Overview

• Scalable Vocabulary, or Simple English, can be used to produce information with less complex words and sentence structure.

• Scalable Vocabulary can be created automatically, for example, such as having a computer try and find synonyms for unusual words that are more commonly used. Simple text can also be created by a person going through a passage and re-writing it using more basic English.

• Scalable Vocabulary can be helpful for students who have difficulties with reading comprehension.

To see Scalable Vocaulary in action, check out this video: https://youtu.be/zIudtH-DL1A?si=GkCDSrXrZW3gWF1C

Research

Chiang (2016):

• This study investigated the impact of varying text-level difficulty on reading comprehension and attitudes. 54 university freshmen were given text with varying levels of difficulty, and subsequently, an English Placement Exam.

• The results suggested that varying the difficulty did not significantly affect reading comprehension. However, those with simplified texts had better attitudes towards reading. Students with reading difficulties are also more motivated to read simple texts and prefer them to normal passages

Fajardo et al (2014):

• This study examined the relationship between reading comprehension and linguistic features of easy-to-read texts. 16 students with mild intellectual disability and low levels of reading skills were given easy-to-read texts and completed a subsequent reading comprehension assessment.

• Simple text has been shown to increase reading comprehension in students with mild intellectual disabilities. The results suggest that simplification is generally superior when the reader is at a low level.

Li, Wang, & Xu, (2005):

• This study investigated the effect of two types of text simplification on the second language reading comprehension of 48 Filipino high school students.

• The results suggested that simplified passages increased reading comprehension compared to elaborated passages. However, the study also suggests that simplifying language provides limited advantage to strong readers.

Crossley (2016):

• This study examined text comprehension at varying difficulty levels amongst 48 Spanish-speakers at the high-school or college level.

• Results suggest that simplified texts have consistently demonstrated a greater retention of surface facts (literal readings).

Research Quick Facts

Advantages

• Makes content accessible

• Human created content is very effective

• Shown to increase comprehension

Disadvantages

• Automatic simplifiers are not tested, and often don’t preserve meaning

• Human created content is laboursome for the instructor or, in the case of Wikipedia, open to edit (and therefore has all the general risks of using wikis)

To Consider

• Simplified texts have demonstrated a greater retention of surface facts (literal readings) (Crossley, 2016; Yano, Long, & Ross, 1994), making simple text is an excellent starting point for research and brainstorming.

• The weaker the reader, the more simple text will benefit them. Simple text is not recommended for average to stronger readers who struggle with making advanced connections.

Insights from Practice

AI has increased the utility and quality of scalable vocabulary tools. If a text is too complex for a given student, you can ask AI to re-write the text at a lower grade level so that the student can still engage with the same reading as their peers. You could use a prompt such as "Please rewrite the below text at the lexile range for a grade 3 reading level".