half of the unfamiliar words were informally taught before their appearance in the passages. Word meanings were learned from context, and more frequent presentation in context increased learning. Also, better readers profited more from context than did less skilled readers, and prior exposure (informal teaching) resulted in greater learning. Vocabulary effects were also observed on a measure of reading comprehension. Whether incidental learning accounts for vocabulary growth is discussed.
In 1899 Thorstein Veblen wrote a seminal monograph on the subject of consumption and leisure. ::: His work, The Theory of the Leisure Class, is one of the most enduring examples of status-seeking ::: individuals� conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure practices, particularly when applied ::: to the tourist industry, and furthermore, is still relevant in today�s economic climate. This article ::: develops an independent theory of backpackers and how they can be perceived as undertaking ::: conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure practices. This is done using Veblen�s work as ::: a foundation. Qualitative methods using in-depth interviews and participant observation techniques ::: are employed to obtain data from 41 participants. The findings serve to highlight the fact that ::: Veblen�s thesis is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1899.