Teach Vocabulary in Speech Therapy

A Research-Based Framework for Speech-Language Pathologists

To teach vocabulary effectively in speech therapy, instruction must be intentional, explicit, and designed for carryover. Vocabulary is the foundation of language, yet many students—especially those with developmental language disorder (DLD)—struggle to learn and retain new words without structured support.

Because therapy time is limited, SLPs need clear guidance on what words to teach, how to teach vocabulary, and how to support long-term retention. This page outlines a practical, research-based framework you can use in real therapy sessions.

Why Teaching Vocabulary Requires a Plan

Many students receiving speech therapy have difficulty:

• Learning new words efficiently
• Understanding word meanings deeply
• Using vocabulary flexibly across settings

Incidental exposure alone is often not enough. To teach vocabulary effectively, students need direct instruction paired with repeated, meaningful practice.

Reference: The Informed SLP.

How to Teach Vocabulary in Speech Therapy

When you teach vocabulary, the goal is not simply word recognition—it is depth of word knowledge. Students should understand how words relate to other words and how they function in real communication.

Effective vocabulary instruction includes:

• Explicit teaching of word meaning
• Multiple exposures across contexts
• Opportunities to relate words to known concepts
• Ongoing review over time

Reference: What Works in Therapy: Further Thoughts on Improving Clinical Practice for Children With Language Disorders and Retrieval-Based Word Learning in Young Typically Developing Children and Children With Developmental Language Disorder I: The Benefits of Repeated Retrieval, a combination is best!

Choosing the Right Words to Teach Vocabulary

Why Tier 2 Vocabulary Matters

Not all vocabulary targets are equally effective. Tier 2 words provide the greatest return on therapy time.

Tier 2 vocabulary consists of:

• High-frequency words
• Words used across subjects and settings
• Words that support academic and functional language

Examples include: compare, explain, measure, follow.

Because students encounter these words throughout the day, they benefit from repeated exposure and stronger generalization.

Tier 2 Vocabulary in Speech Therapy

Explicit vs. Implicit Vocabulary Instruction

A common question when planning therapy is whether to teach vocabulary through:

• Explicit drill-based instruction
• Or implicit, literacy-based exposure

Research supports a combined approach.

What Research Shows

• Explicit instruction supports initial learning
• Implicit exposure supports generalization
• Spaced review supports long-term retention

To teach vocabulary effectively, students need all three.

What It Means to Teach Vocabulary for Depth

Vocabulary depth refers to how well a student understands and uses a word—not just whether they can label it.

Depth is built by focusing on:

• Background knowledge
• Clear definitions
• Phonological awareness (spelling, rhyming)
• Word relationships
  • Categories
  • Functions
  • Synonyms
  • Antonyms
• Practice in varied contexts
• Review over time

Teaching fewer words well is often more effective than teaching many words superficially.

Structuring Vocabulary Therapy Sessions

A practical way to teach vocabulary in speech therapy is to structure sessions into three parts:

1. Explicit Teaching

• Introduce Tier 2 words
• Teach definitions
• Use visuals and examples
• Relate new words to known concepts

2. Natural Learning

• Practice words during reading or conversation
• Use literacy-based activities
• Encourage functional language use

3. Review

• Revisit previously taught words
• Use spaced retrieval
• Reinforce meaning across sessions

This structure allows vocabulary instruction to fit naturally into therapy without overwhelming students.

Vocabulary Learning Materials That Support This Framework

To teach vocabulary effectively, materials should:

• Support explicit and implicit instruction
• Allow for repeated exposure
• Be flexible across therapy settings
• Require minimal prep

Many vocabulary resources inside the Speech Therapy Talk Membership are designed as no-print Google Slides, making them easy to use for teletherapy and in-person sessions.

(Internal link: Vocabulary Learning Materials)

Access Vocabulary Materials

For Members

Vocabulary materials aligned with this framework are available inside the Speech Therapy Talk Membership.

Access Vocabulary Materials

Not a Member Yet?

Membership includes:

• Tier 2 vocabulary resources
• Language therapy materials
• Articulation supports
• Teletherapy-friendly tools
• Home practice resources

Explore the Speech Therapy Talk Membership

Want Free Vocabulary Materials?

If you’d like to try materials before joining, you can sign up to receive a free speech or language resource each month.

This is a simple way to explore how vocabulary is taught inside the membership.