The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Vocabulary Levels of Grade Iv Pupils of Castillo Elementary School

Authors

  • Leah Abante
  • Joy Vergara

Keywords:

socioeconomic status, vocabulary level

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Researchers have long acknowledged the important role that vocabulary reading comprehension. Because of the importance of vocabulary, it is necessary to determine how to ensure that all students are making adequate vocabulary gains and if providing additional robust vocabulary instruction is beneficial for students. In this study, we identified the reasons why pupils near the poverty line have limited vocabularies compared to their peers belonging to higher socioeconomic homes.

METHODS

We used Descriptive Qualitative Survey for this study. Home visitations were conducted and a vocabulary test was administered to 27 Grade IV pupils of Castillo Elementary School, 12 males and 15 females.

RESULTS

Vocabulary level is related to socioeconomic factors. Children from families on welfare or near the poverty line often have limited vocabularies in comparison to their peers from higher-socioeconomic households. The vocabularies of high and low ability learners show large individual differences and differences can be attributed to socioeconomic status.Given the important role that vocabulary knowledge plays in reading comprehension, the issue of children from low socioeconomic homes having limited vocabularies is alarming. There is little opportunity for these students to close the vocabulary gap unless the schools provide useful vocabulary instruction.

DISCUSSIONS

Factors such aslower maternal education level, higher number of children in the home, decreased access to literacy materials, lack of exposure to literacy and cultural experiences, amount of talk in the home, and higher likelihood of having a single parent.Research suggests that pupils, especially those belonging to low socioeconomic home, should be provided with rich vocabulary instruction. Rich instruction that includes questioning, providing brief explanations, pointing, clarifying and repeating when teaching higher level vocabulary to promote vocabulary development.

Published

2019-01-18