Dr. Michelle Francis

Last week, Dr. Michelle Francis presented at this year’s Foundations for Student Success Reading Summer Institute.

Her topic was on the link between vocabulary development and reading comprehension.

Although it is difficult for instructors to design vocabulary lessons for a group of students when they are taking different classes and have different vocabulary needs, it is especially important for developmental education students to expand their vocabularies to better understand the different types of academic reading they encounter in their studies.

Dr. Francis provided practical, interactive strategies for teaching vocabulary.

She skillfully modeled innovative ways faculty can improve their vocabulary instruction.

Also, she demonstrated more creative ways to assess students’ vocabulary than typical multiple choice tests and textbook activities.

Her content and presentation style were engaging, entertaining and enlightening.