Teaching new words is important: we know that a robust vocabulary underpins and improves our ability to communicate via listening, speaking, reading and writing. Yet, the explicit teaching of ambitious vocabulary does not guarantee retention and deep learning of new words for our pupils. In fact, exposition of new vocabulary could be thought of as the beginning of the journey of a word. We must then turn our attention to how we embed recently-taught vocabulary in order for pupils to consolidate secure understandings.

Matthew Western

Leader of Learning at Torriano Primary, the lead school in the North London Alliance Research School