The Science of Vocabulary Instruction Microcredential
Program Description:
The Science of Vocabulary Instruction is a comprehensive professional learning microcredential designed to support K-6 educators, school leaders and pre-service teachers in strengthening their vocabulary instruction through research-supported, evidence-based practice. Grounded in student-centered, inclusive pedagogy and culturally responsive teaching practices, this 12-hour asynchronous microcredential integrates recommendations for effective practices in both literacy instruction and the content areas.
This microcredential empowers educators to design language-rich learning environments where the intentional exploration of words is seamlessly embedded across whole-class instruction, small-group collaboration, and independent application. Educators will engage with responsive assessment practices and data analysis to provide high-leverage, immediate feedback that drives student word consciousness and growth.
Across each microcourse, participants will analyze the work of prominent vocabulary researchers and translate that research into practical, evidence-based instructional strategies they can implement immediately.
Enroll today and lead the way in vocabulary excellence! Microcourses may be taken individually. Badges and certificates of participation will be given for completion of each microcourse. To earn the microcredential, learners must complete all four microcourses. Cost is $125 for each microcourse, or $425 for the full microcredential.
Microcourse 1: Foundations of Vocabulary Instruction
This introductory microcourse outlines the research foundation for effective vocabulary instruction and unpacks the critical role vocabulary plays in student achievement and equity.
Microcourse 2: Strategic Word Selection, Explicit Instruction & Word-Learning Strategies
This microcourse brings together the interconnected practices of selecting high-impact words, teaching them explicitly, and empowering students to learn words independently.
Microcourse 3: Assessment for Responsive Vocabulary Instruction
This microcourse explores both informal and formal vocabulary assessment practices and demonstrates how to leverage the collected data to drive responsive teaching.
Microcourse 4: Creating Word Conscious Classrooms
This final microcourse highlights comprehensive approaches to creating language-rich environments where curiosity about words is embedded throughout the day and across all content areas.
This microcredential is made up of four asynchronous microcourses. Microcourses may be taken individually. Badges and certificates of participation will be given for completion of each microcourse. To earn the microcredential, learners must complete all four microcourses.
Format: Asynchronous Online Microcourses
Full Microcredential (Microcourses 1-4) Price: $425 - a $75 bundle discount
Individual Microcourse Price: $125 per microcourse
Please Note: This microcredential and its individual microcourses have rolling registration. Once registration is complete, learners will have 6 months to complete their chosen course(s).
For more information, questions or to register: Email tcacademy@tc.columbia.edu
Instructors
Beth Hickey is a primary staff developer. Prior to joining TC Advancing Literacy, Beth taught for 18 years in inclusive settings in New York City. In classrooms, she is known to build rapport with students, teach with their interests at the center of the curriculum, and design instruction that offers entry points for all learners. Beth is passionate about early literacy instruction and believes teaching children to decode, comprehend, and fall in love with books will create lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Beth holds an MA from Teachers College and achieved National Board Certification in literacy.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the relationship between vocabulary, comprehension and culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogies.
- Identify key principles for effective vocabulary instruction based upon research.
- Ensure equitable access to vocabulary instruction for all learners, especially for multilingual learners and learned with targeted language goals, by employing evidence-based strategies.
- Select vocabulary words for direct instruction based upon utility, frequency and instructional importance.
- Implement various explicit instructional methods to teach identified words.
- Foster independent vocabulary growth through the teaching of word-learning strategies.
- Evaluate the utility of various formal and informal assessment tools to accurately gauge students’ breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge.
- Design and deliver responsive feedback and differentiated instruction for vocabulary acquisition based directly on the data gathered from formal and informal student assessments.
- Design classroom environments that maximize daily opportunities for students’ incidental word learning.
- Cultivate a classroom culture that actively fosters curiosity and playfulness with words by encouraging metacognitive discussion and exploration of word origins, functions, and connections.
- Integrate effective vocabulary instruction into all subject areas and throughout the entire school day to ensure consistent and varied exposure to new words and concepts.
- Develop practical, culturally responsive communication strategies for connecting with families and the community to honor and leverage diverse language practices in support of students' academic vocabulary growth.
- Understand the relationship between vocabulary, comprehension and culturally relevant and sustaining pedagogies.
- Identify key principles for effective vocabulary instruction based upon research.
- Ensure equitable access to vocabulary instruction for all learners, especially for multilingual learners and learned with targeted language goals, by employing evidence-based strategies.
- Select vocabulary words for direct instruction based upon utility, frequency and instructional importance.
- Implement various explicit instructional methods to teach identified words.
- Foster independent vocabulary growth through the teaching of word-learning strategies.
- Ensure equitable access to vocabulary instruction for all learners by employing evidence-based strategies.
- Evaluate the utility of various formal and informal assessment tools to accurately gauge students’ breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge.
- Design and deliver responsive feedback and differentiated instruction for vocabulary acquisition based directly on the data gathered from formal and informal student assessments.
- Design classroom environments that maximize daily opportunities for students’ incidental word learning.
- Cultivate a classroom culture that actively fosters curiosity and playfulness with words by encouraging metacognitive discussion and exploration of word origins, functions, and connections.
- Integrate effective vocabulary instruction into all subject areas and throughout the entire school day to ensure consistent and varied exposure to new words and concepts.
- Develop practical, culturally responsive communication strategies for connecting with families and the community to honor and leverage diverse language practices in support of students' academic vocabulary growth.
Who Should Attend
These microcourses are open to K-6 educators, school leaders and pre-service teachers and all educators who wish to deepen their knowledge of research-based vocabulary instruction.
Upon Completion
Participants who successfully complete all four microcourses of this microcredential will earn a verified Certificate of Participation and an official Digital Badge—valuable credentials that showcase your commitment to professional growth and can be shared on LinkedIn or digital portfolios. View our sample microcredential badge below.
Additionally, a Certificate and Digital Badge will be awarded for each individual microcourse completed, recognizing your achievements every step of the way. View our sample microcourse badge below.
Sample Badges:
Licensed educators in NY state are also eligible for a Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE) certificate for a total of 12 CTLE hours for the microcredential or 3 CTLEs for each individual microcourse.